As I mentioned on another thread, I am in the parts gathering phase for a build. I want to use a 9 inch Ford rearend, which will need to be fairly narrow. Lo and behold, I came across an ad for a narrowed 9 inch housing, which was only 26 inches flange-to-flange. When I went to pick it up, I was told it takes the large Ford bearings. I then picked up a 9 inch Ford pumpkin. It wouldn’t fit! Started doing some search on the flange pattern, and found out it has Olds/Pontiac flanges. Dug through some Olds rearend threads here, and want to make sure that the housing really is Olds (one thread commented on the fact that you can weld different flanges onto a narrowed housing). I measured the bolt circle for the pumpkin, which is about 9.5 inches. Bolt spacing is uneven. Is there some way to be sure the housing is Olds, and not a Chevy housing with Olds flanges? I don’t have an Olds pumpkin readily available. Is there any markings on the housings that indicate the year? I thought that I had seen info that the 57-64 Olds used a different pumpkin than the 49-56. Is the bolt pattern different? Trying to figure out how to make the best of my mis-purchase.
buy a gasket, and see how it fits. Or post some pictures. Olds is round, 9 inch is oval. you could also just find a gasket for sale on the internet, and look at the picture, and see if it looks right?
49-56 are smaller but look very similar. I use the later in both race cars and been faked out looking at a 56 3rd member laying on the ground because the casting looks very much the same only smaller
Lots of drop out rear ends out there. Could be a Mopar 8 3/4, or a Ford 8", or a whole host of import housings. Gene
Looking at the front, the studs that are 11o'clock and 12o'clock are the two that are closest together. Your housing must have been notched for super large ring gear. View attachment 4222328
'48 / '52 Olds , typical early dragster . I have a magnesium M/T 3rd member for that if you're looking for one .
Any idea of approximate value? I really think I’m going with the 9 inch Ford, so I may be offering this for sale. But the nostalgia factor for this would be cool! Pete, check your messages.
Before you buy any more stuff, that is an Olds/Pont. housing with Olds/Pont. ends. They do take the 88128R (I believe correct #) again I think same as Ford. I also know that a Ford 9" chunk, pumpkin. pig. whatever you call it will fit in and work in that housing. Some grinding needs to be done and some stud relocation. And if you got the axles with that housing and they are 31 spline that might also work. The Wilko Bros. did this after having run the Olds/Pont. rear for years moved to the Ford but kept the housing because all the money they invested in it. Where are you located? Pat
For what it is worth and if it becomes a process of elimination, I can tell you I have a 1950 Cadillac diff and I've just been to check it out for you and I can confirm yours ain't a 1950 Cadillac diff. However, it is similar to look at from a distance, but the flange stud pattern is all wrong. Even looking at pic's of gaskets on eBay maybe of some help...
Got a gasket for a 57-64 Olds. This isn’t one of those. Maybe in the morning I can get pictures with this housing and the 9 inch pig. Doesn’t look like they could be adapted together.
There are 3 different sizes of Olds. 1937-1953 smallest. The 1954-56 are kind of an intermediate, and of course the biggest 57-64 which you have a gasket for. Looks like it's one of the other 2. Early dragsters mostly used the early small size. Mickey Thompson made aluminum and magnesium centers for those and they didn't make Posi's till 1957 a d dragsters didn't use a Posi anyway. My guess is the small. I've owned a few over the years but don't have any now
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