1 Topic by gunn (edited by gunn 2012-09-21 02:10 PM)

  • gunn
  • Ripened LeMon
  • Offline
  • From: SF, CA
  • Registered: 2010-12-18
  • Posts: 342

Topic: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

Hi:
I just received a great deal on some used  3.73 gears for my spare pumpkin. My current rear differential on my tbird whines a little but seems to work without any issues so far (knock on wood).

The problem is that when I received these gears, USPS handling and/or packaging caused the pinion gear to be chipped.
http://www.gunn.com/images/brokengears5.jpg
http://www.gunn.com/images/brokengears4.jpg
http://www.gunn.com/images/brokengears3.jpg
http://www.gunn.com/images/brokengears2.jpg
http://www.gunn.com/images/brokengears1.jpg


Since this was my spare differential, I wanted to build this thing properly (new vs. used bearings, tractionlock rebuild kit, etc.) Should I just get a full refund for this gearset and keep waiting for another deal or should I just workout some kind of discount and keep this existing gear set (it was only $60 delivered).

Q: Do you guys think this will cause any issues? If my existing rear end takes a dump at a race, I want to bolt this one up and just leave it on (I don't want to have to pull it off again and have TWO diffs to rebuild). I also don't feel like swapping diffs just to test this one; I plan on rebuilding it and then putting it on my shelf of spares.

My first inclination is to take a pass on it and send it back but what other alternatives should I consider: how bad an idea is it to find another used 3.73 pinion gear and use it with the perfectly serviceable ring read?


Regards,
-g

  • Baron
  • Baron
  • LeMons Staff Stalker
  • Offline
  • From: DFW
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 1,427

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

I actually think that would still be usable, honestly. The center of the pinion gear hits the center of the ring gear, so in theory, that part wouldnt touch anyway.

Team Lost in the Dark
Winner " I got screwed" and "Jay's dream car"
2012 Gulf region champs
  • gunn
  • Ripened LeMon
  • Offline
  • From: SF, CA
  • Registered: 2010-12-18
  • Posts: 342

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

Baron wrote:

I actually think that would still be usable, honestly. The center of the pinion gear hits the center of the ring gear, so in theory, that part wouldnt touch anyway.

So balance isn't a concern? I'm hearing this from other folks as well.

-g

  • Registered: 2012-01-06
  • Posts: 126

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

The location of the damage shouldn't pose a problem.
Be sure to file and smooth those edges and nicks before installation.

Capt. Delinquent Racing
2008 AMP||2008 ARSE-FREEZE-APALOOZA
MEGA-CHEATER Taurus V8 SHO #31 (2100 BSF Laps)
2012 Sears Pointless - Now a West Coast Outlaw
  • From: Colusa, CA
  • Registered: 2010-08-12
  • Posts: 26

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

Baron wrote:

I actually think that would still be usable, honestly. The center of the pinion gear hits the center of the ring gear, so in theory, that part wouldnt touch anyway.

True the center hits, but at different speeds and torque the contact point moves believe it or not.  I wouldn't run the gears I would return them and get another set.  Installing that gear set is just creating a problem before it starts.

  • From: Houston, TEXAS
  • Registered: 2011-09-28
  • Posts: 99

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

Run that bitch - it's very lemony.

...but do de-bur the sharp edges.

Team TGTW Offroad Racing - 1997 Jeep Cherokee and 1989 Jeep Comanche
5-TIME LOSERS
5 races - 5 finishes - 1 Organizer's Choice Award, 1 Class C win w/Jeep Comanche, Winner 2012 Cherokee Cup
2012 Yeehaw @ TWS - 2012 North Dallas Hoopties - 24 hours @ ECR- 2012 Gator-o-rama @ MSR Houston - 2012 Season-Ender @ ECR - 2013 North Dallas Hoopties @ ECR
  • From: Shippensburg, PA
  • Registered: 2010-11-18
  • Posts: 692

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

how bad an idea is it to find another used 3.73 pinion gear and use it with the perfectly serviceable ring read?


From what I am told, that is a bad idea.  I was always told do not mix gears once they have been used.

Just having fun.
Talk about conflict of interest, being part of the Outlaws while also being part of the PA Posse!
"She's a brick house" 57th out of 121 and 5th in Class C, There Goes the Neighborhood 2013
"The Wall" coming to a track near you (if you live near Summit Point, WV).
  • Registered: 2009-11-24
  • Posts: 713

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

It was my understanding that the biggest risk was noise from a mismatched pair.

Lorin Mueller
Team Haulin' Ass - 83 Plymouth Scamp
Team Soccer Moms - 93 Dodge Caravan
  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 2,549

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

The gears in our Fairmont 7.5" are so loud they drown out the motor at low revs. But they have lasted 2+ races, and they were put together by someone who claims to knwo what he was doing, he was just to busy to do it over and adjust it.

Constructor/Owner/Driver - Billy Beer Ford Futura

Parkwod60's Website

  • From: Colusa, CA
  • Registered: 2010-08-12
  • Posts: 26

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

Omnilith wrote:

It was my understanding that the biggest risk was noise from a mismatched pair.

Th gears are made matched because the degree the gears are cut to match to figure out your end play and preloads on the bearings.  You will have noise on miss matched gears but most important they won't last because they will eat each other apart

  • Registered: 2011-04-07
  • Posts: 144

Re: Need advice about newly acquired used Ford 8.8" gearset....

Ditch those gears.  Think about the labor of setting the gears up, the cost of bearings, gaskets, spacers,  all the while wondering if the finished product will work. 
With races costing $1k a pop, I'd get a good set of gears and set it up right.

I am pretty handy with cars, and pretty much the only thing I don't do myself is set up the rear gears.  I have destroyed 3 different 9" gear sets trying to adjust them myself, so I think it is pretty easy to get it wrong.

Anyway, it's not your fault the bozo didn't pack em right. 

Pete

Cerveza Racing

ppressle's Website