1932 ford rear end questions..

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draggin49

Senior Member
I have a 1932 Ford Roadster with the original v8 motor/trans. The motor runs really well but I can’t take it on the freeway due to it turning too many rpms . I’m guessing it must have 4:11 gears.


I was thinking about swapping these into the stock rear end


https://www.macsautoparts.com/early...ear-set-3-25-to-1-ratio-10-spline-458082.html

I was thinking this would be easier than putting a newer overdrive transmission in and keeping the stock 4:11’s


Thoughts??
 
It depends on which '32 rear axle is under your car. All but late '32s had ring and pinion gears that are essentially carried over from the Model A. The gears shown on that page from Macs would only fit into a late '32 rear axle which has bearings both in front and behind the pinion gear (the Model A/early and mid-year '32 pinion gears only have bearings in front of the pinion gear).

You can readily identify which rear axle you have by looking at the back end of the torque tube where it attaches to the center section of the rear axle assembly. If it is round, it is an early axle; if the end is scalloped around the circumference, it is the late axle.

You may be lucky and have the late rear axle, but if not, there are gear sets available for the earlier axle in at least a 3.78 ratio, which should help. As for a 3.25 ratio gear set, others herein will likely comment on the wisdom of such a 'low' ratio. If you live in a hilly area, you would likely end up having to do a lot of downshifting given the inherently modest torque output of an early V8 at low engine speeds.
 
I changed to a 3:54 in my early 32 rear. Used a Ring and Pinion from Schneiders and coupled with 7.00-18 tires it has really made the car enjoyable. I think with the large diameter tires I have effectively got a 3:25 ratio.

Now if only I could stop the front wheel hop above 60mph....
 
I have a 33 sedan with a V8 and I had swapped the gears for a taller ratio many years ago. I don't remember which ratio I have now, 3.78 sounds right.
Like David G. says, it does make a noticeable difference on hills. Taking off in first is also different, it used to pull right away even with the engine just above idle. Not any more though.
 
If you have the earlier rear end the gears are the same as the model A and readily available in just about any ratio you want. I have 3.54 in my 4 cylinder powered '31 roadster pickup and am happy with them. If you have the early rear end you should contact Tom Endy about rebuilding your rear end since you are probably close (Southern California is a BIG place). Start with him, he probably knows where to buy the best gears. He specializes in Model A's but might do an early '32.

Charlie Stephens
 
Bubsyouruncle said:
You have an 80 year old car designed to run at 45-50 mph. Why pretend that that 75 mph is now normal for it?
Click to expand...
At 75 MPH you are really flying. That is to say the airplane wing like fenders will make the front end very light and a passing semi pushing a lot of air will make you change lanes. My '31 RDPU is comfortable at 55 MPH and slightly higher only for short spurts.

Charlie Stephens
 
I doubt that the "airfoil" effect of the front fenders will produce enough lift to make the front of any 32 at any speed get light on the tires.
A worn out front end and or steering will certainly make being passed by or passing an 18 wheeler exciting due to sideways air pressure.
 
3:54's in our 32 with stock everything, does absolutely great until you get into "real" mountian's, then, what you could pull in 3rd now is 2nd and what you could pull in 2nd is now first!!!
 
I put 3.54 gears in ny '35 fordor sedan 2 years ago, and have not had a problem going up any of the hills and mountains in 3rd gear here in Western Maryland, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. The only thing I have noticed is a little more difficulty starting off in 1st gear when stopped at a traffic light on a slight up hill grade. I have a '35 21 stud engine that was rebuilt 15 years ago and now has + 30k miles, bored 0.030" over, with deck and heads shaved for slightly higher compression. I was cautioned by many folks who said I would not like this ratio, but after driving this car on several long trips, I really like these 3.54 gears.
 
@JM35Sedan
I imagine the 2 barrel carb helps with what you have posted, We are running the single barrel Detroit Lubricator!!! It runs it very well, but I'm sure the single barrel is somewhat a hindrance!
 
Bubsyouruncle said:
You have an 80 year old car designed to run at 45-50 mph. Why pretend that that 75 mph is now normal for it?
Click to expand...

