Guess what I ran at my first drag strip run? UPDATE

[74BlueFish]

Guess what I ran at my first drag strip run?

6 inches.

I think I striped all the teeth in the 8 3/4 rear end.  Had to get a tow home.

I had the rev limiter set to 2500 rpm,  on the street it will launch and spin the tires.

On the strip the tires didn't spin or move.  NO 

If I buy a racing set of gears, should it be OK? I have 3.55 ratio.

I read hear the 8 3/4 is usually strong enough.   I only went to the strip to race my son and bring the grand kids to watch

Don't plan on racing it, just the strip a few time to see what it would run.

Its a 505 build for torque, dyno 500 at the rear wheels.  It has a street twin clutch mated to a Viper 6 speed and Denny's nitorous ready drive shaft so the rear was the weak link.

Do you think a new gear set will be OK or go for a Dana 60?

I still have to pull it apart to see where it broke, maybe it wasn't put together correctly and teeth were not aligned properly?

Dan

[4Cruizn]

I vote for a dana . . 

[jimynick]

I vote for a dana . . 

With 500+hp at the rear wheels? Me, too! Especially with sticky tires and a sticky track, even on a now and then basis! 

[74BlueFish]

Yea  it's 500 at the rear wheels,  but street tires 285/40/17 I thought it would be OK. and no burnout.
I could hear the guys shoes making sticky noises as they pushed me backwards off the track.

[70chall440]

Ok, I will be the one out here and say a properly built 8 3/4 will take that power.

[74BlueFish]

That's what I've read.   I'll open it up this week and see what broke.  Maybe it was not engaging teeth properly.  Would be nicer to spend $500 than $2500
 

['Cuda Hunter]

Congrats though !!!

 You got your kids and grand kids out to a race track!  That makes it all worth it! 

They will have those memories of you breaking your stuff for the rest of their lives.  And repeat that with their families!!
Sounds like it was a great time.  Regardless of the small issues! 

I'd normally agree with the 8 3/4 but with the cash you have wrapped up in everything in front of that rear end I say throw a dana in. 

[74BlueFish]

HA HA    you are so right.   Got the video of my 3 and 7 year old grand kids cheering me on. 

[74BlueFish]

The local craigslist has a Dana 60, with 3.54 gears out of a van near me.

Is that something that may fit?

If the wheel to wheel width is the same as an e body, could I use that with maybe new spring perches?

[jimynick]

There was a thread on here ages ago about modifying truck Danas and if you can find it, it may give better advice than I. However, if the width was the same and you were willing to add perches as req'd- then why not? Mopar herself, decided that Hemi and 6bbl cars needed a Dana and you can second guess their engineers if you wish. Just my 

[70chall440]

I think if I was going this route I would look at the Strange S60 and get something that is new, with the gear set I wanted. Could get it slightly short to put more tire under the car.

[74BlueFish]

UPDATE
Took an 1.5 hours to get the pumpkin out. Slid the axles out about 6 inches, after removing the disc brakes, disconnected the driveshaft, and broke it loose to drain the oil.
Pulled the pumpkin out and all the gears looked good.  I was sure it was the gears!  Then I found this strange piece still in diff after about 5 minutes.





Well, I just need new axles right now,  Not going to upgrade the rear end now at this time.





If I would have pulled the axles out all the way, would have seen that real easy!

Thanks for every ones advice.

Dan

[jimynick]

Wow! The old time racers used to paint a straight line on their axles shafts so that they could tell if they were twisting or not, but I don't know if that would've helped here. May I suggest some aftermarket axles with more strength than the nearly 50 year old ones? Either way, that beats flushing out the ring and pinion in pieces, eh?! 

[70chall440]

hmmm guess that 8 3/4 isn't all that bad...  But for what its worth, Dana axles are stronger as well and the overall unit. Now the decision point, spend money on new stronger axles or replace the rear end... I think if it were me, I'd go with new axles but I am sure others will disagree.

[74BlueFish]

Since the unit didn't break, I'm going with new axles.  Dr Diff has stock axles, I saw strange has some stronger axle (A3100) than stock for $150 more.

Have to see if there are any other stronger axle options.