Found a nice 60' 9-inch from a truck. Cast numbers are "C4AW". Also a 57 truck 9-inch. should I consider trading my 57 fairlane axle for any of this 2 ? Thanks all Diego
Ford PU 9" 1964 were usually much wider and almost always 5X5.5 bolt pattern. Ford 57 9" are really desireable because they are narrow & have the smooth center housing. If anything trade the center section (pig or pumpkin (name is regional)). You probably have a WAR pig which is OK unless you're putting alot of HP against it.
Hey Movin, Theres no WAR stamping visible, it should be. In a few words, you say Id better keep the 57 instead of the 60 ? Thanks Diego
The WAR casting is on the inside - usually along the non-machined area near the edge by one of the bearing supports. The '57-59 are desireable from an aesthetics point of view & dimensional perspective. The smooth back of the housing looks good under cars where the rear is visible. The width is darn near perfect for early rods.
Found a nice 60' 9-inch from a truck. Cast numbers are "C4AW". Also a 57 truck 9-inch. should I consider trading my 57 fairlane axle for any of this 2 ?
The narrower rear end you have is desirable, as it is almost a direct bolt-in for later muscle cars too; it's the right width for '55-'57 Chevy, '67-'69 Camaro, I've heard Shelby put them in the first gen Mustangs, and they also fit '69-'70 AMX. It's a desirable rear end housing for a number of reasons. That could be one of the reasons guys are asking to trade. If you're concerned about the center section, swap it out. But never trade a nice narrow rear end for a real wide rear end. Unless she's a freak...then all bets are off. -Brad
Back to Topic My advise. Keep the narrow 9" axle with 5 by 4.5" bolt pattern. ie 57 ford 9". I'm not versed on 57 ford PU. but yoyo (your on your own) on the 57 PU My 56 PU had the old style spicer style, it's now a 59 ford car 9". I don't know whats available in B.A. Argentina but in the states 57-60 narrow 9" are in demand. Please remember that the ford 9" were all narrow in 57-60 ford, T-bird, Edsel, Ranchero & possibly others, I'm not sure about 57-60 Lincolns & mercs. Best advise I can give is measure the bolt pattern of the wheels & the space/length between backing plates to make sure they fit your car.
Dont call the Lord for such a mundane thing.... Im lazy, you are lazy and/or dont know how to answer. Again: Found a nice 60' 9-inch from a truck. Cast numbers are "C4AW". Also a 57 truck 9-inch. should I consider trading my 57 fairlane axle for any of this 2 ?
The one that fits closest to your springs with out binding would be the one to use. Leaves more room in fenders for wider tires.
The truck will be 60.5 wide and 5.5x5 bolt pattern. The 57 will be 58 wide and 4.5x5 pattern. The truck will be geared lower. The pass is way more desirable. I would keep it. Done.
My observation on the 57 rear end - the early centre section has a smaller diameter ring gear than many later 9" centre sections. They also have a really odd big pinion seal (expensive and hard to find). So - when/if you go to put in a different centre section you may find you need to grind on the housing to allow clearance for the ring gear. I learned about this in the worst possible time/place - much swearing was heard from under the car. I advise opening that up while the housing is still on the bench.
Are you sure you didn't swap it with a Lincoln 9 3/8-inch center section? Dual rib case, with one of the ribs curving around the side of the face. That case requires grinding of the houseing for sure...I've never heard of others needing it. -Brad
My thought would be to keep the very desirable 57 car differential housing and axles. Buy the truck differential and keep the 57 one for future use.
nope - it was a ford 9" centre section - I yanked it out of a 70's something ford van (28 spline). The rearend I have was out of a 57 Ranchero - and the centre sections for that year (up to '60 I think) have a real odd pinion seal in them - the ring gear on these centre sections is actually a bit smaller than 9". Anyhow - any modern 9" gasket shows where the ring gear clears - I had to grind out top and bottom on the housing to get a newer centre section in. Not a fun job when youre in a hurry and not expecting it . Tim Oh yah - I never did answer the original question - DON'T GET RID OF THE REAR END!!!