Can anyone identify the approximate year of the Chevy diff in the attached pictures? it was installed in a recent race car I purchased. What's the trick to getting the axle out of the torque tube. It's going to need shortening. Thanks
Can't help with the year, but pull the rear cover, removed the spider gear cross shaft, push the axles in, remove the "C" clips from the axle ends, then pull the axles out. Be careful not to break the bolt/pin holding the cross shaft in, either loosening or tightening. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
I think this is very likely the early one suggested for race car use in the Kuns book on building various types of midget and big car racer...information ***ulated in the '30's and '40's. I can't look that up because I'm at work...somebody here has one handy! The Chevy center section was chosen because it had the drop-out center and so allowed ratio changes a bit more easily than others...this stuff was written right before the quick change Ford based rears came out and took over the racing field. The thing would be from somewhere around 1930, if I'm right.
Exactly as 56sedandelivery said in post 2 to take the axles out. once the axles are out you can unbolt the center section from the axle housing. I'd suggest finding a manual that shows taking that torque tube apart. There are a couple of steps you need to do so you don't damage anything. I'll look in an old Motor manual that I have when I go out in the garage to see if it shows anything. It has the mid 40's Ford Banjo but I don't know about the Chevy rear axle.
early 30s is my guess. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_32/2932mppl038.html and http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1934/index.htm may or may not help you figure it out. Also look here, might take some time to go through all the info for several years of cars. https://gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html
Late 20s early 30s . Hard to rell without the brake shafts and levers. The early ones had crude brakets compared to the later. When i shortened mine i left it together. Sleaved and plug welded with DOM
The exterior brake band supprt will help you tell if its pre 28. The mounting tab at the back of the backing plate for the band is different on the early ones.
Thanks guys. Excellent information!!! It's got hydraulic brakes on it. I guess if it's 1930 hydraulics would have been retrofitted onto axle. Did I read correctly somewhere that hydraulics were used starting in 1936 by Chevy? I'll attach my best picture available.
Not sure on hydraulics year all my stuff is pre '30. Great car tho. Maybe post some side views and close ups.
Looking around at various sites you guys have suggested has been very informative. Looking at the 1929-1932 master parts list (thanks Squirrel), the diff housing strongly resembles the Part # 362147. If I'm reading all that correctly, that is an "I" model which seems to translate into 1929 models. Boo, hiss. If that's the case, it would appear that the drive shaft is bolted to the pinion and not coupled like the newer drive shafts would be.
Those brakes look somewhat similar to my '40 Chevy juice brakes- they could be bolted onto an earlier axle. '36 was the first year for hydraulics for Chevrolet. PLEASE post pics of your sprinter- from your avatar, it's quite the looker!!!
Id love to see a swap on the rear brakes. Looks like the early backing plate was used as it is still rivited on. When you have the drum off it would be great to see a picture. Thanks
Yes I would also be interested in a drum off photo to see how the backing plate has been adapted for the brakes and the transverse spring mount.
I don't know much about the car. Fairly sure it was owned by a Joe Miller from Philadelphia in the 30's. He raced it at Langhorne in the early/mid 30's. Had a Fronty engine in the picture I've posted. Not sure of the variety. Joe didn't finish well, but he participated. Just getting in one of these things in the 30's makes him a really brave man in my book. He apparently p***ed on in 1988. I have one picture. Car's been stretched 6" somewhere along the line since the picture. It's out of state being worked on at present. When I get it home, which could be a couple months from now, I'll try to take pictures of the brake conversion. I don't have any pictures showing brakes that's better than what's posted. Thanks for your interest.
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