rear axle housing

[Tom Endy]

Rear axle housings are functionally interchangeable left to right. The early housings had the seams on the side and the correct installation was with the seams facing forward. If you reversed them they would face aft. They would still be functional but incorrect per the judging standards.

During 1929 one supplier to Ford had the seams on the bottom. If you reversed them the seams were still on the bottom. After 1928 the seams were on the top, if you reversed them they were still on the top. In 1931 the shock arm ball was removable like a large rivet.

I have probably looked at thousands of axle housings, and the ones in the photo are the first I have seen that have a peculiar curve on one side of the support for the shock arm ball. The two housings were removed from a swap meet housing and have the seams on top. When installed the curve can face front or rear depending in how you install them.

The question:
Can anyone shed light on what these two housings are all about, why the curve?

Tom Endy

 

[Jim Brierley]

Don't know!

 

[d.j. moordigian]

Tom,
I think it was modified (ground) too clear the hydraulic brake lines....juice brakes?
djm

 

[Ernie Vitucci]

Damfino! Ernie in Arizona

 

[gibbdo]

Tom, you mentioned at the top of this thread that the left and right axle housings are functionally interchangeable. The Model A parts list shows two separate part numbers for the left hand and right hand axle housing. I have not been able to find any part numbers on any housings. How critical is the difference between these two part numbers? Is there any noticeable difference between the two housings?