Narrowing 8.8 housing

[hipsi]

I plan to have my 8.8 narrowed 2 " per side and run 9" ends on it as well.
Since 2" has to be cut from the ends of each axle tube where does a guy measure from.In other words what do i use for a reference point when measureing inwards 2"?
The big bearing ends are alot different than the ends of the 8.8 tubes.
Would i measure from the wheel side of the axles flange?
Im confused and dont want to cut off to much of the tube and have to find another housing.
Any help appreciated.

[Badboss418]

Just cut 2" off of the ends, and weld the ends on.

[Drivnfool1]

You may want to check into this a little further than just cutting 2 inches and welding. There may be is a 3/4" difference between the brake plate and axles mounting surface. Basically an 8.8 is 3" from the brake plate to the wheel mounting surface. A 9" setup is like 2.25" from brake plate to the wheel mounting surface. I would have your new brake setup on hand so that you could use its width (from rotor to brake plate) plus the width of your 9" end to decide how much to cut. I do not know if these measurments are exact that is why you need all of your parts before you cut the housing. If you have already disassembled the rear, I would find a friend and measure the overall width of theirs. Most likely you are going to end up cutting the width of the 9" end + 1.25" to get a 2" narrow per side.

Good luck, hope this wasn't confusing. Just didn't want you to possibly ruin your housing

(Cut housing width) = (Desired overall rotor to rotor width) - (9" end width x 2) - (brake plate to rotor width x 2)

[jayman306]

you can also go to turbomustangs.com lots of great info on there site fir narrowing

[Pwraddr]

I have a blueprint (all measurements) from Mark Williams on my rear. 2.25 off each side. Let me know if you want to look at it and I will scan and email it to you. Using their early big ford ends (9 inch) that is about as far as you can go.

[hipsi]

Please email it to hi-psi@cox.net
Why did you o rthey choose early big bearing ends versus say late model big bearing ends?Is there an advantage one over the other?
Also if i may ask,how much did mark williams charge you to narrow your housing?

[rmracing]

The early big ends have bigger bolts that the late style .

[Pwraddr]

Hi There,

I will scan it tomorrow at work and send it.

I went with old style because the mass assortment of rear brakes and MW recommended them.

They built the entire rear for me using all their stuff so I can't say how much for just the narrowing. The package was $2630 with everything including shipping, I just supplied the housing and brake brackets. If you call, ask for Travis, he is very helpful.

I think you are in Detroit like me so I would recommend contacting Dave @ Team Z. I was at his shop and looked at a rear he did and it was very nice.

Anymore questions let me know....good luck!!!

[Pwraddr]

I must be blind...sometimes. I see you are in Nebraska, sorry. I forgot the print today so I didn't scan it yet.

to get you started, here are the measurements for the housing. Go to MW site for which letters are what. ( http://www.markwilliams.com/axleOrdering.aspx )

A= 49.624
B= 25.312
C= 24.312
D= 54.374
E= 27.687
F= 26.687
G= 2.375, this is the axle stand out. Depends on the brakes, big ford has this and 2.500
H= 2.125

Brake drum register= 3.062
Overall length right axle= 25.437
Overall length left axle= 24.812
Bearing diameter= 1.771
Pinion is off center by .500"

Standard 11/16 gun drill with superlight mill on the flanges 35 spline w/ 24/48 pitch 45 degree angle, 1.500 major diameter. These axle dimensions are for MW lightweight spool.

Does this help???

Regards,
Keith

[hipsi]

Yes that helps a bunch thank you.
I just hope theres no typos in all those numbers :eek:

[hipsi]

What back space wheel did you end up running and which tire?
How is the clearance?

[Pwraddr]

Yes that helps a bunch thank you.
I just hope theres no typos in all those numbers :eek:

I just remebered when this pushed to my Blackberry this afternoon that I forgot the paper again!!!! Sorry.

I just double checked the numbers and they are correct. Remember that this is for MW stuff and I think that if you run a different spool that the axles will be longer. Call Travis and he will help you!

Regards,
Keith

[LilBlackCoupe]

Taking 2" out... aren't you gonna have to minitub it too?

[hipsi]

Yes i am mini tubbing mine,i have one side finished and the other side 1/2 done now.
I sent my housing to Strange Engineering and they took 3" off of each side :eek:
They called today and its ready to be shipped back to me 4-18-08
Oh and they also installed the billet carrier caps as well.
Cant wait for it to get back here so i can get this thing back on the ground again.

[Pwraddr]

Great to hear. If I could have went to 2.50 without going into the LCA bracket I would have.

The only advantage to cutting into the LCA to put the ends on is weight and it is minimal anyway. 2-2.5 is ideal based on the wheel choices.

I have billet steel caps from MW, strange uses aluminum, still better than stock. No need to spend 150 on a rear cover now!!!!!

Glad to hear you are getting it going!!

Best of luck on the project.

Keith

[on3 racing]

man, im just gonna have teamz do it. that is way to much to go wrong, lol.

[hipsi]

UPS called today to verify delivery time and its supposed to be here tomorrow noon 4-22-08.
I will post up some pictures when it gets here, It should be a nice piece with billet carrier caps and everything. I think they had to remove the control arm brackets and then reweld them on after they narrowed it 3" per side.