Technical Help to ID banjo rear end

Hello, new member. I have recently acquired a custom vehicle built in the 1950s as best as I can tell. It uses a narrowed banjo style third member that I would like to obtain new axle seals for. It has the general appearance of a MOPAR 8.75" rear end, but has no casting numbers where they would be expected. It could well be something from WWII surplus. Here are some more specs:

10 bolts in the carrier. 10 spline axle. Axle diameter where the bearing and seals ride is 1.325". Bearing OD is 2.880". Inner seal OD is 2.435". The ID of the axle retainer plate is 2.375". There is a thin outer plate also, I just realized I forgot to measure it.

I will upload some photos. Thanks, Dennis

 

clean off the seals real well, they probably have numbers on them.

 

That's the problem, there are no seals! Dennis

 

Not a banjo.Got a pic of the front?

 

Texas Webb, what makes you say not a banjo????

 

Is that a handbrake drum on the pinion? Looks as though that vertical stud was welded to casting. I've never seen a rear cover that looked like that, what bolt pattern are the axles, is there a LH wheel nuts/studs on LH axle? Just trying to narrow it down and identify.

 

One glance at the photo posted will tell you its NOT a "Banjo" rear end..

 

A banjo rearend has two side bells bolted to a center circular housing around the ring gear. Old Ford style. That ain't no banjo.

 

Sorry if I used the wrong term, but many a web site calls this style a banjo, as opposed to the type where the rear cover removes. To answer some questions: yes that is a brake on the driveshaft, obviously added. The vertical tube is also welded on, as are all the suspension members. The axle swings down from arms going forward about 2 feet long. I can't tell anything about the flanges or bolt patterns as that is all replaced.

I have found a list of some notes on parts and it says "Plymouth axle" but no other explanation, that is why I had been searching MOPAR sites. The builder was known to use WWII surplus parts on a build some years earlier. This rear cover does look similar to the 1/2 ton military trucks. I have been searching older car parts sites and also military truck parts. I think this may be a late 1940s Plymouth, there are lists of seals and bearing on a site by Andy Bernbaum with some dimensions, so I can eliminate the ones that aren't what I need. Have to see if any local parts stores have anything this week, or at least find a chart of dimensions. Dennis

 

That's a pretty beefy looking rearend. What kind of car is it? My first thought about Plymouth axle was a front tube axle??? How about some pics?

 

Dennis,include in your profile your location ie: city and state.Might be folks that can help and you meet new friends.

 

Texas Webb, we're both right, (these images are all from ''google images'' search)
I would call the old 30s Ford diff a ''split type'', whereas in google images, there are pics calling it a banjo.
To me a banjo is the same as a Ford 9'', or like the image the OP put up..

 

1956 and EARLIER Oldsmobile/Pontiac. I want to say it goes back to 1937 (???). Plenty strong for what you have; even used in fuelers way back when, along with the 1957-1964 Oldsmobile/Pontiac rear ends. Mickey Thompson made magnesium and aluminum third member cases for them. That's all I've got. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

If it makes you feel better .... Google also directed me an eighth mile away from my "nearest Fedex location". They were about a year and 2 months behind their former address change. Google is definitely not the end all. Dunno' where the Allen, Texas Fedex is .... and clearly dunno' what the heck a banjo rear is.

The Tardel book cover is a banjo rear publication. Find us another book that has "banjo" on the cover, that shows anything else.

 

Here is a drawing from the Bernbaum site, it appears to match the axle I have. I sent them all my dimensions, I'll see what they come up with. Dennis

 

Care to be more specific? Vagueness is never helpful.