Hey Guys, I have a couple of newbie questions that I am hoping someone can answer for me: I have a 1946 Chevy coupe project that I am planning on upgrading to the 1951 and later brakes (and going from 6 to 5 lug in the process). I have the entire front brakes and spindles off of a '53, so there won't be a problem up front. I also have a 1957 rear end that I can swipe the complete brakes from. I know that the drums, shoes, hardware, wheel cylinders, etc. are the same on 1951-later cars, so I should be able to use all of that. So here are my questions: 1) Will the 1955-later backing plates bolt to the 1946 rear? 2) Can I just swap in a set of 1949-1954 5 lug axles into my 1946 rear, or are they a different length/spline count? I am hoping that the answers to both are yes - that way I can finish my upgrade/conversion in a few hours, without having to remove the rear end! Thanks in advance, ****gy
most of the time i dont even ask,but im allways curiuos,by the time you took to print this ad up,you could of already had the rear end apart to compare.a measuring tape works well,but i also like to use calipers take the stuff apart and compare,its not that hard.what kind of 40s rear end is it?splines in different makes are not the same but sometimes can be interchanged with other side gears,with of course some machining,but its possible.filthy frank.
It's the stock rear end, still in the car. Chevy went to 5 lug wheels in 1949, as well as changing the cars in general, however the rear end is still basically the same (torque tube) until they went to the open drivetrain in 1955. I am trying to acertain whether or not the axles out of the later torque tube rear ends are direct replacements. I am also trying to determine if the brake plates I have will work with the stock rear end. I asked (after searching the forum), because I figure someone here has gone through this already. I do not actually have the car yet, it is in transit, so I cannot examine it ahead of time. I am hoping to determine what I need to finish the upgrade so that I can have everything ready to complete the job when the car arrives. I have been made aware of the fact that the original brakes need work, and would rather do the upgrade immediately instead of spending time and money repairing the original brakes. Thanks, ****gy
i have couple question. will a 1953 pontaic rear end 3rd member fit my 1956 oldsmobile. i notice that both cars use the same u joints one the rear. please help thanks
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