Technical granada guts

I'm looking at getting an 8.8 from a 70s Granada. Chances are, for what the price I'm paying for it, it might need a rebuild, and has pretty lame gears. Are Ford 8.8 internals interchangeable?

 

I doubt you will find an 8.8 in a Granada, unless it was swapped in. Granada’s used 8” and 9” Ford axles (and possibly a 7.5”) depending on equipment packages/power train.

Both 8” and 9” are drop out center sections. Both are relatively easy to work on and parts are available. Ratios are likely to be 2.79, 3.00, 3.25 range. Stock 8” with lower (higher numerically) for 8” are not common, though aftermarket ring and pinions are available. 9” had more lower ratios in stock applications and plenty of aftermarket choices too.

The 8.8” and 7.5” are integral carrier designs, like a GM 10 or 12 bolt style axles and have ‘C’ clip axle retention.

 

He said that it has 2.7? gears in it. If worst comes to worst I can always change it out later on

 

Read the tag hanging on the cover. It will tell you the ratio

 

The bigger issue with the Ford Granada/Lincoln Versailles disc brake rearend is that they have become a "stepchild" of sorts in the nine inch Ford world mostly due to the design of the parking brake mechanism/axle retainer, replacement parts have been nonexistant forever, a complete aftermarket disc brake swap will likely be in your future if you get it.

https://www.google.com/search?ei=cY...0i71j35i304i39j30i10j33i10j33i160.M-dftD9sUcI

Google images version here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=For...VEeKwKHfJVD2oQ_AUoAnoECAwQAg&biw=1280&bih=752

 

I believe you will find that is a 7.5” axle, very similar in appearance to the 8.8” but dimensionally different. The tag should clarify both the axle model and the ratio.

In my opinion, the 7.5” is a decent axle for moderate use, though not as tough as as 8.8”

If it turns out to be an 8.8”, please report back and post a pic of the tag. I will have to correct/update my mental files!

 

I was starting to think that to. I'm not going to be putting any crazy horsepower I'm my car, most of my drivetrain will probably be 70s-80s Ford truck/sedan. My goal is just to get it running and save up for some nice stuff.

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Worst thing we did when building our Roadster was use the Versailles Disc Rear. The calipers suck and are a major pain to find when they start leaking, and they will leak with that dumb parking brake. Ill be swapping out to drums probably next winter.

 

That looks like a 7.5 to me.
Basically a smaller version of the 8.8.

I have one from a ranger with 3.45 gears that will be going in my ‘54 wagon one day.

I abused the hell out of an 8.8 with 373 gears in high school.
Asking as you don’t try to put down Big power with sticker tires you’ll be fine.

As far as I know all 7.5 gears will interchange.
Factory ratios included 308, 345 355 373 and 410, and Both open and traclock was available.

The 8.8 is stronger and more often came with a traclock but not needed for most cars.


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If it has the tag, it will tell you what size the ring gear is...and lots of other info.

 

7.5 (L) -vs- 8.8 (R). 7.5 rear cover is rounder on sides with 8.8 a lot squarer. Both 7.5s and 8.8s didn't appear until 1983.

• https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-7_5-axle.shtml
• https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

 

I think you are right. I was sold a 7.5" on the basis it was an 8.8. It was a genuine mistake. I only found out when the Offenhauser diff cover didn't fit.

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Ha

have several 8 inch rearends from granadas l would sell have used them in several 41-48 fords

 

There is also another possibility--Ford had an odd 7.1" or something like that under some 75-78 Granadas. It looks a lot like a 7.5 or 8.8, but from what I have read nothing interchanges between them, and parts are extremely hard to find. I bought a rolled over 77 Granada with a 351W in it for the engine and it had that odd sized rear. It was normal 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern and had stood up behind that 351W, but I doubt it had been dogged much before it was rolled over.

 

Doesn't look like an 8.8. Look at the shape of the housing just ahead of the cover. It has a tubular barrel shape and the pinion is quite short.

An 8.8 out of a ranger pick up or explorer will be a much better axle and can be had cheap. 8.8 axles are like Lego and most everything fits without much work. There is no carrier break and if you make a solid shim instead of the stupid crush sleeve they will take a lot of abuse.

 

the guy sent me the pic of the tag, even after I bought a different rear. just curiosity at this point now