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

56 Fairlane Club Sedan

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

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

If its the origional rear end it will be a 3.22 ratio  Carl  Ohio

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.

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

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

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. 

56 Fairlane Club Sedan

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.

You would have to EMAIL or call them to find out. I've never seen a inch equivalent for the 49-56 rears. Chuck

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

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. 

56 Fairlane Club Sedan

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.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"