What's the best banjo for an A-V8

I'm planning another '31 A-V8 on a Deuce ch***is and am wondering what year banjo to use. I've used the '42-'48s before and while they're nice, they do stretch that Model-A rear spring a bit too wide. Also wanted to keep the rear tires pretty close to the body this time. The car will be a fenderless highboy running '40 wheels and 7:50 tires.
I have a '32 rear end already, which is great because the driveshaft doesn't need shortening, but wondered whether a '35-'36 might be better for the 'bones and better spring hangers. I have a good pair of '36 bones and could find an axle if required. I'd also like to run a 3:78 ratio.
It'll be running a stock torque tube setup and '39 transmission.

 

Anybody?

 

Maybe I should have ***led this, "Can I build an A-V8 on a Chevy S-10 frame". Might run to five pages by now;-)


Twitter @edsrodshop

 

Haha^^^^^ that seems to be the trend these days. All drama no builds.

 

Is price a factor or do you just want the best parts? Things like 36 rear bones could be spendy.

 

Hi Ed.

It's like how long is a piece of string?

The 32 axle has a crossmember that fits a curved rear spring. So unless you use a 32/33/34 type axle you will be having to modify the crossmember or spring (no problem for you I would think.) But the 32/33/34 axle is a little different than the later ones, and the later gears (for a 3.78) will need to be modified to go in. If it were me and I had a 32/33/34 axle that already had 3/78s I'd use it.

So that leaves a 35-6 or 37-40 axle. Or Pilot. All can be made to fit, all will work great and 3.78s were an available ratio.

So as a second choice I'd go for any of the above, but many might go for one of these over a 33/34. There's not much in it.

Just thought of one other wrinkle. The 35/36/Pilot casings are a little lighter than the 37-40 ones, the axle tubes are smaller diameter. So if weight is an issue, the earlier ones are a little lighter, another thing that you might consider, on Old Rusty I used the ends off a 32 axle and the centre and guts of a Pilot axle. Because the Pilot (and 35/36) tubes are the same diameter as the 32, I was able to make an axle that had the Pilot casings and guts but retained the 32 spring and mounts in the 32 crossmember.

Mart.

 

Thanks, Kevin, I appreciate it.

Mart.

 

Edward:
IF you're using a Model A spring, and the length is a concern, consider using a '27 T spring with the '41-'48 rear.
Spring is flatter at the base, with a nice 'camelback' hump. Width of leaves is 2" compared to the Model A's 2.25", but crossmember can be shimmed front and rear with 1/8" plates.
('It works for me')

 

1937-'40 rear axles seem to work well with a Model A Spring. They're an inch and a half narrower than the 1948-'42 axles. . . but still about two and a half inches wider than a Model A axle (so that 1.25 inches wider on each side than stock).

Hope that helps.

 

Well what I have is a '32 rear axle in good condition and a pair of 36 bones. I'm thinking of combining them with a Model-A rear crossmember and spring, added hydraulic brakes and shocks.
But I don't use parts just because I have them. I'm open to whatever works best.


Twitter @edsrodshop

 

The '32 axle will fit pretty good under a Model A, it's only 3/4's of an inch wider.


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You do have to be careful with '32 rear ends though. There was an early, and a late '32 rear. The early is basically a Model "A" unit In a different pair of axle bells and has the tapered spline pinion and weak spiders and such. It can be easily identified by the round joint where it meets the torque tube. The later style has a scalloped case at that same joint and has the tougher, later stuff that carried on through partially to the end of banjo rears. I happened to be at ElPolacko's joint a bit ago when he was packing up your cross member legs to ship out. You'll love 'em!!!

 

I think with that set up you have to bend the 36 bones in quite a bit which can cause interference with the mounting hardware. I could be wrong but John Walker is building a similar set up and ran into this issue.

 

I have a 47 rear in my A with an A spring. The A spring fits fine, and the width seems OK to me.

 

I used a '40 with a quickie center and model a spring pack with a few leaves removed. It worked good on mine

 

How do you specifically identify a 36 rear from other years? My search didn't come up with the information.

 

Banjo rearend identifying great info here.