From my limited experience where the u-joint bolts on it is a 1955 or earlier. From what I'm told a 1956 has the type on the the third member that looks like the 8 or 9" of today. My 1956 has a 1955 third member as it has the drive end like the one in the photo and a 1956 u-joint would not work.. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

So DLR, are the '55 and the '56 drive shafts different.  The '55 uses a "mechanics"(I forget the number) rear u joint while the '56 would use  a 1310 joint or similar?  Can the rear yoke on the '55 rearend be swapped out for one from a '56 rear end if you wanted a drive shaft with 1310 u joints at each end? The reason I ask is I have to find a a drive shaft.
Thanks.


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Like I said, my experience is pretty limited with these. All I know is a bought a u-joint for a 1956 and it looked like a 1310 but it could not be used and I had to find one for a 1955 and earlier. I don't know on changing yokes without a new crush sleeve or if 56's fit. I'm looking to put an 8" out of a Ford Maverick or Merc Comet in mine...I understand it's a pretty swap...Good Luck..

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Hey Mark! The Canadian Chassis Parts Catalog lists a 3.70:1 as Part # B5A-4209-F.

  

All 56s,except wagons,police,couriers and 312 cars came with the same rear end as 55s and used the mechanics joint.The exceptions came with a Dana 44,with is a much stronger unit.The only difference in 55 and 56 is that 56s used slightly faster ratios.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

A simple way to check the ratio (if it is still a mystery of what it is or to verify the ratio) is to count the number of teeth on the ring gear and the  and pinion gear and divide the pinion no. into the ring no (assuming you haven't done this already)


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks Mark.  So it is a Canadian ratio.  I'll write that down.


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Thanks Paul (PWH42).


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Thanks Paul.  The ring gear count (37) and the Pinion count (10) = 3.70"1 is stamped into the ring gear.


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Thanks DLR.  From the research I have done the '57 -'59 ford 9" rears in the Fords, Rancheros and Station Wagons are the same width as the '55 '56 cars.  Also, I believe that the Dana 44's from the Thunderbirds and Station Wagons are the same width as well.  Also the '65 and '66 Mustangs have an 8" that is the same width. This would lead me to suspect that the myriad of 9" rear axles built for the early Mustang crowd could be candidates as well. The 8" rears in the 74-78 Mustangs are 1/4" narrower.  The 8" rears in the '69-'77 Mavericks were 3/4" narrower.  Whether or not the spring perches in any or all of these would have to be moved I don't know, but there are a lot of options.  I will worry about that if and when I grow weary of the stock axle.
Thanks again.


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia