Model A and early 32 spider gears

[hb32]

In the process of replacing ring and pinion in an early 1932 diff. Spider gears each have one tooth that is deeply pitted with the rest perfect. From my research, gears are the same as the Model A, with a part number of A-4215. I have found some that are listed as B-4215 and wondering are they the same?

[Jim Brierley]

Should be, everything else inside them is the same. Keep in mind that the only time those gears are turning is when you are turning or going around a corner, so their condition is not critical.

[hb32]

Thanks Jim and what I have read regarding condition indicates the same.

[Tom Endy]

Sometime in 1931 Ford started drilling oil holes in the three spider gears. The earlier ones did not have the holes. I don't know what the purpose was, they may have inspected some rear axle assemblies from junk yards and found some spider yoke shafts galled and thought it needed better oiling. I have also seen that, but I believe it was caused by the banjo running out of oil. All are interchangeable.

Tom Endy

[hb32]

Read that as well Tom.
So I am wondering if the B-4215 is the same spider as A-4215 but for the 1932 early diff ?

[Bob C]

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The 1932 parts book shows B-4215 was A-4215.

Bob

[hb32]

Thanks for that Bob.

[redmodelt]

Ford Model T spider gears (but no lube hole) are the same too after the very early ones.

[Charlie Stephens]

Probably the one of the dumbest thing Ford ever did (sorry Henry) was to use all new part numbers for the 1932 vehicles even through some of them were identical to the Model A parts. Hindsight is wonderful. This might have made sense when they went from the Model T to the Model A since almost none of the parts interchanged. Can you imagine the unnecessary costs of writing the new part numbers on the boxes in Ford dealerships around the world? This is the last time Ford went to all new part numbers when releasing a new model, thus the parts that carried over after 1932 still retained the 1932 part numbers. The Green Bible shows the B 4215 Spyder Gear is used 1928 through 1932 so you should be able to use its without any problems. Ford apparently considered the adding of the holes to be minor and not requiring a new part number but given the choice I would use the one with the holes.

Charlie Stephens

[hb32]

Regarding the spider gears, I have located some NOS but they are not finished or for lack of better definition, are not shiny like the ones that I am taking out. They look to be rough requiring machining, does this make sense?

[john charlton]

Replace spider gears in sets do not mix and match if you do the least worn one will take all the load and on one axle gear tooth .

John in overcast cool evening Suffolk County England .

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Originally Posted by hb32

Regarding the spider gears, I have located some NOS but they are not finished or for lack of better definition, are not shiny like the ones that I am taking out. They look to be rough requiring machining, does this make sense?

Ya, the gears look like that when new ,there are broaching marks on the gear teeth , the machining process. The NOS gears I put in my rebuilt diff looked just like yours when I put them in. Had the extra holes in them.

[hb32]

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

Ya, the gears look like that when new ,there are broaching marks on the gear teeth , the machining process. The NOS gears I put in my rebuilt diff looked just like yours when I put them in. Had the extra holes in them.

Ok and was not sure. I sourced 4 nos gears, only need 3 for the early diff.
P/n is B-4215 as in my first post.

[d.j. moordigian]

There are 2 different 1932 rear ends...
The flange were the torque tube bolts to,..the "round one" is an A, the other has the
"clover leaf" design and I don't know if the parts are interchangeable....look in the
parts book..! Maybe Tom Endy would know..?

[hb32]

I am aware of the 2 types, early and late. Early was a carryover from the Model A and has 3 spider gears, late has the scalloped torque tube mounting flange and has 4 gears.
The NOS gears I have are B-4215 and consist of 4 so I suspect are 1932.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

Sometime in 1931 Ford started drilling oil holes in the three spider gears. The earlier ones did not have the holes. I don't know what the purpose was, they may have inspected some rear axle assemblies from junk yards and found some spider yoke shafts galled and thought it needed better oiling. I have also seen that, but I believe it was caused by the banjo running out of oil. All are interchangeable.

Tom Endy

Like Tom I have built many rear ends, over 150 and a small handful of 32's.

It is the same and all should be interchangeable. If you have the spider gears with the hole drilled it is certainly my first choice from a longevity lubrication standpoint.

Larry Shepard

[hb32]

Nothing like NOS and got a bargain at $20 in Canuck bucks for all 4 with the box.
Pic makes them look different sizes but they are all the same.
Only need 3 as I have an early 3 spider diff.