I would like to add to,"Gearheads" correct reply.
Most any car from Ford And Merc. that came with a V8 had a 9 inch. Starting in 1957 ending in 1986.
Also note your bigger 6 cylinder engined cars also carried a 9 inch. Most cars with engines like a 170-200 6er carried a 8 inch rear.
Most all standard v8s came with a 9inch open carrier,with 28 spline axles. 8 inch 28 spline axles will work in the 9 inch carrier. As long as the lenght is the same.
Pre-66 9 inch rears also have smaller axle tubes. Alot of power can be put on the tubes,but in high horspower applications a post 66 housing should be used. Pre-66 housings can be identified by the lack of a,"bluge" when looking at it from behind. Same look as the 8 inch. If the carrier has,"WAR" stamped on it,its a older carrier,dont use it in high horspower combos.
As for gear ratios its a grab bag. When hunting a big spline high ratio rear. Look for the large cars with even larger engines. There you may score a 31 spline locker,or posi,or even a Trac-loc differential. Most of these combos are gone though,but not all.
The majority of ratios from small windsor motors,fall usually between 2.73's-3.25's. But, can be found in those bigger cars with large engines. Imagine that.
And if your lucky to find a 9 inch carrier with a "N" stamped between the ribs,keep it.
Sorry for too much info. BUt hope it helped anyway.
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