What is this rear end?

Ive tried to look in the Tech archive and searched "Ford Rearend" on here and no real answer. I think its a 8" Ford. I was told it came off a '50 Ford sedan. I want to know if it's worth using or should I junk it. It was a freebee. It has 10 bolts,52" from brake flange to brake flange,and 8A-4025 on the top of the pumpkin,and 10-41 430 on the bottom of the pumpkin. Any ideas??

 

It's a 49-51 Ford. Not an 8 or 9 inch. Just a rear end, nothing special or desirable. Unless you get rid of it, then you'll need it all of a sudden. I think, THINK that 8A decodes 1949.

 

Should work just fine in many applications...they came stock in 50 Fords btw...

 

yup, that's the Ford rear that they made before they invented the 9" in 57. 49-56 ford rears are mostly similar. although they used some Dana rears in trucks and wagons.

 

As long as you don't plan to put a lot of power through it, it will work fine.

 

While not known to be really stout, it was adequate for all the Fordilacs, all the Fords up thru the '56 292s, and a whole lot of other engine conversions thru the '50s. If you try hard enough, you can tear up anything. Likewise, you can avoid shelling transmissions and rearends by prudent driving.

 

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but any suggestion on what it can handle? I'd be mating mine up to a '54 Olds 324 and I'd like to do the odd burnout or two.
Also, is Ford's version of the Posi available for it?

 

Rebuild the rear, shim it on the tight end of spec and i'd say you should be fine

 

I had a lot of Fords that used this rear and now have a '54 Ford with this rear hooked up to a 302 & AOD I never lost one and beat on a lot of them pretty hard,sorry no posi was ever made for them.

 

I am thinking an early 50's Cadillac.
If it has wheel bearings the same as the big bearings in a 9 inch that is probably what it will be.
I am gessiing at a ratio of about 3.4 : 1

 

Personally, I would not use it. I would think parts for it would be hard to find if you break down somewhere. Its hard enough to go to the local neighborhood autoparts store to get parts for a 20year old car, much less an undesirable obsolete rearend.

 

The weak point on these rear ends is the u-joint (pinion) yoke. Ask me how I know???? 800 miles from home........

 

Just put a post on the hamb, someone can deliver an old one faster than the parts store

 

Thanks for your input guys, and for the knowledge on the posi. I plan on driving it more than really ragging on it, but I'd like to step on the gas from a standstill once in a while. I guess if I decide to rebuild it, I'll just have to make sure I'm only a brute when I'm close to home...

Sorry to hear about your bad luck! You're the second guy to warn me about the pinion yoke on these. If I look into rebuilding, I'll have to see if there's a way to beef it up.
Just out of curiosity, when you broke, did you replace the rear with something else altogether? As in, do you still have the same style rear, or something new?

 

I broke mine 48 years ago. When the yoke broke, I lost the driveshaft and the aluminum case of my new T-10 (an expenssive loss at 17). Before that I lost a couple axles....I 'd say the weakest element. My opinion is its not worth thinking about with Ford 8's or 9's and good axles so easy to come by. Good luck

 

I'm still curious to know what diff this is, since how can folks be so sure that is no good if it has not been ID'ed yet??? If it is from an early 50's Cadillac as I suggested I am sure that it wont be that weak...

 

The FIRST post said 1950 Ford as did several more

 

Thanks for sharing your bad luck. Seems like I might pass it on down the road to someone doing a stock restoration or looking to replace theirs. I'm not sure about the 8 or 9 inchers though, as I'm trying to adhere to a fairly strict 1957 cut off for my build. Thanks for the suggestions and opinions nonetheless!