Fordnatics List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Charles Molineux)

I recently installed a new center section in my versailles rear
axle (68 mustang) and ever since the car seems to surge at highway speeds.
There is also an ominous clunk when I put it into gear, especially reverse.
There does not seem to be a whine of any kind. I installed new Richmond
3.89 gears and a new Detroit locker. I used all new bearings and bolts. I
also have all new u-joints to the clunk is not them.

Is it possible for the gears to be slipping in any fashion and causing the
high speed surging???? I set the gears up kinda loose because of the
ratchet action of the locker. Has anybody had similar problems????

Thanx

=====================================================================
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Hasta La
Vista>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Charles Molineux
(email redacted)
1968 Ford Mustang Coupe (289)
Best time 13.6 @ 102mph
=====================================================================

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Fontana Peter" <(email redacted)>

> I recently installed a new center section in my versailles rear
> axle (68 mustang) and ever since the car seems to surge at highway speeds.
> There is also an ominous clunk when I put it into gear, especially reverse.
> There does not seem to be a whine of any kind. I installed new Richmond
> 3.89 gears and a new Detroit locker. I used all new bearings and bolts. I
> also have all new u-joints to the clunk is not them.

> Is it possible for the gears to be slipping in any fashion and causing the
> high speed surging???? I set the gears up kinda loose because of the
> ratchet action of the locker. Has anybody had similar problems????

I'm not an "expert" on gear lash, but let me say you really have very little
latitude in setting your lash - you can't set the gear mesh "kinda loose".
Even if you could, this would make the negative effects of the locker more
pronounced. I would definitely cause clunking, and reverse would be bad.
The "surging" is not gear slipping, but it could be the driveline floating in
between loaded and unloaded - with "kinda loose" gears, there's a lot more
room than just the usual u-joint and tranny slop.

HotRod magazine and others have published many articles over the years on how
to set up your 9" rear - some are very specific.

To all: can anyone tell Charles how much rotational play is the max
recommended?