I have a 9" rear end out of a 57-58 Ford that I bought for my 66. My question is about the spring perches. The leaf springs on the axle measure 2" and the Mustangs are 2 1/2 do I need to replace the perches with a wider set or can I leave what's on there? The perches are in the perfect spot(43" center) and the axle measures 57 1/4 or 1/2(hard to measure) to the wheel mating surface so I should be good there too right?
I've got one too, and was planning on doing the same thing. The centering pins on the springs should still hold it in place on the narrower axle pads so long as they're the same size. Haven't checked mine yet as it's still under the '59 parts car!
I was going to get the a/m plates that have the tie down loop integrated into them. They're thicker and should line up just right. I wouldn't want to file anything off the stock plates as I've seen way to many of them already bowed when removed- pretty thin for a 9".
Pretty sure the 50's 9" uses larger 3" tubes and will require larger U-bolts/plates than what comes on the Mustang which is a smaller diameter.
For that reason you probably need to use the earlier plates OR see if there is enough meat to file a slots in your Mustang plates to accommodate the larger tube diameter. The wider spread bolts can be sourced from places like NAPA (or internet resources) if you don't have them.
I did that that swap when I was 16 (1970) when those rears were easy to come by. Can't imagine I did anything but bolt it in. I do remember not having the correct u-joint and centering it on the yoke and tightening down the u-bolts. I also remember having it come apart on a burn out and having the drive shaft take out the brake line and I didn't have the e-brake hooked up. Oh to be 16 again. Fun times and lots of energy.
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