'56 Ford Rear End

[Good Wood]

Hi,
I've been on a quest recently to identify, and find parts for, the worn out rear in my '31 model A. I've been told by a few sources that it is definitely out of a '56 ford passenger car, and is specific to that year and model.
Here's what I know so far. It has 3.78 gear ratio, and the rear housing is round, not oval. I have 28 spline axles.
The carrier housing I.D. # is WAD-4205A
drive pinion " " " WAE-4610B, and has 10 splines
ring gear " " " WAE-4210B
It is not the more common 8" or 9" rear, but is an oddball 8" plus.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to find an alternative to spending several grand changing to a 9" rear. Thanks...........Woody

[Noswal]

Good Wood,

PM sent.

[deuce lover]

These R&P's (NOS)are often on EBAY.Prefix on part # B5A,B6A.I think '55 is the same as '56.

[paul2748]

As far as I know, 54 and 55 had the same rears.

[BERNIE G]

Originally Posted by Good Wood

Hi,
I've been on a quest recently to identify, and find parts for, the worn out rear in my '31 model A. I've been told by a few sources that it is definitely out of a '56 ford passenger car, and is specific to that year and model.
Here's what I know so far. It has 3.78 gear ratio, and the rear housing is round, not oval. I have 28 spline axles.
The carrier housing I.D. # is WAD-4205A
drive pinion " " " WAE-4610B, and has 10 splines
ring gear " " " WAE-4210B
It is not the more common 8" or 9" rear, but is an oddball 8" plus.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to find an alternative to spending several grand changing to a 9" rear. Thanks...........Woody

If it's the Pig type, and sounds like it is, 49 - 56 should be the same. I have run into an issue putting the later into a 54 Merc. Had to relieve the Housing a little to get the ring gear in. 3.78s, I tkink 3.36 ratio also, were usually from standard 3 spd ( non OD) cars.3.22s in most V8 auto trans. 4.10s in some OD cars.

[Motorhead6]

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Same form '49 thru '56 Ford and Mercury except station wagon and sedan delivery. Gear ratio availability is 4.11:1, 3.78:1, 3.55:1, 3.30:1 and 3.22:1(or maybe 3.25:1) that I know of. My experience is that the 3.22:1(3.25:1?) was in a '56 with 312 CID, and the 3.30:1 was behind 272/292 CID in '55 and '56 Ford and probably Mercs as well. There may be others. Not sure about 6 bangers or flatheads as far as ratio availability. There were 2 different spline counts probably something to do with HP and/or year models.

Parts are still readily available for these rear ends and they are durable and very reliable. Bearings, seals, brake shoes and wheel cylinders are available from O'Reilly's; drums may have to come from Dennis Carpenter or one of the other national old car suppliers.

I have one in a '55 Fairlane and a '51 Vicky and they work great. I recently bought a new 3.30:1 Ring and Pinion off of e-Bay. Bought all of the above stuff new from the local suppliers.

VR, Motorhead

[Motorhead6]

I should have pointed out that the 3.30:1 and 3.22:1 are behind A/Ts with the Y-Block. My bad.

VR, Motorhead