Dropped & drilled axle identification...

I will try to add my pictures to the thread since I have an axle that cane from GV Gordon in Oklahoma and it matches NOTHING I have ever seen.

 

It seems Ford axles do have a front or back as it is invariably easier to install the king retainer pins from one face or the other and always the same face on both sides.
But it may be that the first installation of the retainer pins at the factory makes the install after the fact easier. Other than this there appear to be no difference front to back.

 

Thanks for the tip Gary (couldn't find his website) but the SA authorities fold there arms and look away when it comes to dropped axles no matter where they come from and my engineer would still have to approve it so if I'm going to go to all that trouble I'll get it done in the US using my own chosen craftsmen.

Yes, I bought it off "parts-for-bill-bay" so I'll put you down for a vote for "Mor-Drop".

To answer your question yes, you can have a dropped axle as long as it's been forged that way from the start (so long as you use modern disc brakes for any OHV engine - sigh, more dollars for my engineer to explain to them how drum brakes can be fine - e.g. 401 powered 19' 100 tonne 1966 Buick Electra) so every single original axle that has been dropped (or had any heat applied to it ever in it's life after cooling from the first strike) is not allowed and if you drill a hole in it they start sobbing uncontrollably.

I bypass all that by paying for my own engineer to actually think because as normal human behaviour dictates so often; they are just workers who hate their jobs like 99% of all public servants and simply aren't paid enough to think and make a sensible decision because they just want to go home at 5pm with as little interaction or hassle as possible. I should allow for the possibility that they might want to help but their hands are tied by petrified legislators.

In a private conversation I'll also let you know what I think about many other aspects of our "street rod" technical consultants because I'm not sure there's enough room on the internet's hard drive for that rant.

Fortunately though they have allowed us an out. "We don't want to think but if you want to pay someone (thousands and thousands of dollars) to think for us we'll approve anything he approves" and lucky for that because if it wasn't for that I'd go insane and probably driving my cars regardless. Late at night, around the block.

So all measurements are equal and mirrored side to side, front to back? That's good to know. Now all I have to do is linish those ugly dots off the surface or ironically reverse it so they can't be seen. I might even ask my engineer if there is a way for me to test it for cracks with an x-ray.

The good news is that (as long as I don't chrome it - grrrrr) he is willing to approve my dropped, drilled and polished axle from Dave Mann as long as the procedure is documented and once approved I will be the first heat dropped and drilled axle to be allowed in a very long time. It won't be a precedent but it will show that if you throw enough money at something stupid restrictive legislation can be overcome.

Of course, that's no solution to ordinary wage earners out there who are trying to build a low buck ride and only a solution for those who can afford it which although gets me out of the shit doesn't help the majority of rodders who are cool guys trying to to have some harmless fun. I'm a freak and I'm investing heavily in US tin and my dream of living the hot rod life every day but for people with families and limited resources they just end up building whatever the authorities will let them - which is sad. I've spoken to a few of them and they don't like it but they have no choice.

Rant over.

 

Hello Gent's,

I realize this is mainly a Ford axle discussion, I how ever am having a bit of trouble identifying am axle that I have recently acquired. I believe it to be a GM but....being relatively new to building Rods and Customs I may be way off base. Is it possible thta any of you might know the humble beginings that a dropped axle with the markings 3656872 GM312 may have once rambled down the dirt streets of a lost Americana?

Thank you for any assistance any one may be able to provide.