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Ford Axle Removal: Complete Step by Step Instructions

Ford Axle Removal: Complete Step by Step Instructions

You have a couple of options when servicing the rear axle. You can do all the work with the axle installed in the car or remove the axle from the car and perform the work on an axle fixture. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Are you working on a vehicle hoist or using a […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford 9-Inch Axle Performance Installation – How to Guide

Ford 9-Inch Axle Performance Installation – How to Guide

I have decided to put together a drivetrain that can withstand 700 hp, be easy to drive, and be reliable. This was a virtually impossible (or very expensive) task 15 years ago but with the current status of the aftermarket industry, it is now very achievable. The easiest way to get large horsepower numbers is […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford 9-Inch Axle Installation: Vehicle Inspection

Ford 9-Inch Axle Installation: Vehicle Inspection

One primary reason to rebuild a Ford 9-inch axle is to go along with a total performance drivetrain upgrade in your muscle car. One of the most common reasons to replace a wimpy stock axle assembly is that it could only handle the torque from the stock engine. But after you built or swapped in […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford Axle Ring and Pinion Assembly How to Guide

Ford Axle Ring and Pinion Assembly How to Guide

Many parts compose a rear axle and its most important function is to provide torque multiplication and speed reduction. This is accomplished with a right-angle drive gear arrangement called a hypoid gear set. The next most important aspect of the axle is to split torque to the wheels through a differential. This chapter explores two […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford 9 Inch Differential Guide: Third-Member Assembly

Ford 9 Inch Differential Guide: Third-Member Assembly

This is where you combine the assembled differential with the gear case and hypoid gears. Plus, you also add the necessary bearings, seals, and shims. You can purchase individual pieces or a complete kit that includes everything that you need.   Step-1: Inspect Component Kit Use the large shims on the left to make pinion […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials, The Best Ford Tech Articles

How to Assemble Ford 9 Inch Traction-Lok Differentials

How to Assemble Ford 9 Inch Traction-Lok Differentials

There are two limited-slip-style differentials available: the Equa Lok and the Traction-Lok. They are similar in design. The Equa Lok is quite rare because it was only used for a few years. There are internal differences between the two and most parts are not interchangeable. The Equa Lok has four steel and three friction plates that […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford 9 Inch Axle: Open Differential Assembly Guide

Ford 9 Inch Axle: Open Differential Assembly Guide

The differential pinions ride on pins, and the three pins are supported in the square center block. The three roll pins not only prevent the differential pinions from coming out, but also serve a secondary purpose of preventing the pins from rotating inside the differential housing. With all of the parts clean and inventoried, the […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford 9 Inch Axle Disassembly: Third Member and Pinion Cartridge Removal

Ford 9 Inch Axle Disassembly: Third Member and Pinion Cartridge Removal

Now that you have the wheel ends and axle shafts sorted out, you can concentrate on the third member and pinion cartridge. You can remove the pinion cartridge from the third member while the third member is still in place on the housing, but the order does not matter, especially if you know that you […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

How to Disassemble Ford 9 Inch Axles: Brake Drum and Axle Shafts

How to Disassemble Ford 9 Inch Axles: Brake Drum and Axle Shafts

The first step is to have the vehicle on jack stands and the wheels and tires removed. After you remove the brake drums be sure to set them aside in a clean and safe place. Remember to label the axle shafts according to the side in which they were installed, as they are different lengths. […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

Ford 8.8 Inch Axle Assembly: Ring and Pinion Gear Set

Ford 8.8 Inch Axle Assembly: Ring and Pinion Gear Set

There are 33 different aftermarket shim thicknesses available, ranging from .307 to .241 inch (in .002-inch increments). One of the biggest frustrations in building these axles is that the thin shims in an aftermarket pack are very difficult to install without damaging them. And if you use the OEM shims you have a bunch of different […]

Filed Under: Ford Tech Tips, Rebuild Ford Differentials

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The Ultimate Ford Transmission Torque Converters Guide

The Ultimate Ford Transmission Torque Converters Guide

Torque converters are probably the most misunderstood component in an automatic transmission, yet they’re the simplest in both theory and function. Think of a torque converter like a water wheel in an old saw mill: the waterwheel is driven by fluid … [Click here to read more...]

Mustang Engine Swap Guide

Mustang Engine Swap Guide

In this chapter I cover the common engine swaps for first-generation Mustangs that increase performance potential. My philosophy is “There’s no replacement for displacement” when it comes to increasing performance, but the key is how you get it. I … [Click here to read more...]

How to Install Ford C4 and C6 Transmissions: Step by Step

How to Install Ford C4 and C6 Transmissions: Step by Step

Although I focus great attention on how a transmission is built, installation and proper adjustment after the unit is installed are just as important to durability and longevity. To get longevity and durability, a transmission must be properly … [Click here to read more...]

How to Disassemble Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

How to Disassemble Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

Because the Modular V-8 has so many different applications, it is impossible to detail all the removal and installation specifics here. However, I can touch on what you can expect across a broad range of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury applications. Gone … [Click here to read more...]

