model A banjo + Ford 223 = doable?

Hey guys i got a 223 im starting to refresh for a minimal budget lakes style car. Would a model A banjo rear stand up to a 223? Also ive got a 3 speed manual with the engine and am thinking about adapting a T5 since i live in Texas and even a trip to the gas station can put you at highway speeds. Is it possible to mate a torque tube type rear to a open drive like a T5 or even that stock '54 3 speed? Any incite would help, i searched and am in the process of filtering the knowledge and some info from the rest of the interwebs. any help or incite would be appreciated. Out.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187

happened upon this for some open drive conversion info, but im still wondering if a 30's banjo is strong enough to handle not being coddled behind a docile 223 straight six?

 

I wouldn't use anything more powerful than a stock 2.0 or 2.3 Ford banger hooked up to a Model A rear end.
You hit it hard one time and your banjo will have broken strings all over the roadway.
Any V8 rearend from 32-48 can handle that 6 without problem.

 

you can swap out the center section with the later banjo
the later one has a pinion support
just use the A axles and tubes
tk

 

thanks for the heads up. ill continue to look for one of the later versions.

 

does anyone know what model cars these stronger banjos were found in? im not finding a good source for this info.

 

Have you done this? I don't believe the "A" axles or housings will interchange with V8.
I have a buddy that runs an "A" rear end behind a small block. He just doesn't put his foot in it. The "A" was the choice for early sprint cars in the "30"'s. because of the variety of ratio's available. One trick is to make a snubber like the later quick changes had. another trick is to tighten the axle nuts to 200lbs torque after you lap the hubs to the axles. No shims! The later rear ends are flathead V8's from 36 to 46.

 

Model A axles and gears made it into the 9 second bracket in early drag cars, and will laugh at your pitiful six!
Anyhow, just make sure pinion and carrier bearings are good and have no slop, mesh properly adjusted. If gears can wobble around, anything will break them. Later axles and banjo do NOT interchange into Model A ***embly.

 

I agree. Run it. That banjo ain't gonna sweat no six. Especially in a light car. Just don't go off any sweet jumps.

 

hmm this is good news, thanks for the info guys.

 

I'm not sure it would bolt up to the 223 but Ford did make a ****** that came in mid 80s trucks that's well suited to rods. It's the T-170 which is a 4sp. overdrive unit with a shifter position well suited to use in early Fords. They did offer another 4sp. I think which was not OD and had a granny first instead.

 

As long as you don't do big burn-offs...you shouldn't break it.
maybe bolt on some holders so you don't lose your wheels.