My 56 Fairlane had a 9 3/8" rear end in it and it was 28 spline with 5 3/4" bolt pattern. i was told it came out of a 77 LTD, which makes sense since the front clip was 77 LTD
Before the 9" and the horse power wars, the Olds was a respectable rear end, then along came torque and all that was undone.
On a 8" you can take all the nuts off to pull the pig out with a socket on a 9" you CAN'T. Jim NO, he got that right
that looks like a 50's chevy pickup frame. if its a 55 first series, it could be stock on second look though it looks like it's five lug, It looks just like a 55 chevy car axle
This is the thread from when I ended up with a weird rear end. It looks like the same to me. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=403112
not quite true, they just quit making them, and went with a corporate rear end. They ran the 57-64 rear ends in fuel cars, as late as the 70's. stock to stock, they are at least as strong as a 9 inch, just no parts availability.
I thought lincoln quit using the Dana 53 at the end of 1962. The only thing I have seen the 9 3/8 used in was a lincoln, But a 9 inch third member will bolt right up to the same houseing no problem. Pretty sure all 9 3/8 were 31 spline as well?
The ford 9 3/8 Rears came in some 1966 - 70 Fords, Merc, and Lincoln. They were all 31 splice axle. Gear ratios were 2:80, 3:00, 3:25 and 3:50. The house was the same as the 9 inches and only difference was the the mounting flange was notched out right of center on both the top and bottom so that the rear would clear the housing. 9 inch will slip right in a 9 3/8 housing . but you would need to notch the 9 inch housing for the 9 3/8 center. The housing set on end is a 9 inch. The other one the horses is the 9 3/8 housing.
Judging by the bolts attaching the 3rd member (instead of studs with nuts), the flat pinion yoke and the way the e-brake cables attach to the backing plates, Id say you have one of the smaller pre '57 Olds rear ends. Looks just like the one I have laying in my yard.
Not early olds, the big rib on the left side would indicate later olds perhaps 57-59 or so. don't remember the exact years there.
It would help to know the diameter of the bolt circle. '57-'64 Olds is 13" dbc, whereas the earlier rears are smaller. I can post the diameter later unless someone beats me to it.
My early Olds (pre '57) has the big rib, my '57-'64 has a smaller rib on the left side. Well I blew that one...the pumpkin bolt circle on a '57-'64 Olds is 11". As far as I could see thru the weeds, the pre '57 Olds rear bolt circle is between 9" and 10".