Took apart my ford 9 and solvent washed it. The ring gear seems to have a small amount of rust that has taken away minuscule chunks of the gear teeth. When I run my finger over it I can tell that the metal is bumpy and no longer smooth. Pinion gear has no rust. Can someone tell me if this is will have an effect on anything? If so, is it bad enough that I will need to buy new. I plan to use the truck as a daily driver, but would really prefer not to buy a new set of gears.

 

It doesn't look bad enough to cause me concern. And I'm a worrier. And the wear pattern looks good, and all the machined edges still look crisp.

 

Was it a howler? Could be a future howler..... In a pickup, you may not notice it.

 

I don’t know. The guy I bought it from had it sitting and it wasn’t in driving condition so I never drove it.

 

it's going to eat on the pinion over time. you have it apart anyway now is the time for a new gear set.

 

Those are pits not high spots, polish it good, set the ring and pinion with the proper back lash, use a good grade gear oil, should last a long time.

 

Slather that puppy in gear oil and send it. It will wear just fine. Put some zinc in the rear, about a table spoon, and don't even worry about it.

 

The spots around the pits are high points now.

If the gear set was in I'd say run it you'll probably get quite a ways on it. but since it's out and you have to set it all up again anyway it would be pretty dumb.

I guess it depends on if it's a junker or something you want right is how I'd play it. gear sets aren't that expensive.

 

I suspect that you can get a lot of use from the old gear set. But since you've got it out, if you'd prefer a different ratio, this would be the time to do something about it.

 

I would just run it. If it feels better to do so, wire brush and kerosene it first. It was dry at some point and lay in water.

 

Looks like what you find in vehicles that have been through a flood. Other parts need to be carefully inspected as well. Who knows what the high water mark was.

 

The previous owners used it as a mud truck in FL so I would assume they took it through water

 

Gotcha Then a close inspection of wheel bearings and u-joints would be in order.

 

And check the axle vent tubes for being gone, or there and just weather cracked. Also make sure they are not plugged up.