How to Properly Assemble a Ford 9 Inch Rear for High Performance use

Today we prepare our Ford 9 Inch Rear Third member aka Center Section with case from Speedmaster, gears from Motive Gear, and Spool from Moser Engineering. We go through the process of setting bearing preload, gear mesh, and backlash of the gear set. This is the rear that will go into the Twin Turbo LS powered 1974 Chevrolet Nova that we are preparing for the No Name Nationals which is taking place at Jeffer's Motorsports Park in September.
Thanks for watching!!
0:00 Intro
1:33 Description Of Process
3.13 Clearance Check
4:11 Axle Spool Compatibility Check
4:33 Pressing in Bearings/Races
6:13 Setting Pinion Bearing Preload
10:01 Installing Ring Gear onto Spool
10:50 Setting Pinion Depth
16:58 Installing Spool and Setting Backlash
21:36 Setting Carrier Bearing Preload
24:24 Installing Pilot Bearing
25:45 Verifying Stack Height
26:35 Running the Gear Pattern
28:43 Comparing Weight of Aluminum Case to Iron Case
29:13 Outro

[@Mike-xt2ot]

Hands down the best tutorial on property setting up a rear end. Better than any unlimited budget network has ever shown. Thank you. I hope this gets 50 million views.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks man

[@garyhowe88]

Never ever going to build a 9inch, but just enjoy watching your videos!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks!

[@daverupes7022]

Dang that's a cool Christmas present for your dad ! Now your setting it up for him to have some fun with, how cool is that!

[@fuhkoffandie]

When your wife buys you a pinion depth gauge for Christmas, uh, no need to flex. Your family is definitely the coolest family ever. Really, you guys are awesome. I watch this channel, and Billy the kid, with his S10. He's another one that's a father and son team. Just want to let you all know, you got the coolest parents ever, so take them out to dinner one night, or something. Cause not everybody gets to have parents cooler than they are!!!💯💯💯💯💯

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks!

[@thegearheadchico7759]

This is the best E/I video on youtube for the ford 9 inch.I can not wait to see these cars run down the track!!👍🔧 See you on the 6th fellas!!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks so much! See you then!!

[@user-gn7wc4nn5e]

Best video how-to i found ! Thanks

[@anthonyresendez6081]

You guys are awesome,!! Thank you so much for the information.

[@fuhkoffandie]

Now that I'm done blowing smoke up your butt, this Ford 9-in information is technical gold. I've built a lot of dana's, a lot of GM rears, Ford 8.8, a lot of crush collar rears, but I haven't got into too many third members, as far as gear setup. Yeah this is absolute gold. you don't miss a beat. I got one on the floor right now I'm setting up so this is invaluable to me, thank you.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks. Glad you found it helpful

[@USMC1984]

This is why I like the Ford 9”… you can do all the set up on a bench with out having to dance around an axle. And if you have the funds you can have a couple third members set up with different gears for a quick change!

[@CapablePimento]

I will be building a 9 inch when i get that far. I will definitely keep this vid at the ready. Thanks Calvin.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

No problem. Glad we could help.

[@MinnesotaisRust]

Great video, saving for when I need it!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks

[@davidanderson2393]

Great performance build video, a lot of people think just because they have a Ford 9" differential it will take high horsepower. As soon as you start using sticky tires and adding power you will find the shortcomings of stock carriers, pinion supports etc. Ring gear deflection from stock carriers and supports is a big problem and gear set killer, aftermarket carriers and supports aren't that expensive and are great insurance for making your rear end live. Keep up the great videos and building those unique racer combinations, very inspirational.

[@francfurian8215]

Hey guys that was excellent. It's definitely the best 9 inch assemby & explanation I've watched online. Keep up the great work. Cheers🙂

[@blainethompson6510]

Thanks again guys for your insight

[@SARJENT.]

Dood! Awesome vid! Thanks for sharing.

[@hondatech5000]

If nnn wasn’t so far away I would come. Excellent work well done on the explanation and the special tools man I wish I had Toyota versions of those. Did several tundra diffs

[@lol123321123321]

My pointer finger looks exactly like yours. We must of had the same surgeon 🤣 didn't lose the knuckle but fro. The nail up all gone.

[@mdburns]

Outstanding video

[@michaelblacktree]

Great video! 👍

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

Great video

[@ryantinney]

Great instructional video guys.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks a lot

[@dionrau5580]

20 pound's is 20 pound's, 🏁

[@elbertpearsall1936]

I have a 9" and the gear set in it now are 3.25 is that an good all around set up?

[@young11984]

Just showed me a switch to an aluminum 3rd member can be the difference between enjoying my cheeseburgers vs some tofu mess this women wants me to eat😂😂

[@Calvin-Nelson]

You're welcome! Lol

[@reliant_turbo]

love the video.... love the whole family involvement..... what did you use to seal the pinion bearing portion and .013" shim to the rest of the 3rd member and is it a zero clearance sealant.... when you are adjusting things .001" at a time, i can imagine slathering RTV on the surfaces can change the pattern/mesh.... just curious.... ive only done bearing preloads on FWD gearboxes and didnt have to worry about any right angle gearsets. Thanks.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It uses an o-ring to prevent that

[@reliant_turbo]

@@Calvin-Nelson cool ... That works even better.

[@markwoten6679]

Why did you not complete a 360 degrees roll the center section to check the wear pattern of the gears?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

The marking compound is only in one area.

[@MartinBorn]

Question, is it important to turn the gears in driving direction the last time you check the pattern with the compound? I assume so, because of backlash?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

You turn it both ways.

[@MartinBorn]

@@Calvin-Nelson I saw that. I was wondering if the direction of the last pass before the inspection of the pattern matters.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@MartinBorn ohhhh. Got it. No it does not.

[@Mike-xt2ot]

Can you alter your backlash for oil clearance for the increased shear load on the launch of a high horsepower car with a trans brake? Too much science for my head but thought it could be a tuning tool for how much it shocks the tires on launch.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Possibly. We don't have experience with that. We normally set it up for the factory spec and then it's good to go for whatever

[@thewraith6360]

Do you guys know more or less the weight of a 9" vs an 8.8?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Great question. We do not. We'll have to weigh it sometime. There are a lot of variables with that too. Nodular center vs not vs aluminum. Fabricated housing, etc

[@roadrunner1391]

good video..I have a question my case bearing are 3250 and cut that i half it is 1625 when i measure the case 1627 do i add shims or subtract thank you....

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Are you talking about setting your pinion depth? If so, you just factor that into the math for setting it. The pinion depth that is marked on the gears is from the centerline, so take that measurement you made into account when checking.

[@roadrunner1391]

I did that the pinion number is 1.029 i put a 17 thousand shim in it now i have 1.029 what do i do the case read 1627 do i add more shim

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@roadrunner1391 so you added a shim and nothing changed?

[@roadrunner1391]

@@Calvin-Nelson in the video he had a measurement 1624 and he subtract 00.1 thousand to the pinion shim

[@davidcallahan5157]

Who makes this Aluminum third member? Nice job !

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Speedmaster

[@davidcallahan5157]

@@Calvin-Nelson back 20 years ago I used set gears for a customer had a strange aluminum Housing, your dad has a lot good info on set up , If you’re ever out west at racemeet I’ll have to say hi. Love the Channel.

[@tomdivito264]

​@@Calvin-Nelson how much HP has this case been able to handle I can't find real world comparisons ?

[@rickyfulks6656]

That's a snap ring

[@rickyfulks6656]

My budget is a logo for paying a pro rate unfortunately. Pockets r very shallow 😢