'49 Chevy rear end

Working on a '49 Chevrolet and installed a Chassis Engineering front suspension. Now moving to the rear end and trying to decide what rear end to use. The original measured 55". Looking for advise as to what fits good and can be found in a salvage yard. The car is going to have a stock 350 with a TH350. Thanks

 

Is that 55" from axle flange to axle flange?

 

Yes, flange to flange.

 

The Chevy rearends from 55-64 will work fine as well as Nova 67-74.

 

and remember, you measure from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface to determine rear axle width.

 

If you'd searched, there's easily 100 posts asking this same question.

Close to bolt-in:

55-57 Chevy car, perches slightly narrow
70-81 Camaro/Firebird, perches slip right over, may be too deep/require blocks, rear slightly wider than stock

Both require locating pin hole drilled in correct position for stock spring;

Rearends that also fit but need perches added or moved:

S10 4x4 all years
77-89 GM midsize (Malibu, Monte Carlo, etc.)
75-79 Nova/clones (may fit okay)
68-74 Nova/clones
58-64 Chevy cars

There's probably others, but those will keep the stock bolt pattern and give you any possible gear combo and strength you need.