Went and done a search on Dana 44's and they seem to be fairly strong, BUT my engine is .040 over 292 with Mummert street port G heads Dove roller rockers zero decked block 264 cam Blue Thunder manifold and toploader 4spd tranny, and 57 recurved dizzy and Pertronixs.

  My worry is the rear u-joint set-up with the caps bolted to the yolk. When I had Driveline Specialists make my new driveline, they told me I should try to replace the yolk with a heavier duty set-up, but I said I was gonna leave it pretty stock under the hood,,,,,, WRONG!! Now I am asking you guys if this is the weak link in my set-up. Should I find a yolk that will fit a Dana 44 with a heavier duty rating?  I just learned tonight by browsing the search that a 65-66 Mustang rear will drop right in, so decisions, decisions.

                    Thanks,  Bud in Arizona 

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

Bud:

It will depend on your intended use of the car.  If you are going to put slicks on it and run it every week at the drags, then a stronger yoke would be probably wise.  If you are using street tires and using the car for cruising, then the u-joint should hold up.  I would assume that a yoke from a '56 Dana would bolt onto the '55 pinion.  Wagons, sedan deliveries, Mercurys, and police cars also used Danas, so you are not restricted to T-Birds for a donor.  You might also look into chevy S10 yokes, I have heard they use Dana 44s, at least in the 4wd models.  Might fit the '55 pinion.

The majority of V8 early mustangs used the 8" rear, which is probably no stronger than the Dana, but they do have the larger u-joint.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks for the response John, use it for cruising, and and run it through the gears to hear the tires chirp in each gear, but don't ever burn out from a stop. Seems to take a few years off your age when you can hear the tires chirping and still be able to throw some good power shifts!

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

The 65/66 Mustang rear is a bolt in, but to keep the stock height you will need lowering blocks. Look at the stock rear and you will see what I mean as Ford had a built in lowering block.



57-59 Ford rears (9inch) will also bolt in. Same deal on the lowering blocks

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I ALSO HAVE A DANA 44 IN MY 55 BIRD AND I INSTALLED A POSI IN IT- IF YOU ARE INTRESTED IN THIS-E-MAIL ME----------morgus@accesstoledo.com ----or call---eddie---419-476-4437---and i will tell you whatis to be done to do this--bye-