50Ford Rear end with a 302/C4 tranny.What ratio to use

[FiftyFordGuy]

Folks;,I installed a 302 with a C4 Tranny. What rear end ratio would be the best running for my 1950? Anyone using this combo in their 1950? Help please!

[40cpe]

I put the same in a '40. I used a 2.79:1 9" rear. It would run 70-75 all day long with respectable mileage. If you are going to be driving mostly stop and go, somewhere between a 3.00:1 and 3.50:1 would work.

[TJ]

If you have a '50 passenger car you need to use the early Mustang(64-66) or a Maverick. They are the narrowest rear end and fit into the '50 perfectly. You will probably find that you will not have to move the spring pads. I would use a ratio of 3.00 to 3.25

[51504bat]

Back in HS I had a '65 Falcon 2 dr. wagon with a 289 and a C4. It had a 2.80 rear end with 14 inch wheels. Didn't have a tach but cruised at 65-70 all the way the time on the freeway.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

Back in HS I had a '65 Falcon 2 dr. wagon with a 289 and a C4. It had a 2.80 rear end with 14 inch wheels. Didn't have a tach but cruised at 65-70 all the way the time on the freeway.

Sounds like the setup I have in the '65 Falcon Sprint I currently own. I do have a tach in mine, and @ 65-70 mph it is turning around 2800 rpm's. I am fine w/that. Like others suggested, get yourself a 8 or 9 inch rear in that. Keep in mind, that stock 50 rear was not designed for for even a stock 200 hp. 289 V8. Depending on how you drive, it might not hold up long! JHMO. - F F

[fordor41]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I used a 302 2 brl w/ 2.75 or so, in our '41 ford. had 31" tires in rear and would cruise all day long at 75-80. on a trip to Florida we got 23.5 MPG. everyone would beat us off the line but we beat the hell out of them passing gas stations!

[Lanny]

Also, the '75-'80 Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch rear ends are
available in both 8" and 9", and bolt in nicely. Should be plenty of
those in the salvage yards...



.

[Gene1949]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Also, the '75-'80 Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch rear ends are
available in both 8" and 9", and bolt in nicely. Should be plenty of
those in the salvage yards...



.

X2. After a couple of broken axels in the stock '49 rear I went with a '78 Granada 8". 2.79 ratio behind my '65 Mustang T-10. Great highway/cruzing gear. Had to buy a combination rear u-joint and a different hydraulic fitting. Every thing else fit including the e-brake cables.
The 8" (pumpkin) came in Falcon, Comet, Fairlane, Mustang, Cougar, Torino, Maverick, Granada, and Monarch.
Factory ratios are 2.79, 3.00, 3.25, 3.40, 3.55, and 3.80.