So I’m trying to work on my 44 1/2 ton rear and having issues with the new 3.55 ring gear bolt pattern. Seems like it is drilled slightly smaller in the circumference to bolt to the carrier. I’m gonna call tomorrow to see if the vendor had any issues like this before. But in looking things over my axle housing is stamped 1809680. Now this is a Canadian truck and I can not find any info anywhere on that number nor can I find a date code. Where should that be?
These are links for US built trucks but might help get you in the ball park.
1942 - 1947 Chevrolet Shop Manual Unit Serial Number Locations 3rd pic down from the top, right side of page. You would think US or Canadian built axle numbers were in the same location.
1942 Chevrolet Specifications for Passenger Cars & Trucks Unit Serial Numbers
Hmm I’ve looked the rear over so much if it’s in that area it’s gotta be real faint. The numbers I did find were near the bottom drivers side and very obvious so I woulda figured date code would be close to it. I’ll look at the area the manual suggested again tomorrow and see.
I got them from the filling station and they are advertised as 40-53 1/2 ton. I asked if any mods were needed and told no. The bolt holes are off only a small amount but it might as well be a mile.
You might need to return this set as you have a Canadian truck. This set from Chevs of the 40s says that it WILL NOT FIT Canadian spec’d trucks. Double check the Filling Station’s. I researched this and decided to leave the 3.55 and find a 3.90 from a early 60s 1/2 ton and install a T5.
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
Interesting, somehow I didn’t see that when I was looking into this swap. The numbers off the spool that the ring gear bolts to are in my Canadian parts book and shows it fits in the right year range. I’ll be darned if Canada had a slightly different bolt pattern! I was looking into finding a 3652336 the other day as that is what’s listed in the US book but thought nah they wouldn’t do that. But I should have known and guess the next step is try to find the 3652336 spool and see if that fits in the axle assembly.
The Canadian trucks have a different carrier . I have seen a post showing a carrier that can be machined with the holes drilled .the holes drilled will make the ring gear fit if you search for the post it showed pictures and does not seem to difficult for a machinist to do so I don’t think it would cost a lot . My truck is a 54 and I don’t know if the older ones are different .
Yes the carrier is different but I just figured the bolt pattern spread would be the same. I have a correct carrier coming to me and will see if that works in the axle assembly and everything jives. Funny Today I just thought about a machinist around the corner from me that does some crazy stuff with his equipment and will bring the Canadian carrier to him to redrill if the new one doesn’t work.
Ok since I couldn’t really find much follow up info on this swap with a Canadian truck I figured I would share my experience for anyone else looking to do this. I got a 3652336 carrier that the new 3.55 gear will bolt to but the carrier will not work in the Canadian housing as most all measurements are off. I took a gamble and figured I had a 50/50 if it working. So I will be bringing the new ring gear and Canadian carrier to my machinist to see if he can drill the ring gear to fit.
I have been looking but could not find the info ,but maybe someone else could find the post.The post I seen showed the carrier drilled to fit the ring gear it was only off a touch ,and the shoulder did not have to be drilled just the holes enlarged on the carrier.This was for a 47-54 Chev Canadian truck that was being fitted for the 355 gears. Also the post showed pictures and looked fairly easy to do for a machinist.
