[eder]

I am the recent purchaser of a 1976 Ford Mustang II and know very little about it. It has the stock 4 cylinder and I am putting a 302 in it. Was there a different rear end offered for the bigger engines? Did it have more that a four bolt hub. Should I change the whole rear end or just the gear ratio? I won't be racing or anything, just a kick around car for fun.

 

[panteno]

There was no 8.8 in a Mustang II! The four banger had a LIGHT duty 7.5" rear. Most V8 Mustangs of that era had an 8" rear, plenty for a mild 302, and they were 4 bolt lugs. Granadas had 8 inch rears and SHOULD be the right length, but they will be a 5 lug. It's hard to find an 8 inch 3rd member in the bone yard with more than a 2.73 gear.

 

[baldrik]

Why? It would be so much easier to buy a Mustang II with the 302 already in it - many more of those are still around than the ones with the 4 & V6s, anyway.

You will end up putting way to much time & money into this project than it is worth - believe me. Been there, done that to a '76 Mustang II, swapped the V6 for the V8. It was a major headache, then I gave up on all the hassles and bought a 1979 Mustang Ghia with the 302 already in it. Good choice!

Drive the 'Stang they way it is & save up your $$$ for it's repacement.

 

[dooley28]

My old mustang II rear end was swapped out of a Maverick Grabber 8in . Never had a problem with it running behind a 302 and C4. 7.5 is a weak spot !!

Scott M, +1 to your idea !
add a EFI 2.3 Turbo (tbird/merkurs) in that lightweight car !!
everyone has a 302...be different

 

[baldur84]

Technically....your going to want to check the lateral bar spring on each side of the side welder valve. Then just to be sure it's always best to replace the bearing suction hinges whenever you are looking at a new rear end. The gear ratio doesn't matter if the fuel to air ratio is between 345.2 and 456.7 on all models made after 1970. You can get the 4 bolt hubs in the dumpster of any Pep Boys. Toning down the mono-flux squelch module wouldn't hurt either.

 

[delmon]

thats bad**s im changing my 4 banger ranger into a 302 right now but yeah im pretty sure it has the 8.8 rear end on it which will hold the 302 and yeah it does have a 5 bolt hub and about the gear ratio its pretty much up to you

 

[rooney]

if your not going to race it . or put it to the test. no problem. or put whole new reae end in it. 5 bolt

 

[zachary]

Here is a good group to join, but you'll need the v8 setup from 75 to 93, they all are 7.5 with 4bolt wheels.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/MustangIIMA/

 

[codi]

Keep the 4 banger and put a turbo on it from a T-Bird, they're the same engines. Lighter too.

I suspect you'd want to change the rear end eventiually, it depends on how long it will last. Use it 'till it breaks.