I have a complete (with brakes and all) '57 Chevrolet rear end with a 3.55 one-wheeler gear that I would like to use in my '39 Ford standard coupe hot rod build. The motor is a very healthy 276 inch '53 8BA flathead which will likely be run through a T5 or TKO 5-speed OD tranny and an open driveshaft. Are there any issues I need to be aware of with this setup? I know it is not a traditional setup, but is a four-link enough of a ride improvement to warrant the non-traditional look and expense vs. running parallel leafs? I read so many differing opinions that I really can't decide what's optimal here. Since it will be a full-fender stock bodied car, the one way you'd know it was on links is to crawl on the ground and look, but the whole reason I'm running the flatty motor is to keep it true to an early fifties approach... Please be kind!
That rear stood up to 315 HP 283's..... You making that much? I'd say use it. 3.08's are the highest. Personally I like parrellel leafs but I wouldn't give it a second thought.
My 40 Ford was hot rodded in the early 60’s and they put a 57 Chevy rear in it. It was even drag raced. They usually hold up fine until you “hook up”. Shouldn’t be a problem behind your flathead on the street.
Any issues with the width of the rearend and wheel size/backspace? Since Chevrolet axels are 5x4.75 pattern I'd like to run that and not have to change it, and my plan is to run steel smoothie wheels with dog dishes or spider caps. Probably 3" backspace since that's what's readily available.
A 57 is a better rearend than a 55-56.Stronger carrier.Bigger axle bearings.Drain plug on center section.Only problem I have seen is if you need a axle bearing the modern ones like to leak.The seals just aren't what they use to be.The tri 5 guys will look for NOS axle bearings,and use those because they are less likely to give trouble.
It was a great axle for swaps years ago . There are many more modern choices that I would consider . I ran a 57 rear in a 37 Chebbie coupe for years , it left fo a 66 Nova “ 12” from an L79 car . That left for the big dollars , it was replaced by a 9 in rear disc from a Granada . In today’s world the 8.8 rear disc is tuff to pass up on .
A good swap nowadays for 55-57 Chevys is an 8.8 rear from a V6 Ford "exploder" So it should also fit your Ford They're only 1/4" wider than the Chevy rear end at 60.25" [with Ford 4.5" PCD] Leaf spring Rear discs /with internal park brake. 4 spider posi 3.73 ratio 31 spline axle. Best of all, we got the whole setup for $70 from "U-pull" [including D/shaft, U bolts & park brake cables] You could cash up your 57 rear end for more than that.
55 - 57 rear ends are 60 inches. So no they are perfect width with 6 inch wheels with 3 backspace. That's what "everybody" ran back in the day. I agree about there are some newer better choices out there, with the price of 55-57 bearing, gears,drums etc. Later Bill
What do you "call" the '57 rear-end? For example. I know what a "9 inch" is, and I've always heard of GM 10-bolt or GM 12-bolt, but I don't know what the common reference terminology for this rearend is. I ask because if I run this one (being as how I already have it in-hand and I know it to be a good, working piece) I'd like to know what to look for if I need parts, etc.
It's just a '57 Chevy drop out center section rear end. It will live longer if you install main bearing cap straps (Moroso?). Buy some extra axles and throw them in the trunk with the tools it takes to replace them. If you have a real bad day the axle will break off clean inside the carrier or spider gear, that's always fun to deal with along side the road.................................
With so many modern alternatives available with so many advantages I'd be hard-pressed to choose the vintage Chevy rear axle, especially since it is not a positraction unit. Using it just because you've already got it is not a valid long-term decision-maker in my opinion.
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