Any pictures or history behind Olds rearaxles in Hot-Rods 32 coupes. People tell me go Ford 9" and say no parts to Olds but I found a company, they has it all plus cores.
Probably won't help, but under the back of my T-Bucket, using original Olds arms. Added coil spring & shock mounts along with a panhard rod prior to my purchase. EDIT: Will mention the rear bolts holding the arms to the axle thru the rubber bushings are LEFT hand thread. That took a bit of figuring!
Old/Pontiacs have a better pinion angle and actually use less hp. For the most part they are harder to find parts but with a rear that has front discs 50,000 miles is pretty easy to get out of rear brakes. Drag ring and pinions are available as are disc conversions. Higher ratios need to be searched but can be found..2.56’s are pretty rare. I bought them when they were $25 a pumpkin and have cars with one.
4.10 RING & PINION - Fabcraft Metalworks This shop sell 3.42 to 4.88. I guess the std cars/axles was most automatic and mid 2.50's or something. With a core its around 2.5K with axles etc.
A year or two older than a 32 but here's a '59 Pontiac narrowed to fit under a Model A. I narrowed it close to the dimensions of a Bronco 9". There are parts available but they're more expensive. However, you could put Ford big bearing ends on the housings and run Ford backing plates and brakes and that would save money in the future. A 9.3" posi and r&p might cost more compared to cheaper 9" items but there are PLENTY of expensive 9" parts, as well.
Too big, don't you know bigger is better! The rearend in my roadster is a Ford nine inch out of a 57 F100 pickup, nearly the same size as Olds/Pontiac. You mentioned using a mid 50's Olds/Pontiac rearend, the one you want is a 57-64.
I have a '64 9.3 and it a larger version of the 9" looking from the outside rear. I guess you can see the lower section of it with the tank installed in a '32. That's why what rear in an A is important, you can see it all. Fabcraft is the only game in town for 9.3 rears.
not a '32 but I have a 9.3 with 3.42 posi in my roadster. they are big, heavy and wide but no other rear says serious like seeing one under a car
If I use a Olds its Olds parts, there is parts now outhere. I will look at a 56 soon. I told the guy is it totally rond ( like a football ) and no bulges etc on end, he would look ( he is in US now ) So the + 57 is the way, not 56.
This should help. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pontiac-olds-rearend-tech-post-it-here.129676/
This a friend of mine has a real deal built in the late 50s early 60s 32 five window Olds rear, shorted stock Olds arms
Are there posi units available for early Olds rear assemblies. The one I have has left hand threaded wheel studs on the left axel. Stout for certain. So far no success sourcing such parts. I think it is 50 model.
Interesting but don’t know why anyone would do it. There is nothing wrong with a Ford housing especially in the aftermarket world. I guess if you want the “look” or are restoring a nostalgic gasser it’s a good thing. Thanks for sharing!
Looks like what’s on the 36 Five window project sitting on my four post lift. Somehow I thought mine decoded to a Pontiac, but thos control arms sure look familiar. Mine’s been adapted to a buggy spring and disc brakes but no parking brakes. It’s patiently waiting its turn.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought this 50's Olds was totally round back, as seen in dragsters way back. Now I seen several designs but never really a totally round ( on the ball side )
Some 15/20 years back I had Currie make me 9 inch rear. Came with axles and brakes. The housing is round, no indent, etc, for the 3rd member. Unsure if any Fords came that way. Or they had their own thing going.
@3w Hank Probably a misunderstanding on which years. Mine was ID'ed as a 49-51 and is not round. I think the later years are more commonly used for hot rodding and might be completely round. Didn't find an easy spotter's guide, but this 20 year long thread might help you. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pontiac-olds-rearend-tech-post-it-here.129676/
The HAMB thread in the link below is huge, it should answer any/all questions you might have. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pontiac-olds-rearend-tech-post-it-here.129676/
I have Used a Polish aluminum cover on a 9 inch , mad few tabs welded to 9 Bolted cover on , added dummy bolts in other holes , 54 1/2 to 55 drum to drum for As 32's With fender's
My comment was referring to adapting a Ford nine inch center section to a 9.3 Olds/Pontiac housing as I had never heard of such a thing. I couldn't read that article, what would be the mechanical gain?
In that long thread at page 10, F&J said he had a Cad Lasalle that he thought had a Olds rearend and he had one simular 55/56 Olds in his garage that he showed picture on. Se picture. This is a ball and round, but the rest I has seen had some kind of intrude etc. -The one in Sweden I will look at soon is a Olds 1956 according to seller.
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