1961 Mounting rearend | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1961 Mounting rearend

  • Thread starter Thread starter keithnh
  • Start date Start date
keithnh

keithnh

Bronze Member
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Thunderbird Year
1961
Just obtained correct rear for my 61 I believe (supposed to be a 62). I dont know ratio but appears to be complete and intact. Will crack open after sandblast/primer to check ratio and 3rd member axle condition. Need to install asap and would like to 1 and done it. Shopping for parts I need .. found new lower shock mount/u-bolt plates for 90.00/pr. See many other parts per Larry's blow-up of "1961 rear suspension", many with a number code that appear unavailable from his catalog. Wondered if there is another place I can look that will have everything needed. Thought PST might have a "kit" but couldnt find on their site. Not looking for race parts just correct factory-type parts. Wish I could get all correct Moog parts if they exist.

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keithnh said:
Just obtained correct rear for my 61 I believe (supposed to be a 62). I dont know ratio but appears to be complete and intact. Will crack open after sandblast/primer to check ratio and 3rd member axle condition. Need to install asap and would like to 1 and done it. Shopping for parts I need .. found new lower shock mount/u-bolt plates for 90.00/pr. See many other parts per Larry's blow-up of "1961 rear suspension", many with a number code that appear unavailable from his catalog. Wondered if there is another place I can look that will have everything needed. Thought PST might have a "kit" but couldnt find on their site. Not looking for race parts just correct factory-type parts. Wish I could get all correct Moog parts if they exist.
Click to expand...
If your still in need of parts , try Bird Nest in Oregon. I have also gotten info from them by calling, they yry to help.
 
Ordered their catalog ... noted they had some suspension parts I believe Larry's didnt from their pdf, numbers seemed to correspond with Larry's diagram. Cool 🙂
 
keithnh said:
Just obtained correct rear for my 61 I believe (supposed to be a 62). I dont know ratio but appears to be complete and intact. Will crack open after sandblast/primer to check ratio and 3rd member axle condition. Need to install asap and would like to 1 and done it. Shopping for parts I need .. found new lower shock mount/u-bolt plates for 90.00/pr. See many other parts per Larry's blow-up of "1961 rear suspension", many with a number code that appear unavailable from his catalog. Wondered if there is another place I can look that will have everything needed. Thought PST might have a "kit" but couldnt find on their site. Not looking for race parts just correct factory-type parts. Wish I could get all correct Moog parts if they exist.
Click to expand...

The 1961 BIRD rear suspension has some differences from the 1962-63 -

REAR SUSP - 1961 TBIRD.png
REAR SUSP - 1962-63 TBIRD.png
REAR AXLE IDENTIFICATION TAG.png​
 
Quite a difference .. likely the 61-62 rears will interchange mount-wise if entire mount package kept same. Looks like later has a sturdier spring to axle mount, not sure about difference in front spring-frame setup. Wonder if leaf springs are same? .. looks like they might be. Have to check my front and rear spring to frame mounts as well as acquire the axle mount setups I have not one part of. Will copy this diagram and add to my search list.
 
Curious why 5775 pn's illustrated show 4 different parts .. my rear ones have been yanked on possibly the fronts as well as there is only a loose pole axle under car. May need to replace any or all of those.
 
keithnh said:
Curious why 5775 pn's illustrated show 4 different parts .. my rear ones have been yanked on possibly the fronts as well as there is only a loose pole axle under car. May need to replace any or all of those.
Click to expand...

The top ILL shows MODEL YEAR 1961, the second ILL shows MODEL YEARS 1962/63. The rear suspension was upgraded in 1962 for a better ride (ride comfort)
 
Rears are still at blast shop, havent gotten it under car yet. Will make a paper impression of leaf spring pads today, compare to car this week-end .. snap some closeups of my "5775's" front and rear as well. Possibly see if they are bent, will not know if they are "true" .. believe this would have major impact on cruising ability. I like stopping and going straight no hands on wheel .. especially with a heavier car.

Looking closer at illustration appears I will have to measure mount pin distance between each other as springs may be closer together on 62-3 ... *&#@!! 🙂
 
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Was thinking the axle hsg pads would have the u-bolt holes and was disheartened after looking at my rear at shop. After a little more thought I realized they would go on the outside of pad(I think) 🙂 There is a tag on the rear but I couldnt make out the code, will get off today maybe and bring home to look at better. It does measure 41 1/2 to 42" pinhole to pinhole and the pads are 3x5 1/2"ish. Measured the hanging spring distance some time ago on car, appeared to be 41-42". If this is a tbird rear it may fit right. I would prefer to use the later parts for better ride if possible. Appears since I have little of those parts the ?? marks for me would be can I make the newer front spring mount work and are the frame members the same distance apart. Not to mention finding the parts 🙂 Working my Western Star at shop tho, it is priority 1.
IMG_1871[1].JPGIMG_1868[1].JPGIMG_1870[1].JPG
 
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Going to drop tag in Evaporust for a day or 2 as I cant read numbers too well but see there alot of them. Still have to remove 3rd member and verify integrity of everything inside. Does not appear to be leaking, spins easily .. one side spins opposite the other .. guess that means it's an open rear-end. I like the driving feel of a posi so would be looking to add it in the future if possible. Did an Auburn gear unit in a 3:08 10-bolt Firebird years ago that is still healthy. Might try to do PM on this rear by changing seals/bearings if needed, like to gain some experience with 9".
 
Your installing a 62 REAR ASSY into a 1961 BIRD may present a few problems with leaf spring mounting (at axle hsng).

You may have to source 1962 spring mounting parts -

- 1961 LEAF SPRING MOUNTING PARTS DETAIL -
REAR SUSP - 1961 TBIRD _2.png

- 1962 LEAF SPRING MOUNTING PARTS DETAIL -​

REAR SUSP - 1962-63 TBIRD _2.png
REAR SUSP - AXLE HOUSING LEAF SPRING PADS.png
 
Dont have any of the yellowed parts yet (except axle hsg pads).. hoping they will interchange as Im leaning to 62. Did find new pair 5798,5799 for 89.00( they look different in illustrations 🙁 ), will likely end up spending more on the mounts than I did on the rear, just hope I can find the stuff. Think I emailed Birds Nest .. havent heard back .. will check spam.
 
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