I know Ill prolly get bagged on for this one, but....

This thing only measures 52" wide......it fit perfect in the back.....what are other shoebox owners running???? Ah ha....new thread!!!

 

Definatly Not a 9"

 

Looks a lot like the early O/P rear I have laying next to the garage under a couple feet of snow. FWIW- another good way to confirm different mfgs. rears is to measure the end flange bolt pattern.

 

forgot one thing......mine was also a 4.5" pattern.....the olds / poncho should be a 5" .......brandon

 

Two pages and we still don't know what it is?

 

Suicide,
Are you able to use the measurement chart that was posted or the confirm whether the pattern is 4.5" or 5"?

I'm dying to know.

 

Yeah, that's why I am just gonna get rid of the damn thing. the wheel bolt pattern is 5 x 4.5 and it looked like the flange spacing is 4.5". I am interested to find out what it really is. Why doesn't someone just buy it from me for $50 and have some fun with it....Hahahahaha

 

The houing ends are the same shape as the newer Ford one, bit the spacing is 4 1/2" instead of 3 1/2"...

 

post a picture of wheel studs and brake drum.

 

Here they are.

 

It's not a 8" or 9" looks like the stock 7.5" 49-53

 

I don't have mine sitting here in front of me to compare it too, but I would say you have a stock rear end out of your '50. Whoever sold you the car must have assumed it was a 9" because of the drop out center section. You said it only measures 52" wide, where is that measurment taken? The stock ford should be 57" overall in width and around 51" backing plate to backing plate.

 

52" backing plate to backing plate

 

52... 51... close enough. Look for a nice 8" or 9" rear to use. I am using an 8" out of a '66 Fairlane under mine, I did have to get it narrowed some to fit the wheel/tire combo I have. Figure out the gear ratio you want to run, the 8" is more limited, but if you can get the 8" Maverick rear end, it's the easiest fit. Like other's have alread stated the late 70's Grenada and Lincoln Versallis (sic) will also work (9"), the Lincoln has disk brakes.Here is a link to help search for a doner car, look at the middle to bottom of the page.
http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm
Good Luck...

 

My concern is if it is even usable with all that welding on the housing and tubes. There just HAS to be some warpage there, and it would probably eat wheel bearings like a kid at McDonalds eatin' fries.

No shame in asking the question: you WERE told it was a 9 inch, it k*i*n*d*a looks like one, and if you're not working with Fords day in/day out, you'd have a question.

But, please, do something about the horrid "engineering" that those brackets simply hint at.

Cosmo

 

I find it easier to measure from flange to flange. There are too many different brake setups that will alter the tread width even with the same backing plate to backing plate measurement. And tread width is what you'll ultimately want to end up with.

Cosmo