1952-59 Ford 56 rear end measurement

Hi all.

I bought a 9 inch housing this weekend at Carlisle that is suppose to be from a 58 ford. I thought the 58 would bolt right into my 56 hardtop but the purches seem to be about a half inch wider apart on the 58. Am I measuring wrong or will I need to move the purches.

Thanks

 

I have a what i believe to be a 58 9 inch in mine. I bought the car that way. I don't see signs anyone moved the perches. I've read it should be a bolt in.

 

If its a '58 housing it should bolt in without modification.

 

Hard to id a housing. I did some digging to find out what rear was in my 56. What i understand is the 58 has a slight 'band' running from top to bottom with a dimple on each side on the center section looking from the back. Also has 11 inch drums with roughly 2-1/2 inch shoes. I think the 58-60 t-bird perches where a shade wider and also used wider brake shoes and drums.

 

The perches look the same but they measure just a bit wider. Could be my measurement process. I'll try to measure again.

Thanks!

 

I put what I presumed to be a 57 rear and the spring mounts were a tad wider that the 54 (1/2 inch it may have been. I just stretched the distance between the two springs to make it fit. Got a fair amount of miles on the car with no problems.

 

The early 9 in. rear end spring perches are approx. 1/2 in different (1/4 in. per side) than a 56. Unless your springs/hangers/mounts are real tight you won't notice any problem with spring bind. Paul Selfe.

 

Thanks!

Now that I am sure that it fits I can start looking fir parts for it.