"Is the rear hub torque of 80-90 a Ford spec,
or just a thought?"
That is an inflammatory statement. Perhaps you have not followed my postings much; that hot Texas sun can get to you. Bratton's torque table calls for 100 ft-lbs. I maintain you will eventually strip out the threads at that rating and I de-rate to 80-90 ft-lbs. If you want to go to 100, then go ahead.
Facts:
1. a tapered axle/hub needs to be darned tight to function properly. It should NOT be the key that is holding it all together, but rather the enormous surface area of the taper. That is why you should need a puller to get the hubs off.
2. Especially after a rebuild and everything has been apart, the hubs can loosen some as the car is driven. Do NOT assume because it was tight at first that it will stay tight. They need to be rechecked, and this is way easier to do than removing a tranny. You may want to re-consider my suggestion of checking the tightness.
I missed the part where you gave the spec that
you torqued
your hubs to.
"Growl seems to dissipate when accelerating, but comes back with a vengenace when decelerating."
yep. It is getting worse, too, isn't it?
check your hubs
If I am dead wrong you have lost nothing.
"January-February 2004 issue of The Restorer "
This is not available to all of us
Post back and let us know what ultimately fixes the problem