The maverick 8 inch I have in my 55 is not centered making me think it was offset towards the pass side in the maverick now making it offset towards the drivers side in the 55,if I can get 3.00 gears in a original rear end I will put a original back in but thinking 3.30 gears was the best so anyone know if 3.00 gears were available in 55 or 56. I might have to find a 57 to 59 wagon 9 inch to fix this problem permanently and just put a spacer on one side for now.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

I've been this route, 3.22 are the was the highest gear available factory that fit the 49/56 rear end housing. By going to a 3.00 you are only gaining  about 4% not really worth the investment in time and money.
At 60 miles an hour you would drop your RPM less than 200 RPM. 1957 to 1959 Ford rear ends were 8 3/4 although a 9 inch (61 up) center section would bolt into them.
My 55 Crown vic came with a 3.30, the rear stared making a lot of noise but all I had handy at the time was a 3.78 rear so I put it in, because i do a lot of city driving most under 45 MPH I found the Crown drove better and shifted better so I left it, even on the highway I was only turning 2800 RPMs at 60 Mph.                                                                                                                            

I tend to go 75 to 80 on the highway with my 55 so I want the tallest gear I can get in it,right now it has a 351-W but was thinking about going with 2.75 gears when it gets the 292 so I doubt I could go back with a original rear end. I will be using a FMX trans when the 292 goes in so it should be able to handle the taller gears.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

A FMX is a Ford-O-Matic that starts in first gear, bands and clutches interchange.
80 mph w/3.22 = 3147 RPMs
80 mph w/2.75 = 2688 RPMs
The 2.75 are nice on the highway but under 45 mph trans would stay in second gear or shift up and down a lot.

I would like to keep it as close to 3.00 as possible and just what were the 3.22 gears available in,I would like to to be able to run the 292 as fast as I do with the 351.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

3.22 came in 1956 Ford V8 (272/292/312) cars (not station wagons) with Ford-O-Matic. You must use the 56 axles with the 56 rear unless you change the spider gears in the differential to 49/55 spider gears. 3.22 was a one year only rear gear. 3.30 were used 49 thru 55 .  

I am going to look for one in case the 8 inch is going to be too narrow with the steel rims that I have on it now,would you know the code that would be on the data plate.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

Don't want to hijack this thread but it's a similar question. Anyone know the lowest rear gear available in a 55 fairlane?
Rowen

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

Jeff  I don't have a 56 3.22 rear end but I have a friend who probably has one,just let me know if your are serious about putting one in the 55 and I will give you his number  Carl

Carl I will let you know after I see what is going on with the present rear end,for some reason its not centered in the car.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio