Cooling Differential covers, do they really matter?

[85_Ranger4x4]

Once upon a time there was a comical glitch is the universe. You could get cast aluminum MOTORCRAFT Shelby GT-500 differential covers online for like $60, Ford Performance ones were like $200. Same part, one was thru their replacement part system and one was thru their upgrade accessory system. So I snagged one. Diff cooling needed or not, Ford came up with this apperatus for the Shelbys.

I found a plug to plug the hole for the temp sensor and while I haven't yet I have the block off ports for the cooler lines for a drain plug and the top one to flush out the case if need be.

 

[Lefty]

Once upon a time there was a comical glitch is the universe. You could get cast aluminum MOTORCRAFT Shelby GT-500 differential covers online for like $60, Ford Performance ones were like $200. Same part, one was thru their replacement part system and one was thru their upgrade accessory system. So I snagged one. Diff cooling needed or not, Ford came up with this apperatus for the Shelbys.

I found a plug to plug the hole for the temp sensor and while I haven't yet I have the block off ports for the cooler lines for drain plug.

most interesting!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I cant see a rear end getting hot unless youre loaded super heavy and constantly on the go pedal.

The semis have rear end temp gauges....even on 100* days hauling 50k of milk at 70mph i think ive hit 180.

Even the manual trannys have cooling systems on them so i would think if there was a real benifit to a diff cover like that they would have them.

 

[bhgl]

Once upon a time there was a comical glitch is the universe. You could get cast aluminum MOTORCRAFT Shelby GT-500 differential covers online for like $60, Ford Performance ones were like $200. Same part, one was thru their replacement part system and one was thru their upgrade accessory system. So I snagged one. Diff cooling needed or not, Ford came up with this apperatus for the Shelbys.

I found a plug to plug the hole for the temp sensor and while I haven't yet I have the block off ports for the cooler lines for a drain plug and the top one to flush out the case if need be.

Ay that's the thing I was talking about!

Looks like it has an electric pump attached? I'm curious where you'd find power for it with the correct voltage all the way back there.

 

[bhgl]

I cant see a rear end getting hot unless youre loaded super heavy and constantly on the go pedal.

The semis have rear end temp gauges....even on 100* days hauling 50k of milk at 70mph i think ive hit 180.

Even the manual trannys have cooling systems on them so i would think if there was a real benifit to a diff cover like that they would have them.

I did just recently spend 2 hours at the trucks speed limit of 90 mph with around 600lbs of payload (not a lot I know, but more may be coming. I may actually try attaching a thermoprobe or otherwise a method of measuring temps after the next trip.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ay that's the thing I was talking about!

Looks like it has an electric pump attached? I'm curious where you'd find power for it with the correct voltage all the way back there.

There is a sensor that goes in the cover so I assume there is wiring back there for it.

I put a normal metric pipe plug into that port and just use it as a cover. I am throwing less than a third of the hp at it and was mainly tired of my steel cover seeping and having no ability to drain the diff after water crossings.

I also had to knock down some of the internal cooling fins because my old Explorer axle has a tone ring than the Shelby wouldn't have.

 

[bhgl]

There is a sensor that goes in the cover so I assume there is wiring back there for it.

I put a normal metric pipe plug into that port and just use it as a cover. I am throwing less than a third of the hp at it and was mainly tired of my steel cover seeping and having no ability to drain the diff after water crossings.

I also had to knock down some of the internal cooling fins because my old Explorer axle has a tone ring than the Shelby wouldn't have.

Well, if you still have all that jazz and I find myself heading across the border I may be interested in picking it up for the sake of science! Sweet deal you got there.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well, if you still have all that jazz and I find myself heading across the border I may be interested in picking it up for the sake of science! Sweet deal you got there.

I only bought the cover for $60, I have never even seen the rest of it in real life.

 

[bhgl]

I only bought the cover for $60, I have never even seen the rest of it in real life.

My mistake, I thought you had snagged the cover + the cooling doohickey for 60$. That'd be a deal!

 

[superj]

there is an 8.8 finned cover on marketplace right now for 60 bucks. i think it was a banks, too. i will have to search for it and hopefully remember to post it

 

[superj]

I was wrong. There is tons of diff covers but the two 8.8 ones i was mis-remebering are ford motorsport 8.8 ones like pictured above. 200 bucks which is a nogo

 

[pjtoledo]

I did just recently spend 2 hours at the trucks speed limit of 90 mph with around 600lbs of payload (not a lot I know, but more may be coming. I may actually try attaching a thermoprobe or otherwise a method of measuring temps after the next trip.

get an IR thermometer, like the ones that measured foreheads during CIVID.
they have automotive compatible models for hi temps.
can be used on exhaust ports to find a poorly performing cylinder and other stuff.

 

[superj]

they are not expensive and super easy to use because you don;t have to bend your wrist in all kind of directions to get measurements

 

[superj]

Motorsport clone finned cover is on. This is the one from amazon for like 50 or 60 bucks but its not plug and play. You have to grind an internal fin so the speedometer or abs tone ring doesn't get smashed into it when you bolt the cover down.

 

[Lefty]

Motorsport clone finned cover is on. This is the one from amazon for like 50 or 60 bucks but its not plug and play. You have to grind an internal fin so the speedometer or abs tone ring doesn't get smashed into it when you bolt the cover down.


View attachment 110581

Looking good, real good.