So with severely crippled searches lately (never what you're looking for) it seems the 42-8 Columbia is 2" wider than the 37-41. I stumbled upon some stories that said a 42-8 was used in their earlier cars, yet even with a spoon of salt vs a grain I can't seem to wrap my head around the effort. I have the extra room to push outward with tires but maybe not in the future if I went generic 15X6 wheels and radials for long trips. You know, don't burn bridges. I smell unseen WTFs in this stew of ideas and caveats. Undue worry or run away in the other direction? I'm currently equipped with 30" tires and 3.78s. Not hateful, but a Columbia would make 70 mph pretty cozy and right now I feel like 60-65 is the harsh reality. Fresh stock 239 flatty, not much hop up planned over twice pipes and dual carbs. Ok, ok. There might be a decent deal on one but it's a 42-8. If it's just nuts and bolts then...?
Actually the 42-48 is an 1-1/2 wider, 3/4" per side. Drive shaft & torque tube from the 39 will interchange. Use the 39 radius rods with a 3/4" spacers at the backing plate. Not to worry.
I’ve got an unassembled 41 Columbia I’d sell. Would need a donor stock 41 rear to make it complete though.
(ears perked up) So then here's another thought. All the Ford stuff in a standard banjo like axles, bells etc work in sync with the Columbia stuff on the other side. My race car days had me modifying housings on a truly regular basis. Is it crazy to think I could get a standard 37-41 right side bell and move the Columbia stuff to it? The right side axle is just a Ford axle poked in thru the good stuff? No worries at all about modding up a bell if that's also a reasonable thought.
I may end up scrapping this idea for now. While perhaps ultimately doable there's a finance angle involved that I'm not sure I want to tackle. The peripherals add up fast.
The Jalopy Journal
