Installing 8.8" LSD in first gen LS pumpkin

Justin00LS

Justin00LS

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I have ordered a new rear-end (with 3.58 gears) for the LS and plan on putting a LSD in while I've got everything off the car. I've read nearly every post about differentials and gear swaps on this forum and it has really helped with clearing up information about the 8.0 rear-end. I'll probably end up with a 8.8" 28 spline LSD like the following:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

When swapping in the LSD, do I need to worry about shimming? What exactly am I supposed to be shimming? I have read that an 8.8" shim kit works for the 8.0 rear-end when rebuilding, so would I need to use this when only changing out for the LSD?
 
Yes. shimming it will allow for proper backlash. You MAY not need to reshim. Try using the stock ones, and measure backlash with your dial indicator. If it is between .008" and .012", you are in the clear, and do not need to reshim. The variance in machined parts can be a couple thousandths, and throw it out of the proper backlash range when switching from the old to the new.

Justin00LS said:
What exactly am I supposed to be shimming?
Click to expand...

Since you asked this question:

What I would do is gather the parts, and bring it to a shop and have them set it up for you. Should only be about 75 bucks. Cheap peace of mind if you aren't familiar with setting up a rear end. You don't want to make any mistakes.
 
+1, without proper tools, and or experience, this is pretty complicated. totaly not a diy job.

I tried to setup my old chevy II once...it howled bad, had to take it to a shop to get set right.
 
pektel said:
Since you asked this question:

What I would do is gather the parts, and bring it to a shop and have them set it up for you. Should only be about 75 bucks. Cheap peace of mind if you aren't familiar with setting up a rear end. You don't want to make any mistakes.
Click to expand...

My dad will be tackling this with me, and he tinkers with cars as well and I'm sure he probably knows what to shim. He is the mechanical engineer and I am the electrical engr. How many watts go through the shim? 1-3j watts:D

I was talking with him and he said to "make sure you don't need to shim it after the LSD, or if you do, get the right shim kit". I'm assuming he knows what to shim in a typical rear-end, but I know he has not rebuilt the oddly sized 8.0 rear end in a LS or S type before. Just wondering if there is anything unique about shimming that he needs to look out for in the 8.0... We all know that this car has quite an extensive list of "unique" parts and tricks when working on it!
 
Nope, nothing special. But the 8.8" carrier shims will work on the 8.0" LS rear end. I bought them. They are identical.
 
Thanks for clarifying, Lou. I was only referring to swapping carriers.
 
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