Whats the difference in nine inches, big bearing, small bearing??
What would a 67 EB have? What are the drawbacks of the early year, as opposed to the later ones??
Thanks,

Brian--

I don't know which years had big bearing, and after 20-30 years, a lot of the bronco's have gone through some swaps. The BB housing can be identified by the step up at the ends of the housings like in the picture below. All the EB's came with the old style housings. The later housing had built in trussing kinda. I think you know what I'm talking about. Those are more desireable, but you would have to have them narrowed of course. Actually I think that maybe 76-77 came with that style housing.

I bought a 74 parts bronco and scored a BB 9" with nodular housing. I don't think the owner knew, cuz 27 years of road crud was hiding the gold.

A 28 spline small bearing axle is weaker than a BB axle. In fact the 28 spline BB axles are supposed to be pretty tough.

If I had to guess, I'd think that a 67 would be small bearing, but I really don't know. I know I wouldn't shop specifically for an EB 9". Full width area a dime a dozen and they can be narrowed for next to nothing. The nodular 3rd's are desirable too, because the standard 3rd's crack when put to work.

A 35 spline Dana 60 is still a better way to go. You can have 9" ends put on the 60 housing and use the 9" disc brake stuff etc...that's what I'm doing if I ever can afford to buy the stuff.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/ebwidth.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/3rdnod.jpg

Originally posted by Nobody
[B]All the EB's came with the old style housings. The later housing had built in trussing kinda. I think you know what I'm talking about. Those are more desireable, but you would have to have them narrowed of course. Actually I think that maybe 76-77 came with that style housing.



The later BB housings had the trussing you described.

The BB came in all years allthough the 'trussing' as described above may only be on the '76-'77 EB.
The BB was on the #4900 GVW package. Most BB's seem to have been more prevalent(sp) in the later years. Most (but not all) BB had 11" drums vs the 10" on the SB.

Nobody: Nice score on that 'N' case.

Eric

Originally posted by Alpo23
The BB came in all years allthough the 'trussing' as described above may only be on the '76-'77 EB.

i believe that the "trussing" was only on the '77. i have a BB 76 sitting in the back of my B2 and it doesnt appear to have any.

while we are on the subject of EB 9"s:

is the case with the extra vertical rib, but NO "N" as good as a reagular "N" case? i've heard arguements that they are the same, just before they put the N there, and also that they are the same, just with an extra rib.

also, if you could get an extra vertical rib, but NO "N" case, would it be worth it if it was a good deal?

if you had a BB with 28 spline axles and were looking to do a complete rebuild of it (gears, locker, etc) would it be worth going ahead and converting to 31 spline?


just for fact purposes, the axle i have is '76 BB w/ 11" drums, standard case, no "trussing" and i'm assuming 28 spline axles(will check tomorrow)

Nodular is a type of iron. It's stronger than standard cast iron. I don't really recall the specifics of it. I don't think the extra rib has all that much to do with it. I'm pretty sure the nodular 3rd's should be cast with the N. I certainly wouldn't pay for one if I wasn't sure. I know the street price is around $200. Look em up on ebay sometime.

On most the failures, the housing cracks around the pinion pilot bearing.

If I were to do a full rebuild with locker etc. I wouldn't waste my money on a 28 spline locker. I'd definately go for a 31 spline unit, then cut my losses by selling my old axles, which there is some demand for.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/3rd.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/3rdbreak.jpg

you can also determine if an axle is BB or SB by the width between the 4 bolts on the axle retaining plate.

btw: thanks nobody! :beer:

SB bolts on the end are 2" x 3 3/8" square, BB is 2 3/8" x 3 1/2" square. SB uses 7/16" bolts, BB typically 1/2" although I have heard of at least one case where a BB used 7/16" so that's not a guarentee. I'd just measure the holes.

Nobody is right about where the 9" fails. the early years of 9" production ('57-mid '60s) had a very week design of the casting not to mention not very good Iron quality. Ford made changes to try to strengthen the third bearing support including the famed 'N' Nodular Iron cases for the Big Block Mustangs/Cougars/Torinos. I've heard rumors (misinformation alert!!!!) that there were some Nodular Cases made with out the 'N'. Only resaerch of the casting numbers on the case will tell for sure.

BTW this page of Wild Horses Website shows how to determine by the bearing retainer plate whether it is a BB.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/18.asp


Eric

All references I know of say that if there is no N on the housing, then it is not Nodular.

Yes, if your replacing the dif, upgrade to 31 spline. Axles are cheep, if your going through the rear end, you'll probable replacing the wheel bearings any way, and as was other wise stated, you can get a little $$ for the 28's if there good.

As a nother thought on housings... Yes yopu can get a late model 9" full width housing, have it cut, but at what cost?

OR

Call Currie (http://www.currieenterprise.com/)
and get a brand new heavy duty housing for about $310
Not just pennys, but figer buy in for used housing, time spent cleaning, having it cut down, and still ending up with a used piece....is it straight? how hard has it been used? was it under a 1/2 ton truck, consistantly loaded with 2 tons? `

Just another option for ya.

NOTE: No I do not work for them, but I currently have two of there HP9 setups under a Outback Challenge CJ7 (http://www.northern4x4.com/events/OBC/OBC.htm) in my garage.

and have seen one of there super HD housings under a EB in use for two seasons. No problems and he loads that EB like a Pack Horse

As long as we're discussing 9" 3rd members, do high pinion/reverse rotation gearsets/3rd members bolt in to a standard housing, or does the housing need mods too?


And I too agree with "Nobody" on the common failure mode for the 9", that cracking where he was talking about. BTDT...