Projects Swapping rear ends

Hi Guys,
I am trying to identify the rear end in my Monarch. It was swapped out. I was convinced it was an 8.8 but on a further look I believe it is a 8.7 WER out of a Granada. I have an 8 inch out of a 65 Mustang that I can put in but it will need a few mods. Is it worth the time. I would like to put discs on the back one day so I am leaning towards junking the 8.7 if that is truly what this is.

 

See if this helps you narrow it down. It may be info you already have though
http://www.differentials.com/technical-help/differential-identification

 

The WER rear is pretty rare, used ONLY in Some 75-78 Granada's and Monarch's.
The only way I know of to tell the difference if the tag is missing is to pull the cover and see if it has shims on the side of the carrier bearings or screw in adjusters like a 9". Shims = 8.8, adjusters = 8.7 WER

 

Yes, it looks like a WER. Here is a pic of a WER cover gasket:

 

If you have the axle tag http://www.fordification.com/tech/rearends_ford06.htm Gives most of the codes.

 

the 8.8 cover is almost square, so I doubt it's an 8.8

 

Ford 8.8

Ford 8.7 WER

 

My 8.8 has those 2 x lower notches in the casting as per above gasket. Yep 8.7 as that rear end isn't as deep as an 8.8

 

Since your desire is rear disc brakes why not just get an Explorer rear complete with the discs and swap it in now? Probably a lot of them available even in Canada.

 

What does "WER" stand for?

 

doesn't stand for anything, it's just a code.

http://www.fordification.com/tech/rearends_ford06.htm

 

I put a explorer 8.8 in my merc. Fits and works great, has disc and limited slip. Out of a 2001 explorer. Only problem is trying to change the gear ratio. can't find higher ratio like a 3.08, now I have a 3.73 I'm turning 3000 rpm at 60 and that ain't working for cruising.

 

I had a 93 crown vic with a 8.8 rear that had 3.08 gears in it. Shouldn't be that hard to find the gears you want. they used the rear for a long time in lots of different applications.

 

Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places, seems I can find lower ratios but not the higher. Then again I haven't looked that hard. Trying to get interior and air in the ole Merc.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-08-RING-A...ash=item2cae0ea908:g:NAMAAOSwbYZXYzE3&vxp=mtr

for example.

 

I have a Ranger 8.8 with 3.08's, too.

Gary

 

Dang Squirrel I always knew you were good. I'll just have to get on evil-bay and buy that bad boy.

 

you don't have to buy it on my account, I just wanted to show you how easy it is to find stuff if you look around.

make sure it will fit your rear, I don't know anything about interchangeability on those rearend. I know other brands have different differential carriers for different ratio ranges, so you might want to investigate before you get too far.

 

Yeah that may be a problem since it's out of a mustang and mine is out of an exploder. I'm not really up on fords as much as gm products. I've been told they are a pain to build. Just always wanted a 50 merc. Haven't really done much in years til I bought the merc a 8 years ago. Gotta find a ford guru here in town and just ask some questions.
Thank you for responding and being helpful, as always. Some folks on here want to be smart alecks.

 

Try your local Ford dealer and look up some part numbers for R/P and carriers that should give you a answer.

 

All of the 8.8 gears fit ANY Ford 8.8 carrier. Doesn't matter if it locker or not, 28 or 31 spline etc.

 

Not sure if this is what you are thinking, but if your expectation is to find an EXPLORER rear with 3.08's in it straight from the factory, you wont. You will have to swap the ring and pinion.

 

Explorer 8.8's came with 3.27, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10

 

Thanks for the help, good to know that the 8.8 gears are all interchangeable. Kind of like Ford did with the 9", makes life easy

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I got the whole 3rd member out of a 2001 exploder and it was 3.73 with disc barker and limited slip. happy with it just geared too low.
Thanks to everyone for the information, it did help.

 

FWIW, I think the majority of 5.0L mustangs left the factory with 3.08s, and TONS of guys swapped them for 3.73's or 4.11s, so used 3.08s for an 8.8 should be REALLY easy to find.

 

Now if you had overdrive you could keep the 3:73's and be happy.

 

Yeah thought about a AOD but not let.

 

Best AOD to look for is 1989-93 these have the latest lubrication upgrades and improved valve body and are non-computer just add the Lokar cable kit.