Do wagons have 31 spline?
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1970-1971 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1970-1971 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=14679
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 6:34PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Do wagons have 31 spline?
Posted By: steevil
Subject: Do wagons have 31 spline?
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 8:14AM
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I have an opportunity to buy a 9" third member complete with 3.00 gears for cheap! It's out of a 66 T-bird and is 28 spline. My question is, do STATION WAGONS automatically come with 31 spline axles? My 1970 Fairlane Station wagon was originally a 351 car and has factory disk brakes and trailer hitch. I read somewhere that this was part of the optional tow package. When I bought the car, it already had a 429 installed and 3.91 gears. The 3.91s are too steep for highway use and I'd like to swap back to the 3.00 gears. I know it's as simple as pulling out an axle and checking but the car is buried in snow outside. Any help is greatly appreciatted. ------------- 1926 Model T Touring 1928 Model A sedan 1930 Model A sedan 1970 Fairlane 500 Wagon 2001 Focus Wagon |
Replies:
Posted By: Nuggets
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 8:19AM
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what does the end of the shaft look like? two dots or a bath tub? ------------- Barnaby 429 powered 73 Stripper.....no comfort, just noise! |
Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 8:27AM
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From the factory, it should have been 28. (may even have been an 8" rear) If someone went to the trouble to install a new drivetrain and gears, no telling what else was done... ------------- "What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
Posted By: steevil
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 12:31PM
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The door sticker is tough to read...it's almost destroyed. The axle has a bath tub indent on the end. The axle code is "9" and another digit that I cannot read. ------------- 1926 Model T Touring 1928 Model A sedan 1930 Model A sedan 1970 Fairlane 500 Wagon 2001 Focus Wagon |
Posted By: 67gt5003119
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 1:01PM
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"The axle has a bath tub indent on the end" that is a 28 spline axle. Your wagon will have a 28 spline factory even if it is a "2 dimple" or "bathtub" marked axle shaft. My CJ GTS had a dimpled axle shaft and my H code GTS had the bathtub axles. Both were 28. Only in the mustang world is the dimpled axles 31 spline. |
Posted By: steevil
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 1:25PM
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That is excellent news! I found a relatively new 3.00 open center section and only $150! Allegedly has new bearings and was only used for about 6 months. A nice as a traction-lock would be, I don't plan on drag racing or anything, more concerned about drivability. ------------- 1926 Model T Touring 1928 Model A sedan 1930 Model A sedan 1970 Fairlane 500 Wagon 2001 Focus Wagon |
Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 2:09PM
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Before you install it, make SURE it has a fill plug. Some early 9" centers don't have them, as they were filled thru a plug/hole in the housing. ------------- "What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 26-January-2016 at 4:39PM
 ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Big Bird wrote:Posted By: steevil
Date Posted: 27-January-2016 at 11:25PM
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Good call! I'll have to check it out. It's out of a 66 Thunderbird so hopefully it should have a fill plug. ------------- 1926 Model T Touring 1928 Model A sedan 1930 Model A sedan 1970 Fairlane 500 Wagon 2001 Focus Wagon |