I took the front differential out of my '79 F-150 to put seals in. I found that one of the bearings on the differential was pitted. I am putting in both bearings and races and would like to know if anyone has any information on the setup of the diff, backlash, torque specs, any info would be appreciated.

 

You should have measured the back lash prior to removal. Setting used gears as if they where new may not always work meaning the gears may whine. Don't get me wrong it can be done and I have done a few it's just a good practice to set it back to what it was at and since you do not know this i would set it a little on the high side and not on the tight side. The wear pattern will tell you everything you need to know abou tthe gear settings. I don't have a site for the torque specs but search for the wear patterns.

 

Dana 44
Ring Gear Diameter=8.500"
Pinion shaft Diameter=1.376"
Ring Gear Bolt Count=10
Pinion Spline=26
Cover Bolt Count=10
Carrier:

3.73 & Numerically Lower
3.92 & Numerically Higher
Pinion Preload (LB Inch)........................................14 TO 19
Back lash.............................................. ...............0.006" TO 0.010"
In (LB-FT)

Bearing caps bolts…………………………………...................60
Ring gear bolts……………………………………......................60
Differential cover bolts……………………………..................20
Knuckle to spindle nuts………………………….................…65
Lower ball joint (first torque)……………………................30
Upper ball joint……………………………………......................100
Lower ball joint (second torque,
after upper ball joint is torqued)………………............……70
Ring to end upper ball joint……………………….................50
Steering arm to knuckle nuts…………………….............….90
Lug Nuts…………………………………………...........................120
Front wheel bearing torque procedure

Torque to 50 LB while spinning hub
Back off, then torque to 35 LB for automatic, or 50 LB for manual hubs
Back off 3/8’s of a turn for automatic hubs, or just enough to free the bearings (1 LB) for manual hubs
torque front wheel-bearing outer lock nut to 160 LB

 

Then there is this...
http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbuild/5079/

 

as long as you use the same shims that came out of it the backlash should be the same. Ive had good luck with new bearings and races being dimensionally the same as the old ones - they dont seem to vary even .001 so I dont worry about it. Measure it yes, and keep it within spec, but using the same shims (or new shims of the same total thickness if the old ones got buggered up when removing the bearings) should be fiine.