The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 54 3800 rear end swap

i have a 1954 3800 with a bent rear axle tube. Found a late model 1949 3600 wondering if 3/4 rear end is interchangable and able to bolt right up.

i have a 1954 3800 with a bent axle tube. Found a late model 1949 3600 needing to know if a 3/4 ton rear end is interchangable and will bolt rite up.

I think the 3600 used an Eaton HO52 and the 3800 used an Eaton HO72.
The difference is at the outer ends. Larger backing plates and
brakes. As far as the mounting pads, someone else will have to
help you, my guess would be that they might be different.

Best I can offer is that the spring pads on my '50 3600
are 41.75" on center.

dg

OK thanks thats a lot of help gives me some things to look at.

it will bolt in, but as mentioned brakes are different

Ok thanks.. So would I be able to strip my rearend and use that hardware or just use the 3/4 ton setup instead. Found the complete with springs 3/4 rearend for only $200. My first Chevy so I'm alil lost with some stuff.

As I said, I can't say for sure but if the spring perches are
the same spacing as Grigg seems to indicate then it might be
possible to use your 3800 backing plates on the housing. In the
interest of interchangeability the HO52 & 72 housing may be the
same, that is the flange might be the same.

DG

Thanks again I appreciate all the advice

or you could have the axle tube straightened.

I cant confirm for sure but my knowledge on '49 parts interchange is that rears in 49 from 3600-3900 were interchangeable. I dont have the '54 specs off hand but it should be the same.

It looks like the 1949 3800 and 1954 3800 housings are different.
Maybe someone knows what parts might be interchangeable?

I would think that the rears whole would be swap-able between ea52 and 72. Have you confirmed the identity of both axels?