Ok, I whipped out the 9-inch this morning...

[BobV]

Yeah, my Saleen has a 9" rear under it... 

Looks like a Currie Housing and 31 spline axles. The gear is either a 3.50 or 3.55 - I forgot to count the teeth, but did a "revolution count".
However, I can use some help identifying the carrier and disc brakes. Who knows what type of carrier this is? Looks like an earlier Auburn unit according to a few Googled pics, but I'm not sure. I BELIEVE these are the "correct" Saleen/SVO rear brakes. I did notice the the driver's side upper bushing is mis-located - and the UCA on that side is SHOT...   

I'm REALLY undecided if I want to put this back under the car or find a correct 8.8". It's a nice piece that someone paid big bucks for at one time. I'd almost rather have the right rear under there though. Whatcha think? What do I have and what's it worth???   

[guruatbol]

I don't know anything about the SVO cars, but could it be possible that the swap was done prior to sale? 

It is a cool diff though!

If it were mine, I would clean it up and fix any issues and put it back.

Mel

[tarafied1]

I can't add much but I think it's valuable to drag racers. It's pretty hard to break a 9" pumpkin. I do think the 9" is heavier than an 8.8. The Fox body drag racers would probably love to have it.

[guruatbol]

Heck, I would love to have it in my 65.  I don't need it since I am not generating enough horsepower to use it, but still it is very cool!

Mel

[BobV]

Well, I've decided to disassemble this the rest of the way. I'm pretty sure something is not right inside the carrier. The car was making funky noises from the rear axle on hard downshifts, and was doing a one-wheel-peel.

Still not sure WHO the manufacturer of this Traction-Lock is, but hopefully I'll find some clues when I open it up. Rumor has it that Currie made their own version of Ford's traction-loc that used Ford internals... I'm thinking/hoping that's what this is. Plan to open it up Tuesday, so we'll see. If you look really close at the following picture, you can see a "chunk" missing out of the cross-pin... 

It's tempting just to sell the rear complete and get a correct 8.8. However, Saleens use a different rear axle setup - it's 2.5" wider than a regular foxbody, requiring special wheel offsets - that would limit my market. It's also not easy to find all the correct parts, as I'd need a standard 5.0 housing and SVO/Saleen/MarkVII axles & brackets. By the time I get an 8.8 T-lock, correct 3.55 gears, and rebuild everything, I'm $1k into it, which MIGHT be what the Currie would bring after it's fixed. This car has so many 90's aftermarket parts, that I'm leaning toward doing a "Day 2" restoration instead of going back 100% stock anyway.

[pprince]

I think it is a cool axle to have Bob.

It is also an integral part of your Saleen's history. I would keep it.

It won't be hard to be north of a grand putting an 8.8 back in there and it still won't be original.

[daveSanborn]

Bob,

I've bought/owned a couple Currie rearends.  Your assumption that the carrier is a Currie unit is likely correct.  Who would order/buy from Currie a new housing with axles and then not order their carrier?  Not me. The rearend was most likely a "complete" Currie unit, which would then include their "Sportsman" carrier and would also be the most economical way a PO would have proceeded.

Use the below link to Currie to help identify what you've got....

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/productsCR.aspx?id=2708&p=1249.9500


Notice with an 11" disc brake package the price comes in right around $3k.

I'd definitely keep the current rearend, go with a "day 2" restoration and contact Currie if you suspect the carrier may not be 100%.  They're pretty proud of their products and stand behind them.

[tarafied1]

I'm not trying to talk you into anything but I have an 8.8 with 3.55:1 gears and its for a Fox Body. Downside is it's still drum and 4 lug but I swapped stuff valued at $350 for it. If your interested we can talk. The guy I got it from also had the 5.0 which I'm building for the drag car. He works for Ford and claims the rear has the best goodies from Ford in it and only has 200 miles on it, but you know how that stuff goes. The engine has been what he claimed though. I didn't want the rear but he wanted what I had and I figured I could sell swap the rear easier. Anyway, just a thought... I won't be offend if you say your not interested.

[BobV]

Opened up the rear carrier today. It's definitely an Auburn. No clutches, just 4 spider gears, 8 springs and cone/hub assembly. One of the carrier bearings is a bit chewed up as well, but I didn't get a picture... Ring & pinion look fine.



This isn't good - shaft is bent, chipped and galled on ends. Didn't want to come out...


A few of the broken springs.


Auburn's website says "Inspect the clutch surfaces for galling. If galling has occurred, the cone and cone seat cannot
be reworked." Uh oh...

[silverblueBP]

Time for a true trac locker!


My rear housing and axles are from Currie. The carrier and guts I already had from the previous 9" housing that was too long for the car.

[BobV]

I'm not trying to talk you into anything but I have an 8.8 with 3.55:1 gears and its for a Fox Body. Downside is it's still drum and 4 lug but I swapped stuff valued at $350 for it. If your interested we can talk. The guy I got it from also had the 5.0 which I'm building for the drag car. He works for Ford and claims the rear has the best goodies from Ford in it and only has 200 miles on it, but you know how that stuff goes. The engine has been what he claimed though. I didn't want the rear but he wanted what I had and I figured I could sell swap the rear easier. Anyway, just a thought... I won't be offend if you say your not interested.

