Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
1948 rear axle ratios
|
|
st1963 |
08-22-2013 @ 12:42 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Aug 2013
|
Hi all, does anyone know how to tell what axle ratio the 46-48 passenger cars have? I read that 3:54 was standard in 46, but changed to 3:78 in 47 and 48. I haven't found any reference to data codes or vin codes that would help me identify which axle is in a particular car. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!
|
supereal |
08-22-2013 @ 1:59 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
To determine the rear end gear ratio, look at the bottom of the center rib of the "banjo" (center section). You may find a set of numbers that will tell you what you have. 37-9= 4:11. 34-9= 3:78. 39-11= 3:54. As far as I know, there was no "standard" ratio for '46-'48 vehicles. If you lived in hilly country, most likely 3:78 or 4:11 was ordered. In the flatlands, 3:54 was common. Light trucks often had 4:44 (40-9) or 4:55, if they were 60 hp (41-9). Some axles were not stamped, or the stamping is obscured by dirt and rust. Rear ends were sometime cobbled together with junkyard parts. If I could name a "standard", it would be 3:78, as it offers a good compromise between speed and power.
This message was edited by supereal on 8-22-13 @ 8:54 PM
|
st1963 |
08-22-2013 @ 2:20 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Aug 2013
|
Excellent information, and very helpful...I'll get out the de-greaser and start looking! Thanks again.
|
c-gor |
08-22-2013 @ 6:05 PM
|
|
|
New Member
Posts: 130
Joined: Oct 2009
|
A slight typo 3:78 = 9-34
|
supereal |
08-22-2013 @ 8:53 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Thanks for the correction. My old fingers and eyes, like the old gray mare, aren't what they used to be. That is why the 3:78 numbers were transposed and became 43 instead of he correct 34. Bob.
|