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Author
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Topic: 57 Ford rear ends
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 998
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 04-05-2006 02:33 PM
 
Last weekend I was looking through a salvage yard for some 70 Maverick fenders. While I was focused on my fender search I noticed quite a few 57 Fords in the yard. I always notice 57's because I spent a large part of my teen years in one.About halfway home it occured to me that I had not looked under any of the 57's to see if the rear ends were still there. Are all 57 rears 9 inchers. Next time I go there I will look under some of them but it may be awhile as it is 80 miles from my home. John
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 04-05-2006 02:42 PM
Yes, all 57 Fords had 9" rear ends. Even the 6 bangers. If you find one with overdrive, it will have 4.11's in it. 
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Blacksmith
Gearhead Posts: 604
From: Front Royal, Va., USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 04-05-2006 03:17 PM
And will thoose 57 Ford 9 " rears fit under a 65/66 without cutting & narrowing???If so, I sure could use one for my 66 GT350H clone (instead of the 73 Maverick 8").
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 04-05-2006 04:33 PM
I had one in my 62 Falcon 2dr wagon.  I forget the measurements but I recall it being the same width an early Mustang.
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-05-2006 05:16 PM
I`ve parted out 2 1959 Fords in the past year, which has the same 9" rearend as a 57 or 58. I sold both rearends, one went in a 64 Comet, the other in a 70 Maverick. Both guys said that they were pretty much a bolt in (I gave them the lower shock plates & U bolts with the rearends, with have bigger diameter axle tubes that the 8" and 6 3/4" rearends they were replacing).I think they may have needed to shorten the driveshafts, but I`m not positive.------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 04-05-2006 05:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Blacksmith:
And will thoose 57 Ford 9 " rears fit under a 65/66 without cutting & narrowing???If so, I sure could use one for my 66 GT350H clone (instead of the 73 Maverick 8").
On M&Ms front page, listed in the "Tech Articles", there is:
https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/FordRearDimensions.html I noticed that the flange-to-flange length is the same, but I didn't see where/if it listed spring perch-to-spring perch dimensions.... Hope that helps some,,,,,, Ryan
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sprcoop
Gearhead Posts: 780
From: Tucson, AZ usa
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 04-05-2006 06:32 PM
I seem to remember that my 9" rear end is a 57'. The spring perches had been boxed by the time I got it but it does not look like they were moved. I did have to have my stock axles shortened by 1/2" or so. It was a long time ago.
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 04-05-2006 06:36 PM
Buy them all John if you can.
See what they want for them and let me know.
------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 998
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 04-05-2006 08:32 PM
I will call them tomorrow but they don't always answer the phone. I will ask for the price of one and get a number of units. There were a lot of 57, 58, and 59 Fords in there.I should also mention that one of the 57's was a retractable. I didn't look close, it looked real rough. It would be a major project but some people really like these. John [This message has been edited by JCQuinn@work (edited 04-05-2006).]
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6376
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 04-06-2006 01:52 AM
Where in heck do you find a wrecking yard like THAT? Around here "old Ford" means early 80's crap.Be sure to get the drums as those small bearing 57-59 10" drums are unique.
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boss9
Journeyman Posts: 70
From: Akron, Ohio
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 04-06-2006 03:39 AM
I know a few Maverick owners that swapped their 8" for 57/59 9" rears. If I understood correctly they bolt right in. I did a little research and thought they were about an inch narrower than the Mavericks. Changes the wheel backspacing but it's a 9" and all good things involve some kind of compromise.
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Blacksmith
Gearhead Posts: 604
From: Front Royal, Va., USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 04-06-2006 07:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Ryan Wilke:
I noticed that the flange-to-flange length is the same, but I didn't see where/if it listed spring perch-to-spring perch dimensions.... Hope that helps some,,,,,, Ryan
Thanks Ryan,
Spring perches should be fairly easy to cut off & move or re-fabricate & weld back on I would think.John, if they don't want an arm & a leg for them, put me down for one, Drums & all. Shipping would be to zip 22630.
Thanks,
Joe
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-06-2006 07:07 AM
The 57-59 rear end is a direct bolt-in for a 65-66 mustang. Width and spring perch spacing are interchangable. Only thing, they have 3" tubes all the way across. The 65-66 8" tubes are narrowed down where they bolt to the mounting plates. All that needs done for installation is buy some 3" u-bolts and re-drill the mounting plates.As for brakes... They use the same small flange as mustang, so the stock mustang brakes bolt right on. They also have WEAK spring perches that MUST be boxed, or they will fold over. No exceptions. Been there, done that.... a couple times. Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 998
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 04-06-2006 08:36 AM
I once put a 57 rear end in a 71 Pinto, it was a bolt in job.John
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Blacksmith
Gearhead Posts: 604
From: Front Royal, Va., USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 04-06-2006 08:41 AM
quote:
Originally posted by n2oMike:
The 57-59 rear end is a direct bolt-in for a 65-66 mustang. Width and spring perch spacing are interchangable. Only thing, they have 3" tubes all the way across.They also have WEAK spring perches that MUST be boxed, or they will fold over. No exceptions. Been there, done that.... a couple times. Good Luck!
