1955 Ford ranch Wagon/ Differential Question?

[poolplayer1]

Can some one here help me identify the differential on this 55. I remember that we replaced the origional when we put in the 302 with a C4 ******. The reason we replaced it was because after putting in the 302 with new automatic ****** and when going down the road,it always sounded like the car was geared too low.It sounded like it was in low gear instead of drive.If I remember correctly,we found one out of a 57 ford car or wagon,can't remember for sure.out at a junk yard.Its been 30 years ago that we did this.Anyway,I looked around the diff.and found some numbers casted on the its body.Here are the numbers.
AF40250 on the body and there is a Tag that says 3.30 on it. On the right side of the body,there are 2 #'s casted.They are 46.
Maybe this will tell me where this rear end came from back then.
I would apreciate any and all the help in identifying this rear end.
Thanks to all.
PS,almost forgot,this morning when checking the #'s on the diff,I got a hold of the drive line and moved it back and forth and heard some kind of clunking noise ( don't know the exact discription) coming from inside the Diff. Maybe thats the noise I hear when I put the car in reverse. It can't be the U joints cause they are brand new. Its only when I put it in reverse that I hear this loud noise.It sounds like when you have bad u joints.It does not do it when I put it in drive. The ****** has been completely rebuilt and the noise is not from the ******,I hear it coming from the rear,like the Diff.

 

[Dobie Gillis]

3.30 is the ratio. I'm assuming it's a Dana axle, are you sure the two cast numbers are 46? There is no Dana 46 axle that was used in passenger cars and light trucks. It's likely either a Dana 44 or 45.

 

[Ole Don]

Dobbie, he said it was a nine inch from a 57. If my memory is correct, and he needs bearings, there are two sets available, small and large diameter. Take what you have to the parts store and they will give you new ones and a bill. Or, take the pumpkin out and take it to an old time mechanic to repair. Klunking is normal. There is clearance set between the two big gears that is take up with heat. You may quiet it down some by draining it and refilling with straight 140 gear lube.

 

[paul2748]

Light clunking is normal. If it is a heavy clunk, then it should be looked at.

 

[poolplayer1]

Thanks guys for your help and suggestions. The clunking is a light one,not really that hard of a clunk. I will keep an eye on it anyway to see if it gets worse or not.

 

[rotorwrench]

I guess it depends on what it came out of from 1957. The 9-inch looks more like the older Ford car unit. Dana 44 rear axles should have been original for station wagons but some cars were coming with the odd Dana 45 in that time frame. If it has a 9-inch, it's pretty easy to ID it with the removable 3rd member that connects up at the front of the housing. If it has a pan that bolts on the back it could be a Dana 44 since Ford was still using them in Pickups in 1957. The D44 will have a casting mark under the right side rear bulls eye at the junction of the axle tube on the housing.

A little backlash is normal in the gears but a lot is not. The pinion bearings might be on their last leg. There is plenty of stuff available for a 9-inch if that's what it is.

 

[grumppyoldman]

I have some pics of my stock 55 rear end, the pumpkin comes out the front and Iv'e been told it's an 8" it's been re-built. It has the slack when shifting into reverse, but the engine idles a little fast because of the engine mods. I'll post some pics. and you guys can tell me what it is. I'm wanting to go with an 8.8 when I get some more car money. Al