Center carrier differences

Hi,

I know the Lincoln Versailles rear axle is a popular swap with our cars as evidenced on the site (and elsewhere).

I have located a 1976 Mercury Grand Monarch Ghia that has disc brakes in the rear. I know it doesn't have a removeable center carrier like the Versailles. (I didn't know the Versailles did until I became a member of the site, due to not having any experience with those cars. I always thought (incorrectly) that since they were based on the Granada/Monarch they didn't have one either).

What size is that rear axle? Is that desirable? Is there a better way to go? Opinions, please.

Thanks. Craig.

 

That should be an 8 or 9 inch from the factory. If it has a rear bolt on cover then it has probably been swapped out some time in it's life.

 

Thanks for your reply.

It does have a rear bolt on cover.

I thought all Granadas/Monarchs had bolt on covers. I changed axles in one and had to remove the "C" clips? Maybe not.

Thanks, Craig.

 

Didnt the Granada line come with some oddball large diff with a cover on it?? Seems to ring a bell. I'm sure someone will chime in and let us know.

 

Entirely possible. This Grand Monarch has a 351W and I'm wondering if it was an option.

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com/1979-1982-...ial-covers/p2032069c3643d624y1979-1982j1.jcwx

 

The word "Grand" is bothering me here ... never heard of that. I am familiar with a Monarch Ghia... never heard "Grand" attached to the name.

Are you sure you don't mean Grand Marquis Ghia? ... not sure if Marquis came with a Ghia option, but might be a great explanation for the different rear end. Also, if it is, in fact, a Marquis, the axle should be far too wide in stock form.

 

The Grand Marquis was available with rear disc brakes on an 8-3/4 integral carrier(WER) rear axle, which was quite common in those cars. That same style diff also was used in the Granada/Monarch line, but are quite rare. It is not to be confused with modern 8.8 rear axle, which is totally different.

 

No sir. I mean GRAND MONARCH GHIA. It actually says Grand Monarch behind the front wheels on the fenders. The Ghia symbol is on the C-pillar. Based on the information I was able to obtain it ran for only two years (1975-76) and was the forerunner to the Lincoln Versailles which ran from 1977-80. I was wondering if I could use the rear axle out of it and what the specs were on it, but, I can't seem to find much info. It had four wheel disc brakes, etc. This particular car is equipped with the 351w but, it has not got a removeable carrier and I was wondering what size it was. Ford made a Granada GHIA also. Wikipedia has a definition of a Grand Monarch Ghia.


I had a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS that my mother now has. It is on Ford's Panther platform which dates to 1979 with new sheet metal in 1992. It also had (has) rear disc brakes but, from what I am able to learn, it has an 8.8 inch rear differential. I'd say it is quite similiar to the Crown Vic in my signature.

This one is a mystery. More research. Thanks for your reply, Craig.

 

What is the mystery? You have a 8-3/4" WER Monarch rear end.

Also, to answer your original question, no, it is not a desirable rear end.

 

I never knew that was used in the Granada/Monarch. I expected it to be the same as the Versailles. Since it isn't a desirable rear end, I'll look further. Thanks for your reply, Craig:Handshake

 

Cool! Learned something new today ...

http://www3.sympatico.ca/bkeevil/mercurymonarch/grandghia.html

 

That sure is a lot nicer that what wikipedia has! Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

Now I call my 9 inch disc rear a Versailles rear but the guy I bought it from ,many moons ago, told me it came out of a Ford Granada Ghia. I found a Mercury Monarch Ghia once in a junk yard, and I see talk of them here on the forum, but was there actually a Ford Granada Ghia?

When I located that Monarch Ghia in the junkyard, I got all excited looking under the back of the car, expecting to find another 9 inch, only to find a rear with a bolt on cover.

 

Same here! A good friend of mine in high school had a Ford Granada Ghia.