EXCELLENT!!! Thanks for the info Mike.
I already have 1/2" U-bolts for 3" axle housing and can easily box in the spring perches in my blacksmith shop. John,
Definately let me know what they want for a rear end. I DO need to replace the 73 Maverick 8" before I swap the motor & tranny. THANKS A BUNCH!!!
Joe
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mtkawboy
Journeyman Posts: 54
From: Billings Mt
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 04-06-2006 12:00 PM
Make sure you buy some good axles. I had 17 left side axles for my street 427 FE 57 back in the mid 60's with a Lincoln locker {welded spider gears} because they made me buy a pair at the junk yard and it only broke rights. That was on state of the art Atlas Bucrons at the time, best thing made back then, about 4 inches wide. Ultimate sleeper, HD 3 speed OD on the column, no tach or gauges, 486 gears, blackwalls w/beenies. Big time 55-57 Chevy eater, thought it was a 312.
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-06-2006 01:54 PM
I have a 57-59 housing that I'm getting ready to install. It's the same width as the old 8" housing and so are the spring pads. I already boxed the pads.The stock 57-59 pads are not as wide as the mustangs. This housing even has a drain plug under too.
" I did have to have my stock axles shortened by 1/2" or so. It was a long time ago."
I was told that the axles fit right in?
I got some moser axles they seem just alittle longer then my stock axles.They have a lot more meat to them too. Also my stock brakes bolt right up too. ------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs HOOD HACKERS DELIGHT!
My Pics
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-06-2006 02:58 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fastymz:
[B]I have a 57-59 housing that I'm getting ready to install. It's the same width as the old 8" housing and so are the spring pads. I already boxed the pads.The stock 57-59 pads are not as wide as the mustangs. This housing even has a drain plug under too.Yes, Scoop, the spring pads do line right up, although the 57-59 Ford rearends do have narrower spring pads, as these cars only used a 2" wide leaf spring, where most later Fords had 2 1/2" wide springs. These rear ends also "bolt into" early A body Mopars and Chevy II`s, which all have the same spring pad spacing, 43"`s if I recall correctly. Onr thing to keep in mind, the 57-59 9`s do not have a filler plug in the housing, so be sure to use a center section with a filler plug! ------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-06-2006 03:36 PM
Thanks Rory,
Some one did a really bad job putting a fill hole in the housing. So my father inlaw and I welded it closed. It took most of the day. Because we didn't want to get it to hot all at once. It came out looking great. Yes the 3rd member I have has a fill hole in it.
Keep in mind the brake line/vent hole is in a different spot on the 57-59. A small bracket will fix that problem real fast.------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs HOOD HACKERS DELIGHT!
My Pics
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-06-2006 04:04 PM
One more thing...The axles that come in 57-59 housings are CRAP! Been there, broke that. BUT... The axles out of the 65-66 mustang 8" rear fit and work perfect. They are also MUCH stronger than the old 57-59 parts. Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220 [This message has been edited by n2oMike (edited 04-06-2006).]
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Blacksmith
Gearhead Posts: 604
From: Front Royal, Va., USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 04-10-2006 12:53 PM
Any more word on price & availability of those 57 9" rear ends?
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6376
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 04-11-2006 02:48 AM
Guys, keep in mind that 57 axles ARE crap and that they are shorter from the flange to the bearing for the shallower drums. This means that the housing itself is wider than the same width later rear ends, like early Mustang, early Bronco or Granada. If you change the axles for ones that use "normal" brakes you widen the rear end too. Mustang axles fit but not as deeply into the splines, the two piece side gear of a limited slip can strip the splines if it's not engaged far enough.
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Blacksmith
Gearhead Posts: 604
From: Front Royal, Va., USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 04-11-2006 06:29 AM
Then it sounds like I might be better off with an aftermarket (Currie, etc.) 9" rear for my 65 FB since I eventually plan on dropping in a Ford Racing crate motor & 4 speed.
Thanks for the info.
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 998
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 04-11-2006 07:06 PM
I asked for prices both for bare housings and complete rear ends along with a count of how many he has.The good news is he will ship them. The bad news is he works when he feels like it and I have not heard back from him. I may see him Saturday, if not I will call him again. John
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