I got this rear end as a freebee, from being a middle man in a Harley basket case deal. I'm wondering where this model falls in the time line of Halibrand's products (ie: Culver City, Torrance, El Cajon) Also was it common to put these axles in, I assume these are 3/4 ton? What's the typical axle used for a model A street car? Do I pull some out of a truck?
3/4 ton Ford truck....1938-1952?....that is what the bells look like they are from....common set up back then.
It looks like a "banjo" style center section with "full floating hubs." (out of a BIG truck, eight wheel lugs?) The hydraulic brakes would put it somewhere in the '40's. (just guessing, but banjo center sections were discontinued in the early 50's) That looks like a very unusual setup, might have been used for some serious racing and custom built. (drag, Bonneville? ) As far as the axle shafts go; you might get lucky at a salvage yard. The next problem would be wheels that looked good in an "A" and fit the hubs. Normally the quick changes used in street rods wouldn't have the full floating hubs, and would be a 5 lug bolt pattern.
Common old stock car rearend....uses Ford truck axles. There's probably a spool or welded spiders in there so it ain't a great street setup unless you can figure out how to get a differential (spiders or a locker) in it. If those side bells are cast iron that thing's gotta weigh a ton !
Yeah, the rear end is heavy as hell, as my back can testify. I figured it was a "roundy round" dirt track rearend, seeing as we have limited amounts of pavement in OK. The British car is a 1955 Austin Healey 100-4, like you give a shit! Let me pose the question like this: If you got this freeby, and were gonna run it on the street, what axles would you replace these humongous units with? Should I seek out the Local Dirt Trackers?
I'll take the licence plate holder and light off that Sprite. Anti-British my ass! Lots of dragsters used the little british cars wheels for the fronts too in the 50's & 60's. Not to mention all the Anglia gassers.
Just a thought, since mine is a V-8, but could you not add large bearing ends from a 9" to the axle tubes after cutting off the floater bearing stubs outside of the backing plates. Then have 5-bolt flanged axles made or resplined(Moser?) Or use the 9" bearing cup with splined outer axle ends and a splined 5-bolt hub with retainer like NASCAR(?) boys. Can't remember where I've seen these, maybe Speedway. Pull off those floater hubs and brakes and do some measurin' and cipherin'. Also need to see if that thing has a spool or welded spiders. Need a differential for the street. 100-4's are bitchin! Got any extra seats?
need i recite some incantations about bump steer? i have '51 TD (and my daily is '71 BGT, but dont tell anybody ), i just couldn't tell what variety of AH it was (that chrome strip is way to nice for anything after the 3000) The 100-4 are some of the prettiest cars made, they look less brutish than the 3000. How long have you had the Healy? Looks great.
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