Hot Rods Big Daddy's 55 2 door wagon gasser

Were you running a ring gear spacer?

 

I thought that the 55 rear end had the small, weak axle and bearing setup? I can't afford the 9" even though I'd like to have one. And a 60" 12 bolt is more than a 9" around here!

 

See what a factory 3.70 posi is worth... you will be amazed.

 

I remember going to the street races back in the day , One of the first things we did was peek under the back of the contenders to see who had the **** to back up the talk.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't the Tri-Five axles have "C" clips? I'm with lumpy63 on the 8.8. Not only the visual but even the tamest of BBC's produce some pretty good torque.

 

no...

 

If you have the 8.8 coming go with it. You aren’t planning on wide sticky slicks on it are you? I was planning on using tire traction or rather the lack of it as a safety measure for my rear end and ******. But as sometimes happens the engine has outgrown the rear end and possibly the trans too. I do like the selections you’re making and am watching for ideas I might have missed. I’m curious to see how it drives out once you’re done with it. Just can’t imagine a long road trip with the straight axle.

 

Ward Bond did an eight-year road trip with straight axles on all his wagons, uphill both ways, in the snow

 

Thanks for the correction. Made me look it up. They have a 4 bolt bearing retainer plate.

 

The OD of the bearing is smaller. Same axel bearing surface for all. Also, since it has a posi unit it will have tapered carrier bearings instead of barrel shaped bearings. At least look at the casting number to see if it’s a later drop out than 55.

 

It would have to be Johnny as there was no posi in 55.

 

Didn’t mean it to sound like it’s a 55 posi. Rather it no longer has the stock 55 drop out it came with any longer.

 

My 8.8 with a cleaned up Explorer IRS cover on it.

Gary

 

My last one road and drove better than the 57 that I had prior. All in your setup. The El Camino rode like a Cadillac. Caster was set at 7⁰.

 

I'll check the rear out when I get it to my shop. I already bought Ford pattern slots for the rear.

 

You know my thoughts!

 

<<<<<<<<<<I might know someone who would be interested in that posi unit.
And he might be coming your way in Sept. with cash!!!!!

 

Yes I was. It also twisted aftermarket axles. Kind of a ticking time bomb.

 

@CycleTech spoke up first, but I am also interested in that posi.

 

Unless the rib was ground out of the inside of the case for clearance of the posi unit, I'd lay money that it's a later center.

 

Revisionist history.

 

I know of a guy with a 8.8 in his Pontiac that runs 10's while lifting the front wheels off the ground.

Yeah, maybe not as "cool" but they will certainly work.

 

I'm sure the rear end has been changed. It has a different set of leaf springs under it. I forget what he told me they came out of.

 

Could be, curious to see once I get it out of there. I've got a lot of floor work to do, I know that for sure.

 

No, you leave it in there if it’s a 9.3 Olds/Pont.

 

When I get the car out of the weeds lol. If it's a 9.3 I'll buy a different set of rear wheels

 

Just get the axles redrilled. They could probably use some new studs anyway.