I recently got a 56 Ford Mainline V8, and rear end seems to be stock.....although I have no clue what rear end it is??? Does anyone know exactly what came in these?? I am trying to buy a new pinion yoke, because I am upgrading to a different U-joint. The stock u joint is a weak design, and this car is carrying about a 450 hp motor. Any help will be appreciated. The pinion yoke I just pulled off of it seems to be a 10-spine!
1949-56 Fords have basically the same rear and are interchangeable except the wagons and sedan deliveries which used a Dana 44 a design that has been used in other vehicles,click on this: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=18186 and go to page 2,Retro Jim has posted a chart of rear ends the first four listed will bolt in to your Ford and be the correct width the 9" would be preferred for strength or the Mustang,Maverick 8" next choice.The rear you have now could handle up to a 350 HP small block because of the torque output of most big blocks the old rear needs to go.Mostly the 49-56 Ford rears were called "Ford rears" they never had a name like Dana,8".9" etc.
It's not likely that you'll hurt the stock rear end with conventional street tires and conventional street driving. Jeff's suggestions are good ones, however, if you plan on adding substantially more traction or substantially more strip time...or both.
do you know if there is a different 10-spline pinion yoke, which will allow for a 1310 or better U joint?? The one that is on there now is stock, which uses a "mechanic's" style Ujoint. I just think it would be stronger with a 1310 than the other...???? Any suggestions?
If anyone would know it would be these guys,been at it a long,long time www.****sdriveshaft.com it might be best to call them to discuss your need.
****s set me up with a 1310 u-joint, stock pinion combo for my 55 with a toploader, wasn't cheap but it's in there and no problems
I was just reading Tom McCahill's road test of the '53 Studillac and I see he mentions Frick replacing the '53 Studebaker rear axle with a Mercury axle with 11" brakes. Were they different/stouter than the Ford piece? Or is he perhaps referring to the Dana 44 from the wagons?
Ford Outside WidthYearModel 56.50--1969-1977 Maverick 8" 57.00--1974-1978 Mustang II 8" 57.25--1957-1959 Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon 57.25--1965-1966 Mustang 58.00--1966-1977 Bronco 58.00--1964-1965 Falcon 58.00--1977-1981 Granada/Versailles 58.50--1977-1981Versailles GM 57.75--1962-1964 Chevy II/Nova 57.75--1965-1967 Chevy II/Nova 58.00--1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo Hope this helps ! The Ford rears work the best ! Jim
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