Rearend size, still not sure

[MrClean]

I have asked this question before and I have a split decision....I have an 86 GT with AOD. I want to put gears in but I am unsure of what size I need and what gear to install. Is there a correct answer?

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86 GT - BBK Equal shorties, BBK H-pipe, Flowmasters, 70mm Tb, BBK cold air intake. Automatic. 96k miles.

I think after 85, most GT mustangs came with the 8.8 (i could be wrong).... as stated on here before, the diff cover on a 7.5 has rounded sides and the 8.8 has flat sides. easy to determine if you look at the cover. my 84 has a 7.5.

for gears, it's totally up to you, kinda like asking which came first the chicken or the egg... I think the best all around gears would be 3:73's (my opinion). then there are the 3:55's or 4:10's but it depends on what you use the car for and what your future plans are.......

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Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060, 10.5" clutch, T5,89 ported heads, edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam, 600 Holley, high volume oil pump, front P235/60/R15's, rear P245/60/R15's.....

Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!!

will this ever end????

[82 GT]

MrClean, you have an 8.8 rearend. All GT and LX 5.0's came with this rear size.
As far as what gears to get, It seems to be almost a standard practice to get 4.10's if you are running an automatic.


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'82 GT 351W C-4,BBK headers,Carter 625 carb,Comp.Cam,Flowmaster exhaust.
1988 GT...T-5,bone stock

Not ALL, my 84 GT has the 7.5..

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Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060, 10.5" clutch, T5,89 ported heads, edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam, 600 Holley, high volume oil pump, front P235/60/R15's, rear P245/60/R15's.....

Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!!

will this ever end????

[shovelnose]

If you look at the diff. pan the 7.5" will be wider than it is tall. A 8.8" will be taller than it is wide.

7.5

.*******
*********
*********
.*******

8.8

.******
********
********
********
.******

Don't know if this helps. If you measure the bolt spacing from top to bottom and the measurement is greater than the bolt spaceing from side to side it's an 8.8. If the measurement is less than side to side it's a 7.5.

Do you not have a tag on the pan?

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82 Mercury Capri 302, Comp. Cams, Tremec 3550, 3.73's, 12.8@106 N/A
Kevin's Capri
Kevin's Mustang


[This message has been edited by shovelnose (edited 09-05-2001).]

[MrClean]

Well, it is a 8.8 I just made the commitment. I purchased a 8.8 install kit.

Thanks all.

[82 GT]

What I meant to say was all GT and LX 5.0's after 1985 were 8.8 rears.


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'82 GT 351W C-4,BBK headers,Carter 625 carb,Comp.Cam,Flowmaster exhaust.
1988 GT...T-5,bone stock