Your rear axle is a 7 to 32 ratio which equates
to a 4:57 rear.
The ( 18 ) toothed gear you saw was a differential
side gear & it has ( 18 ) teeth.
I have a eaton rear axle in my 1954
Chev 3600 the same as yours, I do believe.
The pinion gear has ( 7 ) teeth.
Photos @ photobucket
Pinion Gear
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/...ar%20axle/PinionGearNOSx_zps316f0529.jpg(18) tooth - Differential side gears
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/SideGearsNOS_zps5e488d23.jpg4:57 Ring Gear
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/RingGear2_zps6dd10b3b.jpgRing & pinion
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/RingandPinion4_zpsc517c2d7.jpgI've collected every single part inside the
rear axle housing - GM NOS
If you need any photos of any part
in the rear axle...I can supply them
to you.
George
in
New Jersey