Ive got a 40 Ford Sedan that I'm switching over to an open drive train. I have the motor and ****** but I'm not sure which rear to use. Will the later model Camaro and Fire Chicken rears work (1977 vintage) or will they be too wide? What are you running? Thanks.
in `35-`40 fords i like to use ford granada , about 58" wide , measured at the wheel mounting flanges..gives you room for some decent size wheels/tires in my `36 , i have a ford maverick , about 56" wide , but i have some huge wheels/tires with a deep offset
I also used a Granada rear on my 40 coupe, 8" Ford is plenty strong enough for a decent engine. The Granada housing will bolt in without even changing the spring pads if you use the Ch***is Engineering leaf spring kit. It's pretty much a bolt together deal. The Granada was only offered by Ford in two different rear end gear ratios; 2:79 & 3:00, they both work well out on the highway. I have one of each, as well as two posi center sections, a 3:55 & and a 4:11. I just pulled the 4:11 out and put the 2:79 back in, which hasn't been back in the car for over 15 years.......................makes a huge difference with gas at $2:39 a gallon. I also have a 66 Chevy II, 12 bolt, it's the most narrow of all the dueces and most of the Camaros, but their like hen's teeth. The little Lincoln is an option and it is a 9", but because it has rear disc brakes, it's really too wide for a 40 Ford. I'm running 7 1/2" Halibrand Sprints (4 1/8" backspace) with 235 X 70 X 15 rear tires, that's about as big as you can go and still use the old style Ch***is Engineering sway bar. Just my two cents...........................................
Wow thanks guys, especially John. Thats alot of useful info. I knew the Grenada rears worked well with the CE kit which is what I'll use. Ive been on the phone all morning now with the local boneyards and I cant believe Im having trouble locating one. Im sure one will turn up. Thanks again.
If the Granada rear will fit, then another car to check for is 65/66 Mustang V8. Same width and spring perch as Granada and 57/59 Ford. If you find a V8 car it will most likely have an 8 inch, some of the hipo units came with 9 inch rears, but the chances of finding one in the bone yard is near impossible.
Be advised that Ford changed the spacing from the housing flange to the axle flange in about '67 or so. The translation of this is that brakes designed for the older axles won't bolt up to the later ones, despite the fact that the bolt patterns are the same. Learned this the hard way when we switched from '67 Mustang rear to the '59 big car rear. By the way, the '67-'70 Mustang rear will fit under the car, but will require bigger backspacing on the wheels. I would probably still have mine under there if I'd realized that the correct backspacing wheels were available for less money than changing the rear cost..... By the way, my tape says the '59 rear is about 57 1/2 inches, wheel mounting face to wheel mounting face. The '67-'70 is two inches wider.
Also keep in mid with the 65-66 Mustang 8" rears the axle tube steps down to only 2-1/4" dia. at the spring pad area, you'll have to make your own saddle. the aftermarket ones are made for 3" dia.
I set my buddy up with a 56 Ford truck rearend , with 60s self adjusters , it fits just right and has wide 5 inch bolt pattern so it fits the stock wheels , all parts were available and cheep .
Here is my car with the Granada rear and Ch***is Engineering parallel leaf spring kit as I mentioned earlier. The early 57 and 58 Ford 9" rears will work, but you'll have to use a wheel that looks like it's off a front wheel drive car, they are too wide. Maverick or Granada, I have put 40K miles on this car since I built it in 1989 and although I do have a number of center sections, it works well. I put a new set of CE springs in it last year and rebuilt the front end this spring. When I originally built this car, CE didn't sell the springs, they recommended that you use springs from a Dodge D-50 pick-up. The dimensions are identical but the bolt eyes are wrapped the opposite direction. I ran a pair that I got out of a junk yard for many years. Good luck, ain't nothing like the lines of one of Henry's 40 Coupes! John
I'm running an 8" out of a 72 Comet. 2.72 gears gives me good gas mileage out on the freeway. Is strong enuf for a mild 350.
Doesn't sound like you're interested in the early Ford bolt pattern, but I believe the '66-73 Bronco 9" fits well & will have the 5x5.5" pattern...
True, true BUT ......the pinion is offset ( 4X4 you know ) and the driveshaft gets close to the driveshaft tunnel. On a lowered car.....it WILL rub..... Been there .......done that....
I have a 9" Ford with 3:00 gears posi. There is a guy in North Royalton Ohio who specializes in rebuilding,narrowing,of the 9 inch Ford axle. We call him 9 inch Harry. This guy is a great resource for anything 9 inch Ford. I had my 40s rear done by him and he narrowed it,regeared it,rebuilt the posi and resplined one of the axles even,all in his Garage/ba*****t. He is the man around here for 9 inch Fords. Call Harry at (440)237-4299 he is a wee bit excentrick but a good dude nevertheless.
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