My 40 Coupe came with 60 HP engine and I understand that 4.44 rear ratio was standard equipment. After going with a SBC I would like to change the ratio to 3.54. Is this ring gear and pinion change very difficult? Who do you guys recommend to make this swap? Thanks!
You might want to check that rear end. If that is the original or, if it's not the original, the ring and pinion tooth count should be stamped on the bottom of the center section. 9 34 is 3.78 , 9 37 is 4.11 and I'm not sure but 4.44 might be 9 40. I'd recommend you do it if you can get a good matched set (ring & pinion) of 3.54 gears. I ***ume the sbc is adapted to the stock 3 speed trans and torque tube drive line. Or are you asking about swapping in a whole late model trans and rear end?
Not hard to do. The cars and pickups used that 4.44 gearing to make up for the little engine pulling a heavy car. That was their downfall, not enough power. The plant in France had the right idea when Simca took over. A V8-60 in a Vedette was quite a little performer. Get yourself a book on early Ford transmissions and rear ends. There are several published and I think one on DVD, too.
Are you in VA? Fredericksburg area? My Dad knows a Bob Bagley and i've heard the name a bunch over the years.
Thanks, I'm from south side Va., Fredricksburg is 2 hours away. The SBC is hooked to Ford trans. and I plan to keep torque tube but may convert everything to open drive if its to expensive to swap rear gears.
I'm Just north of Richmond in Caroline county. Having done exactly what you are talking about with the gear change, its not cheap. Buddy of mine just got a set of 3.25 gears for the the 40 Banjo in his 32, and it was around $700 dollars for new gears and USA made bearings. In the coming weeks ill have the Rebuilt Banjo out of my 39 with 3.78 gears in it. I'm swapping to ladder bars and a nine inch so i can put a beefier trans in it. Its not hard to do, but it is time consuming. the only way to check your bearing pre load and gear contact patch is to put the entire thing together check your pre load for the bearings and then take it back apart to check your gear contact pattern. the Pinion gear is a pain to get out of the center section most times as well. The easiest way to do it is to find a good banjo with 3.54 gears in it. If it is not the right year for your car, say a 42 to 46 rear, then take your rear out and apart then swap your axle shafts and axle bells to the center section with the 3.54 gears in it. Done this several times over the years with very good success.
I agree that this swap will be around $700 or so. I did this swap about fifteen years ago and it was $600 plus.
Nailhead Jason is correct and I did a similar swap on my '41 p/u. I found a good used center section with 3.78 gears for less than $200 and swapped axles and bells with new gaskets. While you're at it you can check the wheel bearing races for wear and replace them if necessary.
I don't think that rear end will live long behind an SBC. My uncle blew 2 rear ends behind the flathead in his 51 Ford. If you baby it, maybe it will live longer, but what would be the point in installing the SBC?
My understanding is that the weak point in the stock rear is the axles. I seem to recall dragsters with banjo center section in dragsters in the late 50 s early 60s. My only personal experience is my coupe in high school; stock 85 horse flathead and 6.70 Firestones on the back. I beat the **** out of the drive train and didn't brake anything but I didn't do it any good either. JMO
I did a 3.54 swap, but I changed the entire center section, so I wouldn't have to deal with pinion set up. A HAMBER gave me a 48 rear end with 3.54 gears, I swapped in my 40 (2" narrower) bells and axles. Set up the backlash as best I could. It whined a little, but it's still going strong with the new owner.
The Jalopy Journal