How to Build a 500 Horsepower Ford 351 Cleveland Engine

How to Build a 500 Horsepower Ford 351 Cleveland Engine

There are two Cleveland engine builds for you here: one from Trick Flow Specialties and another from Hot Rod magazine contributor Jeff Huneycutt of www.horsepowermonster.com. Each of these builds shows what can be done with both the 351C and 400 … [Click here to read more...]

How to Assembly Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

How to Assembly Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

Once you have disassembled the engine, selected the best parts, and finished the machine work, it may seem as if the toughest part of a rebuild is over, but it isn’t. As with every other aspect of a Modular engine rebuild, the assembly is challenging … [Click here to read more...]

Ford Small-Block Rebuild: Torque Specs, Sequences, and Alignment

Ford Small-Block Rebuild: Torque Specs, Sequences, and Alignment

Cylinder Numbers and Firing Order / Torque Sequences This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO REBUILD THE SMALL-BLOCK FORD. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link: LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK … [Click here to read more...]

Ford FE Engines:  The Complete History

Ford FE Engines: The Complete History

The FE Ford engine was released into production in 1958. The earliest applications included use in the short-lived Edsel program. The FE was not a replacement for the Y-block; it was a larger companion to an engine family sharing some design … [Click here to read more...]

Ford FE Engine Intake Manifolds: The Ultimate Guide

Ford FE Engine Intake Manifolds: The Ultimate Guide

Ford FE intake manifolds are unique to this engine family, and instantly recognizable when compared to any other engine’s parts. One third of the valve cover extends over the intake casting, and the pushrods run through cast or machined passages in … [Click here to read more...]

Ford Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain Interchange: Small-Block

Ford Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain Interchange: Small-Block

Few things determine an engine’s personality more than cylinder heads, camshafts, and rocker arms. Ford V-8s have always struggled to make power because they’ve always been limited by factory cylinder head design. Port size on small-block Fords has … [Click here to read more...]

Ford C4 and C6 Transmission Trouble Shooting Guide

Ford C4 and C6 Transmission Trouble Shooting Guide

It’s good to have a source to guide you when you’re struggling with troublesome transmission function. You can be methodical and cover all the bases during a rebuild and still things can go wrong. This is where a step-by-step approach to the problem … [Click here to read more...]

Ford Axle History and Identification: Ford Differentials

Ford Axle History and Identification: Ford Differentials

Before you embark on the rebuild and start scouring local scrap yards and online websites, it will be helpful to understand what to look for and what to avoid in these axles. First, you need to understand some fundamentals of the Ford axles to help … [Click here to read more...]

Ford AODE/4R70W Guide: Calibration, Building, Troubleshooting

Ford AODE/4R70W Guide: Calibration, Building, Troubleshooting

Ford’s AOD evolved into a highly successful mechanically modulated transmission from its 1980 introduction until production ended in 1991. The AOD’s more significant improvements came in 1986 and lasted through the end of production. Ford developed … [Click here to read more...]

Ford AOD Transmission Installation and Swapping Guide

Ford AOD Transmission Installation and Swapping Guide

Although transmission installation and adjustment appears straight-forward, you should take an orderly, methodical approach to ensure success. You’re either swapping in an AOD, AODE, or 4R70W, or you’re removing and reinstalling one. Size up the job … [Click here to read more...]

Ford 9 Inch Differential Guide: Third-Member Assembly

Ford 9 Inch Differential Guide: Third-Member Assembly

This is where you combine the assembled differential with the gear case and hypoid gears. Plus, you also add the necessary bearings, seals, and shims. You can purchase individual pieces or a complete kit that includes everything that you … [Click here to read more...]

Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: Block Identification Guide

Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: Block Identification Guide

There has always been some confusion when it comes to Cleveland block identification. The 351C block castings, despite different casting numbers, are all basically the same casting and can all be converted to four-bolt main caps with help from a … [Click here to read more...]

Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Ignition Guide: Timing

Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Ignition Guide: Timing

Adjusting ignition timing must be performed with a timing light with an accurate harmonic balancer. Be sure your harmonic balancer has its timing marks properly indexed. You’d be surprised how many times you get it wrong using a worn-out balancer or … [Click here to read more...]

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Selecting Parts

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Selecting Parts

Parts selection is one of the most important elements of engine building because all parts must operate in concert with one another. Never has this been more crucial than with Ford’s Modular V-8 because of the many variations produced since 1991. You … [Click here to read more...]

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Before You Begin

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Before You Begin

When Ford introduced the 4.6L single overhead cam (SOHC) “Modular” V-8 in 1991 in the Lincoln Town Car, it took Ford enthusiasts by surprise because it was unlike any other Ford V-8 ever made. It wasn’t like the classic FE-Series 427 SOHC V-8 that … [Click here to read more...]

351 Cleveland Cylinder Heads Guide: Factory Iron Heads

351 Cleveland Cylinder Heads Guide: Factory Iron Heads

Although there’s some confusion over Cleveland cylinder heads, the 335-series engine family has the easiest line-up of Ford cylinder heads to understand. • 351C-4V closed wedge chamber (bolt-fulcrum rockers) 351C-4V closed wedge chamber, … [Click here to read more...]

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