Editing Rearend identification

{{youcanedit}} ==Introduction== There are several ways to tell what the type/size/application of a rearend. Besides visually checking and comparing rearends to one another, there are casting numbers, build codes and dates displayed or cast/stamped in various locations on the rearend and elsewhere. These all can be used to help ID a rearend. ==Casting numbers== Many if not all rear end housings will have some sort of casting number or ID cues to identify it. If the RPO decal is present (newer vehicles) or the broadcast or "build" sheet is available, it can show what was originally in the vehicle. Sometimes body/fender/cowl tags contain coded info that may list specifics on the rearend. ===GM Hotchkiss (removable carrier) type=== The Hotchkiss type removable carrier rear end was used by GM for a number of years in passenger cars before GM started using the Salisbury type integral carrier rear end. The Pontiac/Olds versions from the later '50s were a drag racing mainstay for many years- even in front engined Top Fuel dragsters and Altereds. ===1955-'64 carrier casting numbers=== 3 series (2.73:1- up): '''410408N''' 2 series (2.56:1- down):'''410409N''' The Chevy version used various tags to designate the ratio. [[File:GM DIFF ID TAGS.jpg]] <br style="clear:both"/> ==Ford== Ford used a vast array of rear ends over the years. Some carried ratio and/or posi tags as well as the vehicle having a plate containing coded info on the rearend. Below are photos of some of the more common rear ends for visual reference and comparison: ===Removable (Salisbury type) carrier=== [[Image:9inch.jpg|thumb|left|400px|Removable carrier, rear view.]]<br style="clear:both"/> ===8-inch=== ====ID==== An easy way to tell the difference between the 8-inch and the 9-inch Ford differential is that on an 8-inch, a socket will fit on the lower nuts seen in this picture. Since the pinion centerline is lower on a 9-inch, a wrench is needed to gain clearance. [[Image:9inchrear.jpg|thumb|400px|left|8 inch Ford differential details]]<br style="clear:both"/> ===9-inch=== One of the strongest Ford rear end was the 9". Still one of the best rearends to modify or use in stock form to handle big horsepower. [[Image:DSC02404.JPG|thumb|left|500px|9 inch Ford rearend]]<br style="clear:both"/> ===9 3/8-inch=== Removable carrier. Found in some Lincoln, Mercury and Thunderbird. ==Non-removable carrier== ===8.8-inch=== [[Image:88rearend.jpg|thumb|left|500px|8.8 rear end in a F150 4X4]]<br style="clear:both"/> ===8.7-inch=== Non-removable carrier. Found in Granada, Monarch 1977 to 1978. [[Image:87rear.jpg|thumb|left|500px|8.7 inch Ford rear end]]<br style="clear:both"/> ===7.75-inch=== Non-removable carrier. Found in Fairlane. ===7.5-inch=== Non-removable carrier. Found in light duty applications such as six cylinder Falcon, Fairlane and 170 cid Maverick (Mavericks powered by 200 cid, 250 cid and 302 cid engines had the 8-inch differential). ===7.25-inch=== Non-removable carrier. Found in Falcon, Econoline, Fairlane, Comet. ===7-inch=== Non-removable carrier. Found in Falcon. ===6.75-inch=== Non-removable carrier. Found in some Pinto and Mustang II. [[File:Pintorear.jpg|border|450px]] ===Columbia 2-speed rear end=== More of an overdrive unit than an actual rear end. Included in the Ford section since it was offered as an option on '30's to '40's Fords. ==General Motors== ===12 bolt=== ===10 bolt=== [[File:GM 10bolt id.jpg]] [[Image:10bolt.jpg|thumb|left|500px|10 bolt 8.5 inch GM corporate rear end]] <br style="clear:both"/> ====10 bolt ID==== If you don't have the codes on hand to identify if a 10 bolt rear end is an 8.5" or not, you can measure the distance between the very bottom bolt for the cover and the next adjacent bolt (either right of left), it will be 3-3/4" for a 8.5" and 3-1/4" for a 7.5". There are usually two distinctive lugs cast into the bottom of the 10 bolt rear end housing. These lugs are arrowed in the image above. The ring gear of the corporate 10 bolt is secured by 7/16-20 '''left hand''' thread bolts having a 3/4" hex head on them; there will be ten bolts holding the ring gear to the differential. The ring gear is (as mentioned) 8.5" diameter and the pinion shaft diameter is the same as the 12 bolt at 1.625". The 8.5" pinion has 30 splines. The 8.2" diff will have 10 bolts holding the ring gear on the diff, the bolts will have a 9/16" hex head and be right hand threaded. The 8.2" uses ten 3/8-24 right hand thread bolts to hold the ring gear on the diff. The pinion diameter is 1.438", having 25 splines. ====10 bolt carriers==== The corporate 10 bolt 8.5 inch rear end uses a 2-series carrier for 2.56 and higher (lower numerically) ratios and a 3-series carrier for 2.73 and lower (higher numerically) ratios. ==Mopar== ===Dana=== ==Others== ==Resources== *[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Ford_9-inch_rear_ends Ford 9 inch rearends] *[http://chevellestuff.net/qd/generic_rear_axle_info.htm Generic rearend info] from chevellestuff.net [[Category:Rearend]] [[Category:Identification and decoding]]

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