Thread: Rear end ID

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Does the center chunk come out from the front? Or does it have a rear cover to access the gears? Start with the wheel bolt pattern. I assume it's a 5-bolt pattern. If the chunk (hog's head; 3rd member; whichever you are accustomed to calling it) comes out the front and it has a 4 3/4" wheel bolt circle, it is a '55 to '64 Chevy rear. If the chunk comes out the front and it has a 4 1/2" wheel bolt circle, it could be either a Ford or Chrysler. If the chunk comes out the front and it has a 5" bolt pattern, it could be early Olds or Pontiac or 9" Ford. If it has a rear cover and 5" pattern, it could be Ford or GM; 4 3/4" pattern, it's intermediate or metric GM, 4 1/2" bolt pattern, it could be Ford or Chrysler. This is the tip of the iceberg; there are infinite possibilities. Post a pic; that will help...

One last thing - in the early 80's, the '55 - '57 Chevy and '67 & up Camaro rear ends were popular swaps because they had leaf-spring pads on them and were almost a bolt-in swap.

Meangreen,

Problem solved! I cannot thank you enough. Your last comment about back in 80's...... I did the search for brake shoes for a 55-57 chevy and Bingo! There they were, 11"x 1.75". Wheel cylinders match up as well. And the 3rd member comes out the front, no rear plate.

A little more about the car. It was my daughter in law father's car. He was killed by a drunk driver when she was 4 years old, in 1982. Her mother put the car in storage and it was never touched until last summer, 27 years later. Needless to say, we have our hands full but sure are having a kick getting it back on the road.

Thanks, again. This is my 1st post but won't be my last.

Regards,

Mike W

55-57 Chevy rear is a pretty good fit in there.........had a couple in cars myself. Not the strongest rear in the world, but not the weakest either. You figure, they used the same rear until 64 and there were a lot of 327's and even 409's doing their best to break em. Ratios are pretty plentiful also..........I even had one car with the same rear with 5:13's in it.

For a street rod these were the hot setup until 8 and 9 inch Fords made the scene.


Don