just bought a '66 T-bird, need axle ID info

[Guest]

greetings- I just bought a '66 T-bird and want to ID the rear axle- did these come with 9" Ford housing, or is it the big-car 9.375" ring gear housing ?

any help appreciated and needed

thanks in advance

66tb

[scumdog]

A question I would like answered too.

They (according to the workshop manual) came with both types - but how to tell the difference?

[Guest]

Hi their is a tag (or should be) on the rear. I have a 300 open rear. Meaning not pose. That is the most common one there is. If you have a tag let me know and i.ll tell you what you have. i have the shop manual. Also what's the code on your Vin #? Bill

[scumdog]

Vin

My '66 T-bird VIN is: 6Y87Z108108, is that any help?

The rear seems to be a 'posi' type, not sure of tag info - I'll have to check but I THINK this is it: W CD - J.

They reason I THINK that's the number is that I copied the tag letters onto a bit of paper about 6 months ago - and after looking around have found a bit of paper with the above letters, however it may be irrelevant and have nothing to do with the T-bird as I also recall recording the tag from a 4-speed Toploader I have!!

If it doesn't make sense I'll have to jack up my '66 and have another look at the tag.

[Guest]

On your vin tag were it says axle there should be a # 1 300:1 3 320:1 or 6 280:1.There looks like they use a letter if
It's a posi. Now that's if it was built after oct.18 1965.

[scumdog]

I see there is mention in the workshop manual of a 9.375" rear end (9.3/8th?).

How do you know if you have one of these instead of a regular 9"?

[ricksta56]

Reviving an old thread, Any resolution here?

[jopizz]

All 1966 Thunderbirds had the option of 8 3/4"(listed in the parts book but probably never used), 9" and 9 3/8" ring gears regardless of whether or not it was locking or non-locking. If you want to know what rear you have just look at the data plate. There is also a plate on the front of the rear housing that has the ratio and the locking or non-locking code.

John