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Scott, I've been told by a very experienced drive train shop the inside gasket between the axle flange and the backing plate is a must. The owner of the shop strongly recommends Permatex #2 on both sides of this gasket.
    He said the outer gasket is not as important and that many don't install this one.
      I installed both inner and outer. I figure if Ford installed both, I should also.
Jeff

To close out this thread, Autozone came through with the gaskets. You will need to ask them to order Mahle brand gasket part #J26568. The Inner Diameter is 2 7/8". These are a little less than $3.00 each and no shipping. (Many parts houses now have a minimum order and shipping is often more than the parts.)
      I also saw these Mahle gaskets listed at Carid.com and autohausaz.com. And I believe Virginia Mustang stocks this size gasket also but confirm the Inner Diameter when ordering.

Charles, the old gaskets that I had in storage were sold by NAPA but were made by Victor Reinz. But searching the Victor Reinz website, I am confident that they do not make this gasket any longer. However, doing a search using the NAPA/Victor Reinz part number of J 26568, I discovered that this gasket is now manufactured by Mahle with the same part number J 26568. The local Autozone is able to order these and I can pick up Monday morning. I will report back if these are the correct size and part.

Dave, I try and order everything I can from Virginia Mustang so thank you for the tip. I do wish they listed the Inner Diameter of these gaskets on their website. If Autozone comes through, Brant doesn't need to mess with a $6 order and I won't have to wait a week for the gaskets to get delivered. But great to know this is a source and thanks for confirming they are for the small bearing axle.
Jeff

Hi Dave, yes the 55001 is easy to find. The 55001 is the gasket in my picture that has the semi-circle notch in the lower part of the gasket.
      The second gasket with no notch is the one I am having trouble finding. It seems Fel-Pro does not make this gasket. At least I can't find it.

[This is the backing plate to retainer gasket with a 2-7/8" I.D. center hole, for small-bearing 8" or 9" rear. Requires 2.]

After more searching today, I believe I have found the correct gaskets offered by Autokrafters:

https://autokrafters.com/backing-plate-to-retainer-gasket-65-70-ford-mustang-63-70-falcon-63-68-comet-more-small-bearing-8a-or-9a-rear-ak1016/?searchid=0

From their part description:
This is the backing plate to retainer gasket with a 2-7/8" I.D. center hole, for small-bearing 8" or 9" rear. Requires 2.

My project continues removing the Lincoln Versailles disc brakes and converting back to the 10 X 2 1/2" drums. I have searched and searched for the correct size axle gaskets and come up empty. I am almost certain the inside diameter of the gasket for our early '66 GT350 should be 2 7/8". I had a gasket that I bought a LONG time ago in storage with a NAPA part number J 26568 that was perfect. My old school NAPA parts guy Troy could not find that gasket but cross referenced to a Fel-Pro gasket part number 4828. The bolt holes line up on the newer 4828 but as you can see in the picture, the inside diameter is larger. I measure 3 1/8" ID on the newer blue gasket.
      Does anyone have a source and part number for a gasket with a 2 7/8" Inside Diameter? Will this new 4828 gasket seal just fine even with the larger ID?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.
Jeff

Brant, would you please post the size of the 15" Michelin XWX you are running on your '65? Are the Michelins widely available like from Costco, Discount Tire etc? Or are these specialty tires also and only available from say Coker?  Thanks for the information.
Jeff

Roy, I didn't notice the machining done on the stud in the last picture. Thank you for pointing that out.

I ask because I ordered new 10 X 2 1/2" brake drums and they are giving me fits locking up when I mount the tires. I finally figured out the five holes in the face of the drum are not large enough to clear the thick shoulder. So when the tires are mounted, the drum is off-kilter. It sounds like I need to pull the axles and install the stock studs or get the five holes in the drums machined a bit larger. Thanks for the replies.
     

Would these axle studs be what was originally installed on a very early (Carryover) 1966 GT350? Notice the thicker shoulder of the stud near the axle face.

I am sad to hear this news. Joe restored/rebuilt the 2x 4s on our GT500. Not only did he do a great job on the carbs but helped with a lot of the extras that went with the carb like mounting nuts, etc.  And he was a great source for trouble-shooting. We lost a lot of carb knowledge with Joe's passing. Blessings on Joe and his family and friends.

For anyone interested in learning more about the 252 cars considered Carryover cars, there is an excellent website:
https://carryovergt350.com/

On this website, you will find a link listing the unique features of the Carryovers along with many pictures. This is super helpful for anyone considering the purchase of a Carryover:
https://carryovergt350.com/index.php/unique-features/

A hidden gem is the "Gallery" with many pictures of many Carryovers along with close-ups of specific parts, literature etc.

While many have contributed stories and knowledge to the website, a special shout out to Steve Sloan who has spent hours and hours researching, gathering information and writing about these unique Shelbys.

Thanks Bob.

Is there an official torque value for tightening the lug nuts on the Cragar wheels?

The roofline of the Starliner is really cool. I've never seen one in person. And black over red is always a great looking combination. Good for both of these owners to keep the multi—carb set—ups in tune, 3x2s and 2x4s!
Thanks for posting.