My model A frame is set up for a banjo rear. Besides gear ratio, is there an advantage to usually one year rear end over the other? I will be putting everything into a quickchange. But I have a 1935, 1940, 1946 lying around. Thanks Kevin
Right off the bat, I'd say go with the '40 --it's the most sensible. It is not as wide as the '46, so it will look better under a Model A, and it may also be stronger then the '35. If one of the diffs is a 3.78, use its gears. Especially with a quickchange, or even without. Unless you happen to have a 3.54, of course, it's the most sought after ratio.
I am of the opinion that pre '37 banjos look best under an A Bone as the axle tubes are a bit slimmer and better proportioned to the A chassis. The pre '37 cars used a slightly smaller carrier bearing than the heavier 37/48 banjo equipped Fords, when the bearing size increased so did the outside diameter of the axle housing. I have a 35/36 housing under my A bone with a slim 33/34 torque tube.
My (46) is the same width as my 35, so maybe it's not a 46 after all. But it does have 3.78's. But it has a different style drums then both the 40 and 35. I saw the cars that 40 and 35 came out of. So maybe I need an id on the supposed 46?
It should be noted that most Qc's come with a R+P so ratio shouldnt matter, unless you are gunna machine the pinion to fit a qc
The pinion on a halibrand needs a bearing on its nose for the rear cover, i belive stock ones may be modified, but i'm not 100% sure. Also there are 2 different splines of pinions on ford pinions an 8 and a 6 and and you would need the 6 spline too
The thing with the 35 axle is they don't accept the pre '49 brakes without mods. I prefer the '37 to '40 axles. They are much cleaner looking, the '40 to '48 brakes bolt right up and are a perfect width for your A. Are the drums on the outside or inside of the hub on your "'46" axle? Ron
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