Was told it was an olds rear, just not sure. [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG] Here is a "9" stamped in pad...did olds make a 9"? [/IMG] [/IMG] Thank you all!
If C 9 6 is date code, it was made March 9, 1956 More info on '57-'64 Olds/Pontiac rear axles http://cruisinstyle.com/tech/100015/
There is also a "three" rib (on the right side of last picture) design. Not positive, but I believe they were a little later years and possibly most had lower gears and posi's. Mike
This yoke sure looks like my 56 Ford (pre 9") The u joint comes with cast iron caps that fit this area and not the more common half round recess for a common U joint with round needle bearing caps.
Interesting... The mystery goes on. I'm taking it into my friends shop this weekend and he sold his driveline and rearend business but still does rears out of his home shop... When I get a positive ID from him and parts ordered for it I'll be sure and report back for sure so we can all learn.
56 and older Olds-Pont. There are NO LSD available for these. At one time there was a spool available. Butch/56sedandelivery.
Hmmm, my 55 Pontiac rear the center was held in by larger 7/16 bolts, not 3/8 studs. Not sure about Olds but the 57-64 rear started in the late production 56 Pontiac for Nascar. I would be interested in the spline count on this axle., guessing 29 spline?
Probably 10 or 16 spline. This one is not the big '57-64 rear. However, these early smaller Olds/Pont rears were often used in FED's back in the day. There are (Mickey) Thompson pumpkin cases floating around out there. And, apparently the locking spiders for the '57-64 rears will fit these earlier rears and lock them solid. I might have some 4.** ratio gears for the early Olds/Pont rears. Would need to look.
Yes I realize what I posted and know 57-8 are 29 spline. But I know if Olds and Pontiac are the same outside of the spline difference between 10 and 16, my 55 Pontiac had bolts not studs holding in the carrier, unless Olds used studs instead? Just because it's a March 56 build date I'm guessing they were making them early for the 56 Nascar anyway and used them for 57 production as well.
I should add two more things to this thread, since it's about pre-'57 Olds/Pont rears... I once met a guy who indicated that he custom machined a Mopar 8-3/4 posi unit to fit inside his stock '50 Olds rear... I also have a '65 Mickey Thompson speed catalog, and they listed a pumpkin case for '37-53 Olds/Pontiac and one for '54-6 Olds. Didn't say anything about '54-6 Pontiac. They were available in both aluminum and magnesium. I have seen several magnesium ones over the years... but the only aluminum ones I ever heard of were a couple '57-64 ones, one of which I had owned. I never saw any aluminum ones for the pre-'57 rears, though they probably sold at least some.
Just some more confirmation. This is a '57 Olds rear in my buddies '41 Willys. The center section and axle tubes look identical to yours.