Anyone know what rear axle type is in a stock 56 Ford sedan?
Model/make, etc
Thanks
Jim

The 49 to 56 rear end never earned a nickname. It's somewhere between and 8" and a 9". It does not have a good reputation. The early Mustang some other 9" rears will literally bolt in its place. Check this site for information: http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm .Of course some drive shaft work will probably be required. If you are not modifying the engine it will probably hold up its the hot rodding that breaks them. Several years ago I ran across a Detroit Gear posi traction unit for mine. Never saw one before or since. Sort of rare I guess. They work like the 60's Mustang ratchet lock. I plan to run it until it breaks and have a Cougar 9" waiting in the wings.


Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Thanks Moon
I wonder if there is any info available that might show different models of the 9" axle that will really BOLT-IN without mods?
I know that they are very popular, but maybe totally unneccesary for my application (282 w/auto)?

The 57-58 9 inchers will "bolt-in" on a 52-56 Ford but driveshaft mods will be required (length, u-joint).  59 are the same length but I am not sure if the spring spacing is the same as 57-58,  Overall length is the same as 52-56 Fords

I put a 57  9 inch inch my 54 Ford and it was a bolt in.  Brake cables worked too.

I checked out a 65/66 Mustang (8 inch) and it was the same deal as I remember


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

I just finished swapping a 57 wagon rear into our 56 Ranch Wagon. Yes, they are a direct bolt-in as the dimensions between backing plates and spring perch centering holes are the same, but there are some other differences. The spring perch pads on my 56 rear had a 1&1/8" hole and use a rubber pad and metal retainer to center the rear on top of the leaf spring. The 57 rear just has the 1/2" hole in the perches for the leaf spring center pin to go into. So, you either need to not use the rubber pad and retainer or open up the hole in the spring perch to use the rubber pads and retainer like the stock 56 rear has. Also, the axle tube on the 56 rear is a smaller diameter than the 57 9" axle tube so the 56 U bolts will not fit over the axle housing. Using a wider diameter U bolt with the stock 56 spring plate will require that you open up the holes in the plate so the U bolts will fit through. Finally, for now I have kept the 56 driveshaft. I did some careful measuring and I have 3" of the slip yoke on the output shaft of the Fordomatic. I think this should be enough, but the driveshaft would look better if it was another 2" longer.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

If I remember right, all axles are the same '49 thru' '56.  Bearings are probably the same also.  You don't need new axles, used are fine but replacing the bearings and bearing retainers should be done before driving too far, old bearings can be dried out and fail, I had it happen.  Replacing them is not easy, requires a torch to cut off the old, a press to press on the new.
82warren

As others have posted,most 56s came with a rear end unique to early and mid-50s Fords.However,all police,taxi and 312 cars came with a Dana 44.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

IIRC, station wagons did also. Might be a difference in perch height.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Not to widely known or usually considered but the 9" Ford has a terrible pinion angle to the ring gear costing HP. Most don't care or use them for their strength. Not sure on the pinion placement but I would look at the 8" Ford also. Back the day the Olds/Pontiac was the rear of choice Even tho the Ford 9 came out at the same time. The angle on those are much better. Some of the newer "oriental" pickup rears are better yet it there would be "some assembly required" . Good Luck

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

You're right miker.I forgot about the wagons.They all came with the Dana 44 also.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO