The rear in that ruck is essentially the same as the '55-'62. red58 knows a gut with a '57 that has a 427 Big Block in it, and the rear is holding up just fine. Also, back in the '50s and '60s, is was not uncommon to find the '55-'62 rear diff under race cars, nascar stock cars and drag cars, 2 examples, the Chevrolet 210 Feul Injected Black Widow stock cars, and the SWC Swindler AA/GS drag car, which ran both a blown 480-ish Olds engine and later a blown Hemi.
I wouldn't worry about the strenth of the diff. The only real concern is the lack of availability of some internals, and there currently is no locking/posi type diff available for the housing. I know about that, I'v been looking myself. I do know of a company that has conversion axles that allow for use of later 30 spline 12 bolt spiders, Toms Differentials, but have not dealt with them myself.
Last edited by LONGBOX55; 03/29/2008 3:04 AM.
I've seen Ed pull the front wheels with that truck, can't imagine you'd need stronger
I knew it had a 427 and it was a Task Force era truck, so I wasn't too far off