Not saying that today’s freeway speed is normal for it , obviously these cars weren’t designed for beyond 45-50 originally which is why it is fully rev’d out around 50mph.

Where I live to go to the surrounding cities you need to get on the freeway .
Trying to go from one place to the other is a pain when you can only street drive . I didn’t buy the car to putt around my town only once in awhile . After years I can finally own my dream car, no way I am gonna not drive it a ton. I want to be able to drive to car shows and other car meeting events .Otherwise no point in me buying it . I daily drive my old cars as much as possible .there’s no reason it can’t do today’s freeway speed with the right modifications to make it turn less rpms .As for the fender /wind issues , never will have to worry about that , they were removed the day I got the car and will never be going back on.
 
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DavidG said:
It depends on which '32 rear axle is under your car. All but late '32s had ring and pinion gears that are essentially carried over from the Model A. The gears shown on that page from Macs would only fit into a late '32 rear axle which has bearings both in front and behind the pinion gear (the Model A/early and mid-year '32 pinion gears only have bearings in front of the pinion gear).

You can readily identify which rear axle you have by looking at the back end of the torque tube where it attaches to the center section of the rear axle assembly. If it is round, it is an early axle; if the end is scalloped around the circumference, it is the late axle.

You may be lucky and have the late rear axle, but if not, there are gear sets available for the earlier axle in at least a 3.78 ratio, which should help. As for a 3.25 ratio gear set, others herein will likely comment on the wisdom of such a 'low' ratio. If you live in a hilly area, you would likely end up having to do a lot of downshifting given the inherently modest torque output of an early V8 at low engine speeds.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for explaining the visual difference in identifying whether it’s the early rear axle or late. I will get under it tomorrow and take some pictures.
 
Charlie Stephens said:
If you have the earlier rear end the gears are the same as the model A and readily available in just about any ratio you want. I have 3.54 in my 4 cylinder powered '31 roadster pickup and am happy with them. If you have the early rear end you should contact Tom Endy about rebuilding your rear end since you are probably close (Southern California is a BIG place). Start with him, he probably knows where to buy the best gears. He specializes in Model A's but might do an early '32.

Charlie Stephens
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. If it’s the early rear i definitely will get in touch with your guy to source gears /rebuild the rear. Rear ends are something I definitely would rather pay someone with lots of experience to handle. Seems if you don’t get them just right they will be toast in no time
 
draggin49 said:
Not saying that today’s freeway speed is normal for it , obviously these cars weren’t designed for beyond 45-50 originally which is why it is fully rev’d out around 50mph.
Click to expand...

May depend on your prospective, 4.11 rear gear, 27 inch tire, at 65 mph is 3325 rpm. That wouldn't be rev'd out to me. :)

Stock 32-33 torque/hp curves go to 4000rpm and max hp is listed somewhere around 3800.
 
JSeery said:
May depend on your prospective, 4.11 rear gear, 27 inch tire, at 65 mph is 3325 rpm. That wouldn't be rev'd out to me. :)

Stock 32-33 torque/hp curves go to 4000rpm and max hp is listed somewhere around 3800.
Click to expand...

It sucks that where I live you’ve gotta go on the freeway a decent amount of time to go almost anywhere, so I need to make it a bit easier on my motor
Was considering an overdrive trans but that is a lot more work than swapping gears .

It won’t let me post pics for some reason, but I got under my car and the part that connects to the front side of the rear end is round
Wouldn’t this mean I need the early style gears ?
 
Yes, You have the more common earty rear end. It is all Model A inside.
I just put a 3.25 gear in mine but I have a 276" motor. I really like the reduction in busy sounds.
 
Draggin 49

I have a new in the box 3.78 ratio ring and pinion gear that I ordered from Job Lot Automotive a few years ago. I have a 1932 Model B 5 Window Coupe that I planned to put it in but I ended up installing a Mitchell Overdrive instead. I am asking $300 for it. Early Ford V-8 Sales in South Caroling has them in their catalog (part no. B-4209) for $395. I plan to be at the Bakersfield Swap Meet in April if that would help you.

Jim in San Jose
(408) 596-1936
 
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