Shoebox rear end tech question

I just picked up and unfinished project with a 49-50 Ford shoebox rear end. What yoke can I get (or is there one) that I can replace the current yoke with something newer? I would replace the entire rear end with something newer, but it's already in and nicely done and dimensionally fits the project perfect.



Bruce

 

Is the yoke bad? They do make u-joints to fit a mismatched driveshaft...if that's the problem.

 

I'm not sure but I doubt they make a ujoint to fit the '49 ford yoke and adapt to anything else. The '49 yoke uses a u-joint where the bearing caps themselves are bolted to the yoke. So the yoke has a flat surface and the bolts to that.

 

I bet I've broken 15 shubox axles and 5 or 6 third members[with flathead engines] . They're really spindly and weak. I'd recommend using a maverick 8 inch axle. I bolted one in my 49 ford, beat on it unmercifully and it never gave me grief. I did have to cut the maverick spring pads off and weld new ones on at a slightly different angle because as low as my 49 was, the pinion angle was wrong.
If you're determined to re-use the 49 axle, there are offsett U-joints available and you can use the weird 49 U-joint caps on the new offsett U-joint to make it hook up. NAPA has a U-joint book listing all the dimensions of their U-joints. I'm sure they'll have what you need.
If you want to replace the flange, I think they're the same spline up through 56 and take a common U-joint.

 

My old 49

 

Thanks Guys. I don't have a emotional attachment to this rear end, it just happened to be already mounted when I got the project off the board, here. If it is an easy fix (which it sounds like it might be either way), I can finish collecting the correct parts for the build and get on with it.

Bruce

 

I have a friend whom has one of those diffs behind a cad 331 in an A bone all put together in 1965, he says those diffs are great but it's crucial to torque the hardware that attaches the U joint to the pinion...

 

Rocky, did you actually get your stock rear to hook up?! I figured part of the reason mine has been OK is that the tires just spin if I give it any pedal. That said, I just picked up a mav rear, I'm looking forward to getting it in.