The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear end - can anyone advise what I'm working with?

I'm trying to re-do and upgrade the brakes on my '50 1300. It's had lot's of PO's and lot's of different upgrades. I'm trying to put new brake shoes all around. The front wheels are still original so no problem there. The rear axle is the question. The driveline is open - been changed at some previous era. It's a 10 bolt - the bolts face forward. Cast into the "pumkin" are GM37258-99. The ratio of this axle also has me baffled - I rotate the drive shaft once and the wheel turns about .6 of a revolution. Turn the drive shaft 5 complete revs and the wheel turns 3 times - I calculate that to be a 1.67:1. Can that be right?? can anyone tell me what type / year this rear axle might be so that I can order brake shoes?
One more thing - that might help identify - I'm pretty sure it's too narrow as the rear tires occasionally grind on the box when I hit a bump.

If you lock one wheel, the other will turn twice as fast. Multiply your figure times two and you get 3.34:1. The easiest way to do it is to spin one wheel twice and count the pinion rotation. 3.34 rotations for two wheel rotations gives you 3.34:1.

I am not sure if my numbers are the same as yours but I have the same question what is it from ?
Perhaps a later year truck ? 55-57?
I havall bolts in the front a vent hole in back up high and a drain.
any ideas?
Thanks,

Prarie Sailer,

Sounds like it might be a '55-'64 passenger car rear end. I had a '56 pass. rear end in my '49 and it was about 2" to narrow. The tires rubbed on corners until I put in 1" wheel spacers. Does it have 5-bolt or 6-bolt axles in it?

thanks everyone.

The axle in question is 5 bolt and I'd describe it just the way that In2Deep describes his (breather hole etc.) And after measuring it last night it is definitly 2.25 inches too narrow.

I had not thought of wheel spacers as I'd never heard of them. Can you advise if these are common items and where I might get a pair? - sounds a lot easier than getting a new rear end.

I have a rear axle with the same casting number of 3725899. There is another number just above the other. On my axle it is A297. After much searching, I emailed a company that specialized in 55-57 chevy cars. This person explained that the axle was from a 1957 car. The "A" stands for January. The "29" is for the 29th of the month. The "7" is for 1957. My axle has a 3.55 ratio. It is also a non-posi.

I also have noticed that the axle is narrower than the original. However, the spring perches appear to be in the correct location. This should allow for an easy bolt in.

Davestar1, thanks for the info about build dates and for confirming that this is an axle from a mid fifties chevy - will help me to get brake parts - but now that I've confirmed that this unit is too narrow I'm thinking that it would be smarter to invest in a more appropriate width unit. Guess it's time to re-new my relationship with my local auto parts re-cycler!

(I did investigate spacers to widen the wheel base and spacers are milled from billet materials and cost an arm and a leg - this supports installing the correct width axle.)

thanks to all for advice - I especially appreciate understanding how to calculate the ratio.

Prairie Sailer , There are two 1/2 ton in our local junk yard. It's only 2 hr drive from Airdrie to Black Diamond.

Prairie Sailer,
Howdy. I bought a 1951 1/2 T rolling chassis, which is in terrific shape, from a chap that is putting the body on a Blazer chassis or something. It has the original 16 inch wheels all around and what I believe to be a 4 speed (it's a floor shift). I have a Mustang II IFS and Firebird posi that I am going to install on the frame, so the running gear/transmission are yours for taking, if you're interested.
Cheers.

I'm not sure if you got your question answered as I believe you wanted to replace the rear shoes. Take a set of the rear shoes to the local Auto Zone guy - he can match up with his books. Also take a set of the old rear brake springs, clips and emergency brake rod to get new as they most likely were never replaced. Hope this helps.
T

Prairie Sailor,
Canadian Tire lists the "spacers", I like to think of them as adapters, in their specialty catalogue. There is also an outfit called "Correctrack" which makes various http://www.correctrack.com/ adapters. They do a lot for 1 Tons and motorhomes and their product is quite well respected. They are machined out of steel and have their own set of studs. You bolt them on and bolt your wheel to them.