[blykins]

Ernie..mine is definitely a 9". Actually I think a Ford 8" and a Ford 9" are made exactly the same...where the center section unbolts from the front. The only difference is the size of the ring gear. I think you're thinking of an 8.8" Ford, where the cover comes off the back, and you use C-clips to get the axles out.

The Shell Valley's come with 9" axle housings...I even custom assembled a new Strange center section for mine.

I think what Shell Valley has done, is that when they narrowed the housing to fit inside the wheel wells of the car, they've just made provisions to put the seals inside, and then use sealed bearings.