mark vii rear end
- Thread starter Htrlman1
- Start date
I have an '88 LSC, was curious to know and tried to find out.
The shop manual has a couple ways to ID the rear end.
First there's a axle ID tag.
The ratio might be 3.08. But if it says 3L08, the "L" means it's got "Traction-Lok" .. a posi with 2 sets of clutches.
Same goes for the other gear ratios. (probably only available with the 2.73, 3:08 and 3.45, see chart below.)
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The other way is the driver door sticker.
Along the bottom in the "AX" box, the ratio and type are coded.
I'll type this little chart out exactly as i see it, 'cause I may not actually understand it.
CODE CONVENTIONAL | RATIO
------------------------------------
8 (M*)................................ 2.73:1
G ......................................2.26:1
Y (Z*) ...............................3.08:1
F (R*) ................................3.45:1
B .......................................2.47:1
* TRACTION-LOK
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So, I guess if it shows an M, Z, or R, the (stock) rear end was a posi... and none were available in the other ratios.
My car's door sticker has an E, so... what's up with that? I'll ask my cousin Vinny's fiancée. She knows everything.
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Edit ... Now I just gotta know.. and I get under and look at the axle tag and it says:
L 2 7 N 88 (8.8 ring) and then the date 7 H 31 (Y/M/D) meaning Aug. 31, 1987.
The L 2 7 N is a mystery. I guess the L is Traction-Lok, and the 27 is 2.73? And the N is ... i dunno.
The shop manual has a couple ways to ID the rear end.
First there's a axle ID tag.
The ratio might be 3.08. But if it says 3L08, the "L" means it's got "Traction-Lok" .. a posi with 2 sets of clutches.
Same goes for the other gear ratios. (probably only available with the 2.73, 3:08 and 3.45, see chart below.)
---------
The other way is the driver door sticker.
Along the bottom in the "AX" box, the ratio and type are coded.
I'll type this little chart out exactly as i see it, 'cause I may not actually understand it.
CODE CONVENTIONAL | RATIO
------------------------------------
8 (M*)................................ 2.73:1
G ......................................2.26:1
Y (Z*) ...............................3.08:1
F (R*) ................................3.45:1
B .......................................2.47:1
* TRACTION-LOK
--------
So, I guess if it shows an M, Z, or R, the (stock) rear end was a posi... and none were available in the other ratios.
My car's door sticker has an E, so... what's up with that? I'll ask my cousin Vinny's fiancée. She knows everything.
=======
Edit ... Now I just gotta know.. and I get under and look at the axle tag and it says:
L 2 7 N 88 (8.8 ring) and then the date 7 H 31 (Y/M/D) meaning Aug. 31, 1987.
The L 2 7 N is a mystery. I guess the L is Traction-Lok, and the 27 is 2.73? And the N is ... i dunno.
JoshMcMadMac
Dedicated LVC Member
Some did, some did not. You have an '84 right? I believe the 7.5" rear that you have was open, but the axle code will tell you.
JoshMcMadMac
Dedicated LVC Member
The Mark VII did not have the 3.45. It was 2.73, 3.08, or 3.23 with the trac-lok as an option. The diesel did have a 3.73, but that is the exception to the rule.
That's good to know..
That page of the manual starts off the whole rear end section, and the info posted covers Town Car, Grand Marquis.. Crown Vic, Mark VII and t-bird cougar mustang...
So, it takes more than the manual to know for sure, as I am beginning to discover. I can't decipher the code on my axle tag.
JoshMcMadMac
Dedicated LVC Member
Unless the rear has been swapped, you have a 7.5". That Mustang unit is 8.8". For the engine you are running, you will probably want to make the switch anyway.
I payed $100 for it, lol. And the mustang had these little struts that mounted to the frame. So I'm just going to weld them to the body for better handling. I didn't know that I had a 7.5? Huh. I always thought it had the 8.8. Anyways all the measurements were the same for it to fit. I think my gearing in the 7.5 is 3.05. Well the 8.8 that I bought is a 3.73 ratio. It's much better considering I used to be able to shift into 4th at 4500 rpm at 120 mph on a safe four lane road of course. The pumpkin is much bigger tho.
If they'll let you do cuts in the wrecking yard, maybe cut the strut attachment sections from that Mustang body, and weld them onto your car... but i got no idea if it's worth the trouble.
$100 seems cheap. I bet both sides are happy about that deal.
$100 seems cheap. I bet both sides are happy about that deal.
mark007
Active LVC Member
its good that you got an 8.8, but youll want mark vii specific axles. theyre alil longer than the sn95 axles. depending on your plans and goals for this car this route may be in youre best interest. especially if you wanna put some meat back there. also if this is an 84, whats you plans on the braking setup? i have not been under an 84, but is it the same up to 90? i know the 91-92 are some what different. just curious if that early of a model would be the same uo to 90.
mark007
Active LVC Member
cool deal. hope to see you at cars and coffee one day.
