Technical Need some guidance on a 32 rear

Hey guys, I’m in a position to pick up a car that’s a heavy hitter for me. It’s a super clean, very nice 32 5w that’s been a hot rod since the 50’s.
Needless to say I’m super stoked!

That said it’s got a stock 32 rear with 4.11’s in it and a 3spd trans...

I’ve been told there’s no 3.54’s for the 32/34 rears.
If that’s the case what do I need to do to swap the rear end Out with say a 40?

any guidance is greatly appreciated

 

The rear buggy spring for '32 is curved, where as the spring for a '40 is straight. The '40 spring or rear crossmember will need grinding for them to mate. Not sure about the torque tube inner change...

 

They do make 3.54 new rear gears for 32/33/34...Check some of the Early Ford parts stores....Early 32's take the same as Model A's late 32/34 take the same rear gear...

 

Vanpelts has 3.54 gears
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/rearend-partsprices-pg1.htm

32-4 car/truck, Now one has to determine if you have a early 32 or late 32 rear end...

 

Just my thoughts, early '32 rear axle less desirable, has a circular mating surface at torque tube/banjo joint. late '32 more desirable, has a scalloped mating surface at the torque tube/banjo joint. Please don't use a '37- '41 rear axle, the tract width is 1 7/8" wider than a stock '32 axle, doesn't sound like much difference but it looks like crap! I can spot them from a mile away.
Tom

 

Your going to be surprised how the original rearend will be even with the 411 gear. My coupe has a early rear with the 411s with a 39 trans does 65 mph but not much more. The real question should be the motor condition if she is fresh it will be fine. Can you do holeshots and dumping the clutch no not designed to do that. The early rear is more like a Model A ford where the driveshaft go thru the pinion gear. I have found 354 gears sets and bought one nos years ago from joblot. It’s still in the box as I didn’t need it and 32 is running strong.

 

Run larger diameter rear tires.

 

60mph.30tirediam,3.54gear=

60mph,3.54gear,30"tires=2417rpm 60mph,4.11gear,35"tires=2395rpm, so yes jimvet59 it would work. I believe you will agree it will take some really big tires. Greg

 

Yes it would but you don't have to go that big. Much cheaper than replacing the gears.

 

Yep larger tires 750x16 on the rear 600x16 on the front with a 4:11 screw =60mph no problem

 

Thanks for the info guys, I’ve just got to take a look at it and see if it’s the early or late the banjo is. I appreciate the shared knowledge!!

 

Any pics for the fellas?

 

I recommend a 3:78 rear end. You can go 65/70 comfortably and still get off the line pretty quick.

 

Another easy way to tell the difference on early vs. late 32 rearends is to check where the radius rods mount to the axle housings. You can even do this from the backside of the car.

An early 32 rearend will have the radius rods bent right where they mount, so the axle brackets are perpendicular to the axle.

A late 32 rearend will have the radius rods straight, so the axle brackets will be at a 30-ish degree angle to the axle.

 

I have a line on 36 rear, it is a more desirable width for the car you are getting, we may be able to heat the wishbone ends to make them the appropriate angle to work with the factory 32 spring, instead of grinding it to fit the crossmember. We can put what ever gears you want in it, don't forget, the banjo from my 39 is also available to you Man!!!

 

You dont need to grind the crossmember just the spring for the later rear. A few notches in the spring so it slides into the original 32 crossmember. I shouldn’t take more then a hour total time for the spring. The drive shaft and torque tube will need to be cut if you have a early 32 rear ..