The '57 Ford wagon rear end will fit under a 55/56 but the brackets are about 1/2 inch too wide and although it can be forced to fit that's not a good idea. It's better to remove and reposition the brackets properly.

I'm not interested in real wiiiiiide wheels, I was just interested in 8's or even 7 inch wide wheels. I know there are issues like having to let the air out to get them on or off and I was just trying to see if anyone had come up with an idea for wider wheels that didn't involve cutting and tubbing.

To my knowledge Pertronix doesn't make a distributor that fits a Y, do they??????? I'm aware of the "kit" that goes in a dizzy but this was supposed to be an entire Pertronix distributor.

Thanks for the dimensions on a 55 car rear end and thanks to all who responded.

Y blocks rock!!!!!!!!! Trying to get two of them built.

Mike

The '57 Ford wagon rear end will fit under a 55/56 but the brackets are about 1/2 inch too wide and although it can be forced to fit that's not a good idea. It's better to remove and reposition the brackets properly.

I'm not interested in real wiiiiiide wheels, I was just interested in 8's or even 7 inch wide wheels. I know there are issues like having to let the air out to get them on or off and I was just trying to see if anyone had come up with an idea for wider wheels that didn't involve cutting and tubbing.

To my knowledge Pertronix doesn't make a distributor that fits a Y, do they??????? I'm aware of the "kit" that goes in a dizzy but this was supposed to be an entire Pertronix distributor.

Thanks for the dimensions on a 55 car rear end and thanks to all who responded.

Y blocks rock!!!!!!!!! Trying to get two of them built.

Mike

I have a 1958 9inch from a Ranchero and it measures approx 43 inch from the hole on top of the spring pad side to side. Pete

I heard the same thing. Took notice because I just bought a 60 Edsel 9" thinking it was the same as the 57/58. Also turned out it has 5 on 5.5 lug pattern. Oh well I'll keep trying. 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

I heard that they were the same width but the distance between the spring pads were different.. Don't know for sure.



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

FWIW, I heard someone at Columbus , maybe Ted E., say that you can put a 57 or 58 rear axle assembly in a 55-56, but starting in 59 they got wider.

Paul J. - '57 E Code

One thing to keep in mind is that you can put wider shoes on the 57 rear. Use brakes off a later (60's/70's) Tbird. You must use the backing plates and all the other hardware, including drums. This does not increase the overall width as the backing plates have a deeper dish. I have these in my 54 with a 57 9 inch.

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

Hi Ron,

We don't want to hear anything about that Senile City stuff. Many of us have found that by squinting our eyes it's easier to see those numbers and marks on that measuring stick.

I recently invested in brighter fluorescent lights in my work area, too. I think I'm seeing more now!

SALUTE! on the progress on your project!

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Hey guys; After reading the other posts I went out and re-measured the 1957 Ford 9" rear I'm working on. I need to apologize for the misinformation I posted earlier. I must getting ready for residency in "Senile City" The backing plate to backing plate measurement is 50&1/2" and axle flange to axle flange is 57&1/4" (as Paul stated). This 57 rear has a WAB center section with a 3.56 gear ratio. This is the rear I'll be using in my 37 Ford coupe. Again, sorry for the bad info.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Probably more important is the wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface which is 57 1/4 for 52 to 59 Fords.

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