I MAY be interested. Trying to sort out my options...
With your rear, I'd just need to source a set of SVO/Saleen/Lincoln MarkVII axles and a set of caliper to axle brackets. Could re-use my brake calipers & rotors. Not TOO bad...

A local shop has a 9" 3.50 31-spline they are selling for $250. I'm waiting on a call-back with more info & condition. They build both 8.8's and 9" rears. It's a possibility...

The Gear Box has 9" 31-spline t-locs fresh rebuilt for $259. I'd still need a bearing kit and would have to set up the gears again... Do-able...

Do you have a rear for the drag car? If not, what width do you need?

[DAVER]

Someone went to great lengths to put that rear under your Saleen.  It's obvious they used it too.

These rears are virtually indestructable and yours wasn't driven by some old lady on Sundays. 

Unless you're doing a concourse rebuild to specs to the Saleen, I would rebuild it and keep it in the car.  You'll know what you have when it's done and it should last you a long, long time.       

[tarafied1]

I MAY be interested. Trying to sort out my options...
With your rear, I'd just need to source a set of SVO/Saleen/Lincoln MarkVII axles and a set of caliper to axle brackets. Could re-use my brake calipers & rotors. Not TOO bad...

Do you have a rear for the drag car? If not, what width do you need?

I currently don't have a housing. I have a 31 spline 9" pumpkin with 4.11:1 trac-lock. I will need something in the neighborhood of 59" wide. I don't wheels yet so I have wiggle room on the width.

[garner67]

That's a pretty nice stout rear end setup.  Unless you wanna have a concourse Saleen, you should keep it... or maybe upgrade to IRS.

Otherwise, like Mark said, "time for a tru track locker", and you'll be good to go.

[midpack]

Seeing that, what do the torque boxes look like?

[BobV]

Hey Tarafied - On the 8.8 rear that you have... Is it 28 or 31 spline axles?

I lucked out today and got a set of the right 8.8 5-lug axles and disc axle brackets. Those were the 2 items that your rear doesn't have... 

This Currie rear is probably too wide for you, unless you run late-model rims - measures out 61"+ axle flange to axle flange. Would be perfect with your 4.11 31-spline center though. 

[stangg]

4 lug axles are typically 28 spline... even the SN95 5 lug are 28 spline.    The 31 splines are typically found on the Explorer rear ends.  Are you sure the axles are 2.5" wider than the fox rears...  If it uses the Mark VII / SVO axles,  they should only be 3/4" longer per side,  1.5" overall - which is the same as  the 94-98 SN95 Mustangs.    The housings are all the same for Fox Mustangs 86-98, T birds, and Mark VII of that era.   

If you need new brake hoses,  I have a set that might fit... I beleive I got them for a T bird rear when I planned to use T bird brakes on my 8.8.

[tarafied1]

Hey Tarafied - On the 8.8 rear that you have... Is it 28 or 31 spline axles?

I lucked out today and got a set of the right 8.8 5-lug axles and disc axle brackets. Those were the 2 items that your rear doesn't have... 

This Currie rear is probably too wide for you, unless you run late-model rims - measures out 61"+ axle flange to axle flange. Would be perfect with your 4.11 31-spline center though. 

I have no idea but I can pull the cover and check. Tony might have what you need though.

[BobV]

4 lug axles are typically 28 spline... even the SN95 5 lug are 28 spline.    The 31 splines are typically found on the Explorer rear ends.  Are you sure the axles are 2.5" wider than the fox rears...  If it uses the Mark VII / SVO axles,  they should only be 3/4" longer per side,  1.5" overall - which is the same as  the 94-98 SN95 Mustangs.    The housings are all the same for Fox Mustangs 86-98, T birds, and Mark VII of that era.   

If you need new brake hoses,  I have a set that might fit... I believe I got them for a T bird rear when I planned to use T bird brakes on my 8.8.

I agree, typically 28 spline. However, he said this rearend has "... the best goodies from Ford in it and only has 200 miles on it, but you know how that stuff goes...", so it's worth checking before we get too serious here. I've been burnt enough to never assume anything anymore. T-Bird housing has quad shock mounting slightly different than Mustang (PITA), and Mark VII housing lacks quad shocks - That's why I want a Mustang housing.

For reference , Mustang 8.8 axle lengths:
Mustang 79-93 29.16"
Mustang 94-98 (same as T-Bird/Cougar) 29.91"
SVO/(Lincoln MarkVII/Cont) 30.41"
Mustang 99-04 30.69"
Mustang 2005-10 32.72"

[BobV]

I have no idea but I can pull the cover and check. Tony might have what you need though.

I'm definitely interested. Just want to be sure...

How far from St Louis are you?

[tarafied1]

I'll pull the cover off tomorrow and see what's in there. I am about a 5 hour drive from St Louie...

[BobV]

I'm about 4-1/2 hours. If this all works and you're game, maybe we could meet somewhere in Illinois for lunch one weekend. I might even be able to talk Jeremy and Skip into a road trip???    Whatcha think guys?

[tarafied1]

yeah, if it it turns out you want this one I could do that.

[BobV]

We'll work on the details. I'll make things right for you...

I just wish this Currie was a little narrower. Got the axles you need for a drag car, and I know this great "American Badass" welder here that could probably put a set of leaf brackets on the housing.............

[tarafied1]

that would be cool!