ConcoursMustang Forums
Non-Mustang Ford & Mercury Models => Cougar 1967-73 => Topic started by: RoyceP on May 28, 2018, 11:39:54 AM
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I just pulled the rear axle from my 68 1/2. Fortunately it appears to be the original 3.91 Traction Lock unit that it was born with. The casting of the center is dated 7M21, with the axle tag dated 8DD. I am going to carefully clean it with Varsol to see if any original markings exist. Does anyone have photos of similar axle assemblies from either Cougar or Mustang that I can compare with?
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Royce, I have good pics of my '70 "N"-case 3.91 traction lok rear axle, but I'm not sure how similar it would be to yours.
Some pics below. I can take or post more if there is interest.
*Pics are from a 1970 Cougar Eliminator, Built: Dearborn, Oct 6th, 1969.
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Markings on the third member are fairly standardized during this period
Since they are done by hand the locations are not exactly all the same but similar and colors (depending on which ones) are pretty standard while inspector and assemblers the color is normally one of 3-4 colors. From what I've seen and documented through 30 or so years the gear ratio or type of carrier is not presented in the markings
Will see how close I can find another example while you clean yours
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Mike,
Those are great. I wonder if you have any pics of the markings on the housing? It would I think have some kind of reference to the ratio or the tag number stenciled on or scrawled on the outside?
Royce, I have good pics of my '70 "N"-case 3.91 traction lok rear axle, but I'm not sure how similar it would be to yours.
Some pics below. I can take or post more if there is interest.
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Reminder to all viewing. If your cars details (year, month, options and how it was equipped) does not match Royce's exactly don't copy these markings. No reason to possibly apply markings incorrect for your car when you can simply ask about your specific needs. Often these only get shared privately to reduce these possibilities
Mike,
Those are great. I wonder if you have any pics of the markings on the housing? It would I think have some kind of reference to the ratio or the tag number stenciled on or scrawled on the outside?
Remember that Mike's example is two years later.
Though I've seen some restored numbers with tag numbers written on the exterior I've not yet found one marked like that in the "wild" ;) Also you had a colored paper label with the axle code on it so writing might have been a bit redundant. Just a thought
Consider that some of these marks are likely (and mostly in this case) done at Sterling so those are somewhat standard across all car plants while other marks were applied at the car plants to the subassembly.
Depending on the plant I have what appears to be the second rotation number on some (San Jose cars) individual numbers (sometimes two digit) single letters, lines or checks. Starting in later 67 we start to see markings on the bottom of the housing, below the third member, being applied at Sterling plant. Though they continued with the writing on the bottom of the third member
Trying to stay as close as possible to your build period here is an example of a case cast Dec 21 67
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300518163051.jpeg)
Pretty typical IMHO from others of the period
Yellow arrow - appears to be an assemblers or inspection number Haven't seen this location or size before
Dark Green arrow - may or may not be a mark
Light Green arrow- Another assemblers or inspection number Often seen here or in the "box" the dark green arrow highlights
Light Blue arrow - Paint dribbles/runs often seen in this area from a assemblers or inspection number applied at or about where the Orange arrow indicates. As shown in the picture below. Colors range between light blue, pink, yellow and white so far
Orange arrow - covered above
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300518163828.jpeg)
Take note that on the December example we don't see the large yellow blob we so often see on earlier and later 9" examples.
Second example likely from a number of weeks later. Assembler/inspector numbers rotate around slightly but not my much. In this example from the top center to the drivers side of the case
The typical blue (missing is the yellow) yoke marking is visible and this time the yellow at the top center has returned
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300518165346.jpeg)
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300518165407.jpeg)
Must take this opportunity to thank everyone that has seen thousands of marks to me over the years - a BIG THANKS
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Jeff, thanks for the info, pics and details! Much appreciated!
*I went back and edited my post to include build date info, for anyone that comes along in the future.
Mike,
Those are great. I wonder if you have any pics of the markings on the housing? It would I think have some kind of reference to the ratio or the tag number stenciled on or scrawled on the outside?
Royce, my housing is dirty as all get-out. The only other marking I've found on it so far is the orange-red scribble on the driver's side of the pumpkin...
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Your welcome. Changed the title to the thread to reflect and remind others of the focus of this particular thread. ;)
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You know those archeological digs on TV where they excavate huge holes using only paint brushes? I felt like that today. I spent hours cleaning the center section and the axle housing using nothing but bristle brush and mineral spirits. It took ages.
I only found two markings, both on the housing. There was precious little paint left on any of it. I found what looks like a 6 or a 9 inside the housing. On the bottom of the housing I found what looks like YN.
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I only found two markings, both on the housing. There was precious little paint left on any of it. I found what looks like a 6 or a 9 inside the housing. On the top of the housing I found what looks like YN.
Interesting - All the 68 9 inch examples I have show that housing marking on the exterior to be applied to the bottom as we see in many 69 and 70 examples
Are you sure that the marking is on the top not the bottom of the rearend housing?
My orientation may be off but thought the "bump" for the ring gear would be on the left if the picture was taken from over the rearend as installed and we could see the brake line retaining clip in the picture
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-310518195937.jpeg)
Thanks for sharing
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Good catch, yes it is the bottom. I edited my comments to correct my mistake.
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Got back in the garage today and cleaned up the center section. I removed the yoke and the pinion snubber to be able to access the front seal which has been weeping. The pinion snubber was surface rusted all over with no noticeable markings.
Here are some photos of what I found under all the grime.
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Thanks for sharing Royce
See many that I've found on other similar third members and yokes
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So I tore everything apart, stripped everything, painted it, inspected the third member, replaced the seal, and recreated only what I found. It's ready to go in whenever the car gets ready.
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Does anyone know what color stripes there would be on the drive shaft? I can tell where there were three stripes close to each other, and there is evidence of another stripe near the rear, and a large "D" near the center of the drive shaft. Any help is appreciated.