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By yoshi650 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi everyone, new member and first post. I have a 56 Fairlane with the 292 and auto tranny. I can't find any information on what rearend is under it. I can find anything I want from 57 up but nothing before that. If anyone can help I'd really appreciate it. Thank you
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By MoonShadow - 15 Years Ago
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The rear end in your car, if its stock, was used from 1949 through 1956. It doesn't seem to have a slang designation like "9 inch" or "8 inch" etc. They didn't have a real good reputation for taking abuse but seemed to work fine for normal driving. I'm not sure of exact gear ratios but someone here will know them. They were around 3:20 normally and available in a 4:10(11) behind the 6 cylinder motors. I'm still running the stock one in mine with a 3:80 gear ratio. I found a posi unit for it on EBAY a few years ago. NOS! I didn't know they had them available. This one was aftermarket made by Detroit Gear and is similar to the 60's Mustang ratchet locks. I plan to use mine until it breaks and then go to a later 9". I also have a set of 4:10 gears that I will install soon. Should work fine with the AOD transmission. So thats the extent of my knowledge on them! I do know a mini spool will not fit into the carrier for locking the rear. They had a reputation for breaking axles as I recall. Hope this helps, Chuck in NH
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By carl - 15 Years Ago
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If its the origional rear end it will be a 3.22 ratio Carl Ohio
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By 314 - 15 Years Ago
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my 56 shop manual says 322 or 355.the 3.22 is gray and the 3.55 is red if theres any colour left on yours to see.most were 3.22.
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By Tom Compton - 15 Years Ago
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My 56 came w/ a standard tranny so the gear ratio difference (has a tag marked 3.73) is probably due to the tranny difference. TC
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By yoshi650 - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks guys, I really appreciate the information. I've found some info other places that said I should be good up to about 300hp as long as I'm not real rough with it, which works for me. I mainly want something to cruise in that looks and sounds good, and I do like the sound of the old Y-bocks.
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By Metal Ghost - 15 Years Ago
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Ok, this topic was EXTREMELY timely for me! I was just looking around West Coast Differential's site. They have various parts for the following rear axles. Do any of these describe what I should find in a stock '55 Fairlane?? - Ford 7.5"
- Ford 8"
- Ford 8.8"
- Ford 9"
- Ford 9.75"
- Ford 10.25"
- Ford 10.5"
I kinda' assume that the 9" and up wouldn't pertain to me, but what the heck.
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By MoonShadow - 15 Years Ago
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You would have to EMAIL or call them to find out. I've never seen a inch equivalent for the 49-56 rears. Chuck
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By yoshi650 - 15 Years Ago
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Hey everyone, I have another question. Should a stock 56 rear end have an inspection plate? Mine doesn't which is why I ask. I know the later 9 inch diffs didn't and I'm trying to figure out if someone has already swapped it. I've already found a 57 distributer on it and the rear bumper is not the factory one.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 15 Years Ago
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The rear cover plate was used on T-Bird, pickups, wagons, and police cars. It was the Dana 44 rear end. Your car would not have had it.
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