Ford 8.8 Information

[aka Larry]

Hey guys, I need to add a catch can to my Mustang's 8.8" axle tube. Sure someone sells a kit for $130.00, but ummmm no! I think I will build my own.

All the kits seem to have the adapter pictured below, which screws directly into the place of the stock vent. In looking the adapter (the non-brass part) it has a o-ring above the threads. That leads me to believe the threaded hole in the axle tube is a straight machine thread (UNC or UNF) _NOT_ the a typical NPT.

The question is, does anyone know what is that thread size/pitch, and can I buy the pictured UNC-to-NPT or whatever adapter from somewhere like MMC?

 

[lisiecki1]

Definitely not NPT.

I'd start with MMC or a general google search for "threaded hardware" or something along those lines.

 

[plinker]

That looks like an SAE O-ring boss fitting. Should be a normal NC/NF thread pitch. probably run a search for a chart.

 

[bad_idea]

Find a local hose and pipe shop. Bring them the fitting out of your axle and they can match it up. I am in Va Bch, Va and I would go to Hampton Rubber in Norfolk, it is on Village Ave I think. Great shop for misc fittings like that.

The next question is, what is this catch can you speak of? I have an 02 Z28 I am in process of fitting an 8.8 into. I am curious about this catch can setup. Why do you need one?

 

[LXCam]

Man it's been awhile but I seem to remember it being a 9/16-18 which is identical to a JIC 6m(same as a O-ring AN) -6 fitting.

Back in 08-09 I helped the guy that brought the 8.8 conversion to the hemi world. I waited for months for my prototype unit and finally received it a couple days before wanting to leave for a race and GTG in Ohio. So after some final fitment issues solved it was done and running about 9pm the night before heading out 2/3rd across county. I installed the vent with your typical 18" of hose into a space I felt was safe. Well the next day I bailed early to pick up a dude in Flagstaff in the afternoon. I only stopped one time for fuel and it was a quick one so I never walked behind the ride. Anyhow I get into Flagstaff and go to open the back and every fn square inch of it was caked in gear oil.

I didn't think much about it at the time I installed the billet cover. But the ring gear lined up perfectly with the vent hole and literally acted like a pump. F! whatta mess. There wasn't **** I could do there so I ended up adding oil at every fuel stop. I sorta fixed it in Ohio, but it took an act of gawd to clean that **** off my paint. The rear window took months to finally feel clean, it almost felt like it etched into the glass.

HEY anyhow, good luck!

 

[jayz66ragtop]

The next question is, what is this catch can you speak of? I have an 02 Z28 I am in process of fitting an 8.8 into. I am curious about this catch can setup. Why do you need one?

Because in aggressive driving the oil boils and expands. It tends to spit out the vent tube and all over the back/underside of the car and whatever surface your driving on. No fun when it spits out and all over your tires even on the street and most race tracks frown on this and can ask you to fix it or leave. Easiest fix is to run a tube from the vent to some sort of catch can mounted under the vehicle or in the trunk upside down so the oil drains back into the housing once it cools down.

 

[LXCam]

Hey Larry that might also be a -4 O-ring size which would be the same as a JIC 4m fittting or in other terms, a 7/16 X 20 thread.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Doing a little reading online tells me it's 1/8" pipe thread.

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/productsRE.aspx?id=1579

Here's a quote from somebody talking about it in the same thread. . .

If you are using a 8.8 solid axle, the axle tube is threaded 1/8 NPT. You can use the NPT fitting and attach a length of 1/8" rubber hose, loop the hose a couple of times and attach the end of the hose to the chassis. The loops will keep out the dirt and still allow the axle to breathe. This will also keep the axle clean if you are into high G maneuvers or high speeds.

 

[csp]

Why not pull the stock vent and use that to determine what the thread is????

 

[aka Larry]

Hey Larry that might also be a -4 O-ring size which would be the same as a JIC 4m fittting or in other terms, a 7/16 X 20 thread.

I finally had a chance to pull the stock vent fitting last night and confirmed that it is indeed 7/16-20 thread.

Thanks guys!