57 T Bird

We have a customer that bought a 57 T Bird , Says its a 292 3spd .
We have not seen the car .
He was asking if it had a 9" in it and I could not tell him.
He wants to change the diff ratio ( says it winds to hi on the freeway ).
Does anyone know if it is a 9"?
Is there any issues or quirks on a gear change on this ?
Thanks
Brian

 

Its a nine incher.

The 292/3 speed versions were the cheapo 57 Birds.

Damn few of that flavor had the 3 speed overdrive trans but not unheard of.

Usual O.D. rear differentals were 4:11 and 3:89.Its a 28 spline axle.

***uming all parts are original to the car as built.

Oldmics

 

Here's some info you might find helpful

http://www.cometeastcarclub.org/ford9in.html

The '57 Thunderbird came with a 9 inch.

Here's a site with gear ratio codes in order to determine which one is in the car your customer owns.

http://www.oldride.com/library/1957_ford_thunderbird.html

 

I remember seeing one of those early birds with what looked like a small Dana style rear in it. Did they come stock?

 

'55 and '56 had the Dana rear end.

 

Pre 57 Ford trucks station wagons and Thunderbirds had Dana 44s. In 1957 they came out with the 9".

 

Actually alhough considered by nearly all to be a 9" in '57 they were an 8 3/4 ring gear. A 9" chick will go in there but if it is stock it is an 8 3/4".

I just said that to sound smart.