Bell Auto Parts / PSI Tube Axles info?

I recently picked up what I believe to be a Bell Auto Parts tube axle...with the later style solid round ends. My brother found an early 70's ad that states PSI made an exact replica of the 2" drop Bell axle...either set up for Ford or Chevy spindles. The axle I have has Chevy spindles.

Any one have info on the 1970's PSI replicas? Can you tell them from an original Bell?

Thanks,

Neal

 

Neal email me i can send you photos and details. I have some originals.

 

Neal, you can call Antique Auto they are still in business on Rosemead in Pasadena. Gene Scott had the PSI axles manufactured I believe in LA. Andy Brizio also sold exact copies of the Bell Axle in the seventies. They were available in 2 and 4 inch versions. I think I have photos if you need them of an original Bell that came under my sedan.

 

Here's some pictures of the axle I picked up. It's the same width as a stock 32-36 axle with a 2" drop.







Any thoughts?

Neal

 

bttt for the Sunday morning crew...

 

all i know is .. thats cool

 

Hey Neal;nice find .I'm sure that's the second generation of the bell axle which was brought out mid-fifties.I believe it replaced the bell/cragar model with the filled I-beam style ends.The earliest well known use I'm aware of would be Dave Marques's ardun deuce roadster on the cover of Hot Rod July '56.

 

1956 Bell catalog.

 

Thanks for the catalog scan Tommy. Does anyone know how these axles (Bell or PSI) were made? Were the ends forged and welded to a center tube? I can't see a weld on my axle (like a Supebell), but maybe it was ground smooth.

Anymore info out there?

Thanks,

Neal

 

The Bell/ P.S.I. axle had cast ends welded to a tube Jim Ewing & Victor Leon worked for Gene Scott in the early 70'S untill they went out on their own to form SuperBell
Bill

 

Thanks for the info.

Are the PSI axles identical to the early Bells? Anyone out there with pics of either they could share to compare?

Thanks,

Neal

 

I picked up what we think is an NOS Bell Auto parts axle. It looks like the one Neal had. The ends are rough like Neal I started to clean them up. I would love to see the 56 Catalog Tommy....this one has a larger hole that has not be reamed and is the size of a Lincoln. I plan to use Lincoln spindles..

 

Did you buy that at the LA Roadster Swap from some guy named Neal....?

 

Yes... but do not recall his name..is that you?

 

Yes, that would be me...so the Lincoln king pins fit?

 

I hadn't thought about this thread in a few years. I'm not sure that is a Bell/PSI. The drop looks deeper like a Super Bell?


Here's the Bell in my 5W project.

 

The chrome dropped tube axle in my coupe. As I remember is a super bell 4 inch drop.
Bought in 1992 I think. Looks like NealinCa axle

 

All of the Super Bell axles I've seen have the same diameter ends as the axle and don't have the smaller tapered ends like the Bell ones.

 

Original Bell, that I now own, and then Jake's below that

They appear to have a more gentle sweep off the king pin boss.

What is the king pin to king pin dimension on your axle? A Bell is 50", same as a stock 32-36 Ford axle

 

I have a 4” dropped tube axle removed from a 34 Ford pick up that has set screws in the ends for the king pins instead of the standard wedge bolt. Any idea of who made that style?