400 HP and 28 spline axles = trouble?

[derelict]

I'm getting ready to put a strong small block in the coupe to replace the 327. The engine should put out in the neighborhood of 380 HP and 420 lbs. torque. I'm running a 350 turbo, 3.00 geared 9 inch Ford rearend with 28 spline axles. The car probably weighs around 2,500 lbs. with 31 inch tall tires. It'll probably see the strip a couple of times a year. I'm not crazy about changing the rearend at this time so my question for you guys is will the axles hold up with that torque and horsepower? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[FEDER]

It will work just fine dont worry.I have in the past had some good runnin fords with 4 speeds.Never broke an axle just u joints.--Feder

[Thirdyfivepickup]

In a word, yes. If you had some heavy car with slicks and a banger, mmmmm no. With the light weight and auto trans spinning tall tires... no problem.

Just make sure the axles are in good shape. You'll be fine!

[ELpolacko]

ran my 63 F100 with the stock rear end and a really strong 427 BBC in front of it. 275/40-17 Yokohama AVS sports on the rear and managed to get 600ft/lbs to the ground. Even with stupid stuff I never hurt those splines, maybe leaned on them a bit but they never gave way.

I would think you would be in fine shape. If you manage to "hook" that thing a couple of times you will twist them eventually. For now I wouldn't worry about it

[FLAT-TOP BOB]

i have the close to the same set up in my 32. less hp but it does have a muncie. been on the road with no trouble for years!

[old beet]

Been runnin same pair of 28 spline axles for over 25 years. 51 F-1 ,3400lbs, healthy 390 tri-power--best of hundreds of trips down the quarter mile-13.25 @ 105. Never had a problem.........OLDBEET

[Deuce Roadster]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif


My Roadster weighs 2240 lbs. It has a healthy SBC (aluminum heads, intake, water pump, roller camshaft and rockers), a 400 Turbo (with a switch pitch Buick converter) and a 3.50 factory Ford gear. I have a Detroit Locker. The tires are 28 inches tall. It hooks pretty hard.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I twisted the splines on my 28 spline axles. I never broke one but they had moved almost 1 complete spline. I now have 31 spline axles http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif



.

[SamIyam]

Cool!

Do it!

Where did you get the motor??

And are you going to sell me your ol' 327 that came out of it?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sam.

[derelict]

Thank ya, Thank ya very much everyone, and yeh Sam the 327 is on the block. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[38Chevy454]

You won't hook up enough to create problems with street tires. Run slicks and a trans brake (or dump the clutch from 6000 with a manual) and you're asking for trouble, but 420 ft-lbs is not anywhere near danger zone with street tires on 28 spline axles.

[Mild Mitch]

D-
I have a 1957 9"/28 spline axle (probably the weakest 9" Ford made) in my Roadster with a little more on tap than what you're putting in the Coupe.

Roadster weighs within a couple hundred of yours. I've THRASHED the Hell outta it as you know and NEVER had a problem! 'Course it'll only HookUp with the 14" wide Dirt Track 'Stones on there, but no problems there either.
It'll hold up!
DO IT! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[C9]

31's would be nice, but the 28's will work fine.

My 2400# 32 roadster runs a mildly built 462" Buick with about 520# torque.

Rear axle is a 28 spline open 9" running 3.70 gears.
Tires are 30" tall and 8" wide, fairly soft and will bite good when the converter is flashed at about half or 3/4 throttle on clean, dry pavement.

40,000 miles and no axle problems.

[Bugman]

Just curious, how much stronger is a 31 spline rear end?

[porknbeaner]

You shouldn't have any trouble at all with the 28 spline axles. You're car is pretty light, and the mill isn't pounding out that much torque.

If you have a heavy ride, and lots of torque then I would suggest the 31 spline rear. Or I guess if you put really sticky tires on it you might have a problem.

I run a 28 spline on a 2800 lb car, 3.26 gear, 28" tires about 444 ft lbs for quite awhile (everyday and the strip about once a month). I switched to 31 spline when I narrowed the rear and had to buy aftermarket axles.

A friend is still running the 28 in a '55 chev with a 502. Been about 3 years now. He probably needs the bigger rear but...

I cant come up with numbers on the difference in the rears but you should be just fine.

An old guy that I really respected used to say, "if you blow it up with a 4bbl, rebuild it with 2. If that blows huff it..."

You already got the 28 and you aren't ready to upgrade right? If it blows build it stronger. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif