8 3/4 & 4spd hi hp cars

[Daves69]

My son has a 69 barracuda original 383 4spd. He wants to run low 11s. He will be running street slicks. Sad thing is he already had his 8 3/4 rear narrowed & new moser axles, green bearing & long studs.

With a 440-4 spd-8-3/4" doing mid 12's in a '69 Barracuda, weak links were taking a toll back in the day. Wheel studs, axle splines, ring gears, u-joints.

I have new Moser axles for my 8-3/4" and I'm not real confident of their fit in the LS compared to the stock set! Haven't put them to the test yet. They seem a looser fit. I don't have the wires to compare MOW sizes.

 

[66Satellite47]

Aftermarket axles are surely needed for a high power, good traction combo. My '65 Coronet 8 3/4 had about 1/16th turn in the splines in addition to the broken A833's & ring & pinion. Dana 60 with Strange axles cured all that even after I added a couple hundred HP. I know that people can make a stout 8 3/4, but takes good parts selection and a fair amount of dollars to hold up to good power & good traction.

 

[XMAN JR]

Sounds like a dana is in the future.

 

[66Satellite47]

Dana's are heavy, but they are really tough. Aftermarket axles, good ring & pinion, stout yokes & driveshaft, good for well over 600 HP, probably lots more.

 

[Cranky]

Dana's are heavy, but they are really tough. Aftermarket axles, good ring & pinion, stout yokes & driveshaft, good for well over 600 HP, probably lots more.

Do you have an idea how much heavier a 60 is vs the 8 3/4?

 

[66Satellite47]

Never actually checked the weight, but sure 50 - 75 lbs.

 

[Cranky]

Never actually checked the weight, but sure 50 - 75 lbs.

Some years back I helped a buddy build up a Dana with a spool. The car had an E body 8 3/4 and a spool and the Dana was 68-70 width and was 48 lbs heavier. I'm sure a stock clutch type SG for the Dana would be around 15 lbs or so heavier than the same style SG for the 8 3/4.

 

[XMAN JR]

Anyone have any ideas on how much Dana 60s housings are going for ? I heard that I could find one in an older dodge truck. Anyone know anything about them ?

 

[66Satellite47]

You can make them work with narrowing & good axles. If you have power a spool is a good add. Modifying the pinion & side bearings for a slip fit makes the setup so much easier.

 

[Cranky]

You can make them work with narrowing & good axles. If you have power a spool is a good add. Modifying the pinion & side bearings for a slip fit makes the setup so much easier.

Using 'setup' bearings is a much better way to go. Years back before they were sold for that, I just honed a set of bearings just for setting up rear ends. Also, spools make a car act very different on the street and you have to be aware of it. Driving on wet roads with them can be challenging....

 

[XMAN JR]

Well I just bought a dana 60. Now all I have to sell my 8 3/4 to finance the rebuild LOL

 

[Daves69]

Well I just bought a dana 60.

Good call.

BTW, there was a 44" Dana 60 (p4120693) available from DC in the early 80's for around a grand. They knew something I suspect.

 

[OK charger]

Well I just bought a dana 60. Now all I have to sell my 8 3/4 to finance the rebuild LOL

If you were closer we would talk....

 

[66Satellite47]

IMO even with the Dana 60 good aftermarket axles are worth the cost. Sure seems like there is a good market for the 8 3/4.

 

[XMAN JR]

When it comes to the 8 3/4 we are not sure what to ask for it. It was an A body housing. It was narrowed 1.5 inches form each end, new moser axles, green bearings & 3 inch wheel studs. It has an 489 case, 3:55 gears & a sure grip. It came out of a 69 barracuda 383 with 56,000 original miles. Ive been told its going to be hard to sell because of it being narrowed.

 

[5.7 hemi]

With it narrowed, it'll sell! On an A body with the springs moved in, mini tubbed and the right offset for rims, you should not have a problem selling it. Post it over on FABO.

 

[66Satellite47]

When it comes to the 8 3/4 we are not sure what to ask for it. It was an A body housing. It was narrowed 1.5 inches form each end, new moser axles, green bearings & 3 inch wheel studs. It has an 489 case, 3:55 gears & a sure grip. It came out of a 69 barracuda 383 with 56,000 original miles. Ive been told its going to be hard to sell because of it being narrowed.

I guess that will be in demand.

 

[Cranky]

Sometimes they sell fast and sometimes they don't. I have a 55" Dana 60 with ladder bars, spool, and 4.88 gears. Maybe it's the gear ration no one likes or the fact there's no pics? Either way, not a single bite. Same for 68-79 B body 8 3/4 and a bunch of other stuff. Seems like in my area, Mopar parts are just not moving unless you price them at giveaway prices....

 

[XMAN JR]

Sometimes they sell fast and sometimes they don't. I have a 55" Dana 60 with ladder bars, spool, and 4.88 gears. Maybe it's the gear ration no one likes or the fact there's no pics? Either way, not a single bite. Same for 68-79 B body 8 3/4 and a bunch of other stuff. Seems like in my area, Mopar parts are just not moving unless you price them at giveaway prices....

I think it depends on the area you live in. I have a hard time selling anything with size or weight. I like a good deal my self but some want it for about nothing.

 

[Cranky]

Man, I need to proof read my stuff before posting lol