i did some searching and didn't find a whole lot of info. i'm looking to do a rearend swap in a 53 merc. what are a few good options? it's just got a stock 350/350 combo in it, i'm just looking for something with a 3.08 or so gear that'll have the same wheel bolt pattern. it doesn't have to be bullet proof. thanks!
I don't remember if the Merc is the same width as the ford. But, in my 53 Ford I used a 80's Ranger 2wd rearend. I had to relocate the perches and make a driveshaft but that is all very easy to do. You can get the perches at a speed shop or Jegs for less than $15. I got the drive shaft from the Ranger and cut off the rear yoke and welded it into the shaft I was using. The Ranger rear was 1/2 narrower on each side(which helps a little on lowered car). They have a tag on the cover that has the ratio on it. One was a 3.08 or 3.07. I got it and the driveshaft from a junkyard for $50. I have a 302/c4 in mine with no problems. Everybody kept saying to get a Maverick rear. But, I could only find one and the old guy said "$200.00 for the rearend cause the Model A guys eat these up.
a friend of mine has a '54 ford with a 9" rear, fits nicely. not sure what it's out of. i have a '49 rear in my A and it's the same as our '54 merc. These gears interchange: fords: '49-'54, and merc 52(?)- 54. The ford/merc-o-matics, no overdrive, had a 3.54 or a 3.31 gear. I think (might be wrong) that some 3 speeds without overdrive had those gears too, plus a 3.73. not exactly what you're looking for but the 3.54/3.31 are definitley a good cruising ratio. mine is a 3.73 from a shoebox ford. i have a 3 spd toploader and the 3.73 is pretty good on the highway.
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