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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: cjshaker on August 28, 2016, 09:44:50 PM

Title: New rear differential, how warm should they get?...
Post by: cjshaker on August 28, 2016, 09:44:50 PM
Disclaimer, I admit I've never really paid attention to how warm a rear differential gets after running for a bit, so I have no idea if this is normal or not.

I just put a new locker and 4.30 gears in a new Strange center section into my '69 Mustang. After taking it for a 20 mile spin, and only driving with restrained driving habits, the rear seemed to be really warm, actually hot, to me. It was hot enough that I couldn't lay my hand on the rear of the housing or the center case. I got my infra-red temp gun out and the temp on the case read 197*. The temp on the rear of the housing was reading 184*.

Does this seem abnormal to you guys? Maybe normal for a rear that's just seating in? When assembling it, I went by the specs that Strange gave me and, according to their break-in instructions, I only drove it with light acceleration and no burnouts etc. Like I said, I've never paid attention to rear temps before, but since I'm taking this on Drag Week in 2 weeks, I thought I'd check it closer than I normally would, to see if there were any problems. There was a light howl at steady cruise with no load, but it immediately disappears upon even the lightest acceleration or deceleration. It seemed to act normal otherwise. It's also fairly hot and muggy out at 86* with over 90% humidity.
Title: Re: New rear differential, how warm should they get?...
Post by: My427stang on August 29, 2016, 05:39:29 AM
They can get pretty warm when freshly set up, never shot one with a temp gun, but I'd say it's normal.

Should get cooler ever run
Title: Re: New rear differential, how warm should they get?...
Post by: cjshaker on August 29, 2016, 07:30:43 AM
Strange's break-in instructions say to run them for 50 miles at a time, for a total of 250 miles, letting it cool each time, so I'm inclined to believe you, Ross. I just never paid attention before to the temps they run at, so I suppose I'm just being a bit paranoid.
Title: Re: New rear differential, how warm should they get?...
Post by: AlanCasida on August 29, 2016, 07:41:20 AM
Strange's break-in instructions say to run them for 50 miles at a time, for a total of 250 miles, letting it cool each time, so I'm inclined to believe you, Ross. I just never paid attention before to the temps they run at, so I suppose I'm just being a bit paranoid.

DragWeek will do that to you for sure! I've already pulled the new gas tank that I welded a sump into back out of my car for fear that it might start leaking sometime during the week. " ::)
Title: Re: New rear differential, how warm should they get?...
Post by: wayne on August 29, 2016, 08:32:47 AM
It will be fine every time you drive it will get better they run hot when new.
Title: Re: New rear differential, how warm should they get?...
Post by: cjshaker on August 29, 2016, 09:00:25 AM
Thanks, Wayne. Makes me feel a little better.

And Alan, you got that right! Except for running out of gas one time right after I finished the car, when my fuel gauge didn't work, the car has never left me stranded. Until the ignition issue, that is. I have a spare for every part of the ignition, and I'm wondering if that's enough..lol