1966 Coupe - time to upgrade!

[PaxtonShelby]

Work and everything else has interfered with garage time the last 2 months. I moved El Toro to my Dad's place to give me more room to work on the '66. I'm definitely tired of this little 2-car garage.

Koni has proven to be useless - no call returned regarding my broken front shock. I wanted to rebuild it but F Koni - I just ordered sport valved Bilsteins from Street Or Track. They should be here next week.

I have to move some brake lines so hopefully my buddy has a tubing bender I can borrow.

I know - lame update but that's what's up.

[PaxtonShelby]

Progress is still slow...but some things are getting done. Front brake lines have been relocated. And there is plenty of clearance between the calipers and the front wheels. After some research, I found the stock 28 spline Lincoln axles and Traction-Lok carrier probably wouldn't survive drag and twisty track time on sticky tires. The good news is my housing and pumpkin are more than strong enough. So the beastly 9" housing is out and with my buddy Gary for an upgrade - 31 spline aftermarket axles and a new carrier. What carrier has yet to be determined, but it won't be a Ford Traction-Lok as Gary says it won't survive. So he's going to research what would be best for an all purpose car and let me know the $ damage. Hopefully in 2 weeks I'll have it back, give it some fresh paint, and be ready to bolt it in and install the rear brakes...and get the car back off the jack stands.

[Ares]

Look into a Detroit True Trac. Worm gear style using 3 pinions per side. No clutches to wear out. I abused one for few years until putting a spool in.

[PaxtonShelby]

Look into a Detroit True Trac. Worm gear style using 3 pinions per side. No clutches to wear out. I abused one for few years until putting a spool in.

Thanks for that info. So...With no clutches...I assume it is metal to metal inside? How would that hold up on a road course? Could it wear out....and if so...is it rebuildable? I'm curious if it can handle 550 horses and sticky tires.

[Ares]

Thanks for that info. So...With no clutches...I assume it is metal to metal inside? How would that hold up on a road course? Could it wear out....and if so...is it rebuildable? I'm curious if it can handle 550 horses and sticky tires.

Each side there is a gear that the axles go into. Then the diff body is machined for the three worm gears per side. I was only 320rwhp but leaving at 6500+ rpm on slicks for years with it. Only issue I ever had was right side plate that carrier bearing goes on. The bolts that retain it loosened slightly. Which let that side plate move slightly. I think that has been changed to use dowel pins to keep side plate from moving. On mine I cleaned out bolt holes and tightened them back in with red Loctite. Never and issue again. No issue on ring gear side ever.

Found pics of inside of my 8.8 unit.

[PaxtonShelby]

Ares was right on the money with his recommendation. I asked around and ended up making some big changes. Eaton Detroit Tru Trac carrier. Currie nodular case. 31 spline axles. Daytona pinion support. Nice set of Ford 3.50 gears. All set up now and ready to go. All I have to do is paint the case with some red oxide-ish paint and I'm in business. Housing is all cleaned and painted. Hopefully the rear end and rear brakes will be installed this week.

[wick]

That pinion is a little on the deep side for my liking. Should be closer to the center of the ring gear tooth.

[PaxtonShelby]

Painted and ready to install tomorrow...

And look Dan!! My jackstands aren't under a car for a change!

[wick]

Did you re shim that pinion?

[PaxtonShelby]

I definitely appreciate your input. My gear guy liked the pattern. He has set up hundreds of rears over the years so I have confidence in him. It is super quiet when turned. Maybe my pic wasn't great.

[Dan B.]

And look Dan!! My jackstands aren't under a car for a change!

What are those silver and blue things in the upper left pic with the rear housing? How do those work??

[Ares]

Wow that looks so much smaller than the 8.8 version. Has to be much lighter too. The one I had for my 8.8 weighed as much as my spool/ring gear together.

[PaxtonShelby]

I don't know - it is pretty damn heavy. The Versailles housings were narrowed truck housings - with heavier midsections to which the tubes were welded. Pretty stout stuff. I bet the whole assembly weighs over 200 pounds even with 28 spline axles. The new 31 spline axles are quite a bit heavier. Hopefully I will have it under the car tonight.

[PaxtonShelby]

This project has been a slow and painful one. For some reason I have had problems getting the rear calipers to fit over the rotors due to misalignment. Currently I have the spacers at a machine shop to be milled to a thickness that should allow everything to bolt up.

Today I mocked up the new master cylinder and bent some brake lines. Once the rear caliper spacers are done I can finish the rear axle install, rear brake install, and bleed master cylinder and the system.

Tonight I need to order some new 3” stainless band clamps for the exhaust system, new tires, Bilsteons for the rear, and a longer shifter handle for the MGW as the reach is a bit too long.

Fingers crosses that I can find time to get her together before July so I can get her aligned and ready for this year’s PVGP. Work trips and vacation is going to make this tough. My wife is on board for me to get this done, so that’s a big help.

[PaxtonShelby]

Bridgestone RE71R’s should be here this week. Giddy up!

These tires get amazing reviews...and this one in particular made me smile...

[wick]

You’re in 14 now aren’t you? Where all are they sending you?
Kim is over in 2 now. I think we already talked about that a while ago though. We can text later if you want. You know how they operate. They just created another position for her to move up. Big jump too.

[PaxtonShelby]

Yep still in Bldg 14 Rob. At least a few more years here from what we have been told. Hoping it ends up being longer than that as I’d like to retire without changing companies - and I’m not willing to move to St. Louis. Glad that work is going well for your lady!

[gpfarrell]

You have too many cars to move that far. And I’ll hide your trailer if you try.

oh, regarding tire review... “cartoon character faster!”

[PaxtonShelby]

UPS and FedEx brought presents today. New shoes and some nice 3” stainless band clamps ( both ordered Sunday night ). Got the H-pipe/mufflers/dumps installed. Looking to re-route the front to rear brake line as I don’t like it in the stock trans tunnel location. Also started looking into fuel cells. That’s going to be a pricey item but for safety it needs done. Lots of work to do...baby steps.

[PaxtonShelby]

Not a lot of progress, but found time to remove the old rear shocks and install the new Bilsteins.

Ghis week I hope to order a fuel cell and all related goodies.