I was still wondering why my door sticker axle code is E and searched for some clues and came up with one.
comments from a youtube video. " Mando's 1989 Lincoln LSC Mark 7 "
@goodride2004 From the factory all LSC models came with 3:27.1 and an open differential. Bill Blass models and other models came with 3:08.1 and open differentials. Any model could be ordered with the limited slip but it was a pay for extra and not standard.
@goodride2004 They came with 3:27.1 gears and an open differential. The limited slip was a pay for add on option and not standard. The way you can tell is look at the door sticker and axle code. E is limited slip and 5 is open.
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So, what I gather is if a customer ordered the limited slip differential option with a new LSC, the door sticker AX code would be stamped "E".
But what about the 3:27 ratio.... ?
Here's my axle tag:
L 2 7 N 8 8 (8.8 ring) and then the date 7 H 31 (Y/M/D) meaning Aug. 31, 1987.
There's a bolt holding the tag's end, and then the tag numbers begin. The first letter I can make out is the L
Recall that "The ratio might be 3.08. But if it says 3L08, the "L" means it's got "Traction-Lok""
So, now I'm thinking there's a number 3 under the bolt head and I can't see it... So the "L27 is actually 3L27 .. or, 3.27:1 with the posi.
================
EDIT.. I have this PDF file from thelincolnmarkviiclub.org .. " [PDF] 1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC Model Specifications . I think Oldschool turned me on to it a few years ago.
page 2
transmission - four speed automatic with overdrive gears
1st - 2.40:1
2nd - 1.47:1
3rd - 1.00:1
4th - 0.67:1
reverse - 2.00:1
transaxle - 3.27:1
and under optional equipment..
Traction-Lok Differential - $101.00
comments from a youtube video. " Mando's 1989 Lincoln LSC Mark 7 "
@goodride2004 From the factory all LSC models came with 3:27.1 and an open differential. Bill Blass models and other models came with 3:08.1 and open differentials. Any model could be ordered with the limited slip but it was a pay for extra and not standard.
@goodride2004 They came with 3:27.1 gears and an open differential. The limited slip was a pay for add on option and not standard. The way you can tell is look at the door sticker and axle code. E is limited slip and 5 is open.
--------
So, what I gather is if a customer ordered the limited slip differential option with a new LSC, the door sticker AX code would be stamped "E".
But what about the 3:27 ratio.... ?
Here's my axle tag:
L 2 7 N 8 8 (8.8 ring) and then the date 7 H 31 (Y/M/D) meaning Aug. 31, 1987.
There's a bolt holding the tag's end, and then the tag numbers begin. The first letter I can make out is the L
Recall that "The ratio might be 3.08. But if it says 3L08, the "L" means it's got "Traction-Lok""
So, now I'm thinking there's a number 3 under the bolt head and I can't see it... So the "L27 is actually 3L27 .. or, 3.27:1 with the posi.
================
EDIT.. I have this PDF file from thelincolnmarkviiclub.org .. " [PDF] 1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC Model Specifications . I think Oldschool turned me on to it a few years ago.
page 2
transmission - four speed automatic with overdrive gears
1st - 2.40:1
2nd - 1.47:1
3rd - 1.00:1
4th - 0.67:1
reverse - 2.00:1
transaxle - 3.27:1
and under optional equipment..
Traction-Lok Differential - $101.00
mark007
Active LVC Member
http://coffeeandcarshouston.com/
link provided to let you know its the first weekend of every month unless moved. all sorts of italian, german, and domestic ladies. summertime brings out the rarest vehicles. but the winter and spring shows are good also. check it when you have a chance, youll be impressed.
mark007
Active LVC Member
from my limited knowledge. all 87-92 LSC models came 3:27's, and BB models were 3:08's.
Yeah.. There seems to be plenty of confirmation about that point.
I almost got the whole code figured out. Only one thing is missing.
3 L 2 7 N 8 8 ... 7 H 3 1
That letter N before the ring size..
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I thought it might be a word that somehow describes the ring gear but not a lot of words fit.
Wikipedia et al say the ring is also known as the crown wheel..
N.. N.. non-hypoid..?
Maybe the N is code for the number of splines, or something else in the box..?
http://coffeeandcarshouston.com/
link provided to let you know its the first weekend of every month unless moved. all sorts of italian, german, and domestic ladies. summertime brings out the rarest vehicles. but the winter and spring shows are good also. check it when you have a chance, youll be impressed.
Ok, wow that's right down the street I'll be there when the car is finished.