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1953 Rear end question?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Firecracker, Feb 24, 2010.

  1. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    I was wanting to change the gears out in the rear end on my 53 chevy. It has closed drive and it's a 3-speed. I was wanting to put some highway gears in the rear end and was wondering where I could find some and what I would have to do to change them out?
     
  2. 6inarow
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,360

    6inarow
    Member

    3.55 are the best you are going to get with that rear
     
  3. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    does anyone know what gears are in it now?
     
  4. 6inarow
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,360

    6inarow
    Member

    3.70 if nothing has been changed
     

  5. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    do you know where I could get some 3.55 gears?
     
  6. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    Also, If I just change the rear end out, what rear end would fit under it?
     
  7. 40hemicpe
    Joined: May 12, 2007
    Posts: 976

    40hemicpe
    Member
    from anaheim.ca

    i think patricks makes them but are like 450 for the ring and pinion.and theres another place in la that makes them also let me find the place and will post the phone number..
     
  8. 40hemicpe
    Joined: May 12, 2007
    Posts: 976

    40hemicpe
    Member
    from anaheim.ca

    camaro/firebird 55-57 chevy 54-56pontiac/olds monte carlo malibu.depends on witch rims you gonna run also..
     
  9. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,564

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Any '50-'54 Chevy rear from a Powerglide car would have 3.55s, and would bolt in your car.
     
  10. chevyshack
    Joined: Dec 28, 2008
    Posts: 950

    chevyshack
    Member

    Supposily 78-80 camaro/firebird rear ends fit right under with no modification except an extra hole needing drilled for mounting.
     
  11. 40hemicpe
    Joined: May 12, 2007
    Posts: 976

    40hemicpe
    Member
    from anaheim.ca

    my 49 has 77 camaro rearend with 3.55 .and i swapped springs rear eyes to the front and that centerd it.
     
  12. roddinron
    Joined: May 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,676

    roddinron
    Member

    How the hell did you guys join the rear ends to a torque tube?
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2010
  13. 40hemicpe
    Joined: May 12, 2007
    Posts: 976

    40hemicpe
    Member
    from anaheim.ca

    well he also asked what rear end will fit he really wasnt specific.:rolleyes:
     
  14. chevyshack
    Joined: Dec 28, 2008
    Posts: 950

    chevyshack
    Member

    If he swapped rearends he might as well ditch the torque tube.
     
  15. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    If i'm gonna go through the trouble of chaging the rear end to something other than an automatic 50-54 rear then I would get rid of the torque tube. I know where I can get a rear end from a 53 chevy that's automatic, so I might try that.
     
  16. 40hemicpe
    Joined: May 12, 2007
    Posts: 976

    40hemicpe
    Member
    from anaheim.ca

    all 50-54 with powerglides/autos are 3:55 gears.
     
  17. roddinron
    Joined: May 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,676

    roddinron
    Member

    Which means ditch the transmission and engine too! He wants to change gearing not the complete drive train.
     
  18. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    I was kind of thinking about changing the complete drive train. I know that I've heard people say that a small block will blot up to the original motor mounts, but I've never done that. Will that work, and if so would another 3 speed and small block blot to the motor and tranny mounts? Might be a dumb question, I dont know.
     
  19. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    A small block won't bolt to the six mounts. There are kits that work, or you can build some. Find a SBC with a T5 and make it fit. The trans mount will require some building, too. A Camaro rear is a good fit.
    The Powerglide rear with 3.55's will help the cruising speed a bit. Where you go 35.5 mph now, you will go 37 at those revs. Not much diff. The older cars with 4.11's benefit more from the 'Glide gears.
     
  20. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    Cool man, thanks
     
  21. sixinarowjoe
    Joined: Aug 10, 2002
    Posts: 337

    sixinarowjoe
    Member
    from eastcoast

    find a powerglide rear from a 50-54 chevy the #'s on the ring gear will be 39-11 ,all you need is the tube,centersection swap it out with yours ,you already have the good brakes , i just did this swap on my 51 coupe if you dont see the car that it came out of always check the #'s you dont want to swap in the 411's from the 49-52 stick cars just because some one said it was a pg car --joe
     
  22. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    What kind of a difference did it make with yours as far as speed, not acceleration, but speed traveling down the highway?
     
  23. sixinarowjoe
    Joined: Aug 10, 2002
    Posts: 337

    sixinarowjoe
    Member
    from eastcoast

    my car had the 4-11's and was not fun on the highway ,but once i put in the powerglide gears i had no problems .It runs great im able to cruise along at 55-60 no prob and the engine isnt screaming a definete difference
     
  24. Firecracker
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 239

    Firecracker
    Member

    Thats cool. Mine will cruise along about 60-65, but ice never really push it to see what it can do. Around 65 it starts sounding like my car is gonna break apart.
     
  25. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    Most '53 standard cars had 3.70 gears, but I had one with 4.11's. Special order, maybe, or early production, I dunno. Yours could be either. Hard to figure ratios with the closed drive. Easiest way is to remove the back cover and look for the numbers on the ring gear. I have done it by turning the engine two turns by hand with the trans in High gear and counting the turns on a jacked up wheel, but that requires another person. If you are careful, you can turn the engine with a remote starter button, start with the timing marks in the bell lined up and go two turns, or put a chalk mark on the front pulley.
     
  26. mart3406
    Joined: May 31, 2009
    Posts: 3,055

    mart3406
    Member
    from Canada

    If you plan to keep the stock 6 in it, and just want a higher rear gear ratio, rather than converting to a different rear end and open driveline, you might be better just to look for a 3-spd. w/overdive tranny. You could probably combine the factory O.D tranny with a set of 3.55 Power-Glide gears too. Generally, the factory 3 spd w/O.D cars used 4.11, gears, the standard 3 spds cars got 3.70 gears and the Power Glide cars came with 3.55s.

    Mart3406
    ===========================
     
  27. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,564

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Chevy never had a torque tube overdrive; they didn't offer overdrive until 1955.
     
  28. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    You may just want to go to a much "taller" tire. Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  29. mart3406
    Joined: May 31, 2009
    Posts: 3,055

    mart3406
    Member
    from Canada

    -----------------------------------
    Sorry. My bad! I know pre-55 Chevy pick-ups had an available 3-spd.OD tranny - and I (erroneously) just assumed that Chevy offered a similar set-up for the pre-55 passenger cars too.

    Mart3406
    ==============================
     
  30. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    stock motor and a t5 swap makes it so much easier to drive. Really increases the fun factor.
     

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