I have a 37 v8 60 axle that I plan to use for a salt flat style 34 Chevy coupe build but am concerned about strength and how heavy of an engine they can safely be used with. Does anyone have any information?
The strength of the tube axle has been discussed in the past but from my limited knowledge I know it is ill advised to use a tube axle with split wishbones, the tube axle doesn't flex and I found out the hard way with a Superbell tube axle and split bones under my 1939 Ford convertible, I hit a huge pot hole and snapped the left spring perch off at the axle. Pete & Jake's recommended I use a 4 bar set up to aid in the articulation of the axle. HRP
Will this vehicle be driven anger? If so, you may not to use something stronger and not be overly concerned with a vintage axle...A salt look should be a low look and the axle will not be seen..
No need to go down the split wishbone versus hairpin versus parallel 4 link rabbit hole. I am aware of the issues there.
Early day midgets used the ford tube as well as after market units & handled the flathead 60's & offy's, more current type sprint cars for a time as well.
Like everything from the 30s and 40s ,most likely everything is over engineered .a 37 ford would likely weigh more than a 34 chev and I am sure there is not much weight difference between a v8 60 and a chev 216.
Rolling Bones guys have went to the 36/37 tube axles in their builds. I sold them a nice one earlier this year. They are hanging Hemi's on them.
The v8 60 was listed @ 300 pounds but some really heavy pigs have been used on cars with that axle. I probably would not use it with a 318 Cummins but it should hold up to about anything we would use.
I am not sure if the 60 horse and the 85 horse cars were assembled in the same plant. I am not really informed on that. I do know that if they were changing over sometimes the parts already in play got used. Stopping the assembly line was frowned on. I think that we are finding ourselves in a situation that we are way over thinking something. When hot rodders were creating our history they just did things and let the chips fall where they may. Back then it was more getting it done and less mathematics.
That '37 tube was (and still is) THE axle to have, mostly on fenderless T buckets... Norm Grabowski and Tommy Ivo both used them on the T buckets they built. Many Midgets and 'big cars' used them exclusively, as @dirt car mentioned above. I saved two of them, one will go under my '27 roadster. (the 'hot setup'!) They are quite strong, I had one under a Chevy gasser in the '70s...Many wheelstands. No problems.
The age old thread titled I believe "V8 - 60 front axles an appreciation" dated june 22 2009 gives much detailed info. A question in that posting inquired if Ford cast or stamped any part numbers. looking over my axle the only i.d.'s found were 'BB' on either end which I'm assuming is the front face although I didn't note if king pin inclination dictates such. also the letter 'c' is stamped between one of the pair of double b's & could only describe it as a lazy 'c' as it is laid on it's back. The 'c' also is stamped on the machined land area of one side where the steering stop would be attached. This happens to be a n.o.s axle with excellent clarity in red prime with exception of both ends (6" or so) in raw unpainted steel.
The Jalopy Journal
