The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop car rear in my 57 ?

guys,
in my 57 i currently am running a 1980 1/2 ton rear with 5x5 lug pattern. the overall width is 65 inches. that, and the lug pattern has limited me in my wheel width and selection. most of the wheels i like are for 5x4.750 bolt patterns out of a car.

so my question is, what style rear housings are you guys running ? camaro, chevelle, etc ?

i am doing my homework and have a line on a rear form a 70 chevelle that is 62 inches wide, gaining me 1.5 inches on each side, allowing me to use a deeper dish wheel of my choice.

i want to stick with the leaf spring setup.

just curious what you guys are running ?

thanks much.

leonard

How ya doing there Leonard. I used to run a Firebird posi in my ol' '59 and you might check Nova's also. For that matter a tri-5 passenger car would work too. What kind of gearing are you looking for?

hey waldo...
im looking to keep the ratio around what i have now, 2.80.
i think i will keep my search for a firebird/camaro housing, or even an s-10. i found an s-10 housing also, but the ratio is 3.42.
right now, with my th-350 trans, at 65mph i am at 2200 rpm's, and am afraid the 4.42 ratio will get my rpm's up too much.

thanks for the help.

leonard

called american racing wheels directly and found out they will make a rear set of torque thrust II's with the grey painted centers, with my lug pattern and backspace needed, 15x7, 5x5 with 4.5 backspace. standard price of $225.00 each and takes 4-8 weeks to receive. SO, i think i will keep the 1/2 ton 1980 truck rear i have, and just lower it to where i want, then order the wheels when i get the cash. at least that is the plan for now.

leonard

I have just finished a similar rear end swap. I used a 3rd Camaro (1985 model) with a 3.08. It fits great, but you have to cut off all the coil spring mounts and weld in a new spring perch.

Hugh

thanks for that info hugh... got any pics ?

leonard

Beind the Chevy guy that I am, I hate their rear ends, at least under 3/4 ton. The axles ARE the bearing races, they are retained at the center by c-clips instead of pressed bearings at the ends, and gears are difficult to set up or change. BOP rears fixed the c-clip problem, but the gears still have to be hammered into the case.

Devin

yea, i always liked the ford pumpkins. use to have a hot street car, pinto with 351w, and when i would race it i would swap out the pumpkin that had lower gears.... 2 pumpkins are better than one. LOL.

leonard

Ratrodking,

Sorry to have taken so long for photos, been real busy. There are lots of small details that have to addressed in a rear end swap. On my truck, I had to get a conversion u joint because the Camaro rear and the truck had different sizes-not a problem if you go to the right parts store. Be sure and get all the u joint bolts and saddles from the junk yard. Also the camaro rear is "shorter" than the 55-your driveshaft will be about 1 inch too short. Here is a photo of the u joint.

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/44794/2833256660103767390S600x600Q85.jpg

Here is a photo after installation. I cut all the camaro brackets off with a 4 inch grinder and then ground all the welds smooth. You will need 2 inch spring perches to weld in place.

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/3373/2935156530103767390S600x600Q85.jpg

The camaro rear is smaller in diameter than the 55. I cut a section out of the 55 to make a shim so that the spring saddle would fit snug. You can see here.

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/15190/2202930790103767390S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/44080/2663583730103767390S600x600Q85.jpg

Remember that a later model rear will be metric. Get the lug bolts too. I was going to get a rebuild kit for the wheel cylinders. The parts guy said he could sell me new cylinders almost as cheap as the kit. Then he asks if I want metric or standard. I took the standard. Then you can use all the brake lines off your original rear ends and not have to replumb everything.

Just a few thoughts to help you along, good luck.

Hugh

My Wife's Dream Come True:
http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/46903/2040091290103767390S600x600Q85.jpg