8" or 9"?

[mistowomofo]

I just bought my '67 Cougar back from my dad. I've heard that these cars could come with an 8" or a 9" rear end. How do I tell which rear it is?
It looks like a 9" to me????????????

[1SLO5.0]

The 2 rear ends look similar. They both have removeable carriers. A quick way to tell if it is a 9" is to grab a socket and ratchet and see if you can get the socket on all of the bottom nuts that hold the carrier in. If the socket goes straight on, it is an 8". If you can't get the socket on, it is a 9". 9" center sections have a bigger snout on the carrier that obstructs the bottom bolts.

[mistowomofo]

Thanks for the info. I'll jack it up in the morning and take a look.

[jdsgallops]

The 8" is more oval, the 9" is more round. Once you see the two next to each other you will never forget the difference. Unless the rear has been swapped out, or the car was an original 4v 289 my money is on an 8". If it is you don't need to be in a hurry to swap it out. They can take some punishment and with a little knowledge gears and a posi can be had for pretty cheap. Just look for a V8 mustang 2. Lots of them had 3.55's and a posi. ;)

[mistowomofo]

Looks like it's an 8". :lame:

Thanks for your help.

[El nino]

nice rear...lol if your gonna tease with partial picts you should have cut the pict in half lol

[mistowomofo]

Sorry, it's just that the cars dirty and needs work. The pics are pretty crappy too.

[El nino]

ive all ways liked the cougars, nice car, lots o potential

[mistowomofo]

It's an arizona car pretty rust free.
I've got a 289 in it now with a performer intake, 600 holley, cheapy .488I, .488E/218*I, 218*E @.050 cam, and a set of summit headers.
I'ld like to find a cheap early bronco 9" to put in it, otherwise I'll just find a posi for the 8" and get a set of 4.11s for it. The car needs a torque converter too.
After I get that stuff taken care of I'ld like to build up a 331 or the other 289 I've got lying around (I've got some .030+ 12.5:1 forged pistons for it), or maybe even a 351W that I've got.
All the coin I've got saved up will be going to get my '73 formula done before I can sink too much cash into the cougar.

[jdsgallops]

My first "muscle car" was a 67 cougar. I bought it the first time I moved to FL when i was 19. I loved that car. I had the chance to buy it back several years ago but just didn't have the cash. It always got complements even though it was a little rusty and had promer on it. The key to that is using the old lower the A arm trick, It gives the car a killer stance. The worse part of these cars are the turn signals and headlight covers. If neither one works it is a PITA and a good chunk of change to get them in working order again.

Nice looking ride. How is the interior?

[mistowomofo]

LOL! Yeah I've just about got the tail lights working, but I haven't got to screwing around with the headlights yet. I've got 3 whole sets of cougar headlights for parts though, so hopefully I won't have too much trouble with them.
The interiors "all there" but it needs alot of work.