Which Rear?

K

kingskid

Member
What would be the best option for rear end in my 47' Ford Bus.Coupe?
It has a stock Banjo now. I believe it's 354 gear. stock 3 speed manual ******.
Want a better cruising ratio. Gonna go with parallel springs also. Suggestions?
 
You would need a pretty healthy flat motor to run gears any higher than 354. Still got a flat motor, then why change the springs? Sounds like a good question for the Hamb. Tell us the whole story for a good answer!
 
If your going to convert to parallel springs, installing a more modern rear with an open driveline with a better gear ratio is a better way to go.
 
Or put in a Columbia rear axle. 4.11 in low gear = 2.9 in high gear.. the 42-48 Columbia axle is the easiest to find.
 
I went with the Mitchel overdrive, For the money and work involved to convert to open drive and later axle it made the most sense. The Columbia would be my second choice. I have been down all three roads over the years, and as stated above hacking up your coup and putting in a 3.00 ford 8" will make your little flathead very sluggish in traffic and no fun on hills. I did this in my 42. The Columbia option is a bolt in and works well but it will take a chunk of change and a little searching . My 38 Lincoln had one. For around the same amount of change you can order your Mitchell Over drive and just bolt it in. It comes with a warranty and is new with all its parts still available if needed.
 
I know others disagree with its abilities, but I have an 8BA, with a 4 inch crank, 3.54 gears and a Columbia. If I am coming off the interstate to a stop sign and don't get shifted out of Overdrive, I can pull away from a stop sign in 1st, while the Columbia is still engaged. I then disengae it, but that 8BA is strong enough to move it with 3.54s and the Columbia.

Be glad to let you drive it next time you are in Denver!!!
 
I might consider a spicer 35 with 3.73 gears and a T-170 trans, This might be more reliable and cheaper than some of the other suggestions , But nothing is cheap these days!!
Gramps
 
pistonbroke said:
...as stated above hacking up your coup and putting in a 3.00 ford 8" will make your little flathead very sluggish in traffic and no fun on hills.
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Your issue wasn't the 8", it was the gear ratio you had in that 8".

If he's putting parallel leaves under it with the stock banjo, he's still "hacking it up" and might as well put in a more reliable rear axle (that uses modern hub bearings) that has a wider availability of parts.
 
danliveshere said:
Or put in a Columbia rear axle. 4.11 in low gear = 2.9 in high gear.. the 42-48 Columbia axle is the easiest to find.
Click to expand...

If you'd consider a 2-speed rearend I'll be posting info soon about an auction of the considerable parts stash of a friend who recently passed. Included was some (Columbia?) 2-speed axle stuff. I'm thinking the auction might be in April. I'll be posting info as soon as it's available. He had a LOT of old Ford parts and pieces, and a couple cars that will be in the auction.

Lynn
 
Steve in Denver said:
I know others disagree with its abilities, but I have an 8BA, with a 4 inch crank, 3.54 gears and a Columbia. If I am coming off the interstate to a stop sign and don't get shifted out of Overdrive, I can pull away from a stop sign in 1st, while the Columbia is still engaged. I then disengae it, but that 8BA is strong enough to move it with 3.54s and the Columbia.

Be glad to let you drive it next time you are in Denver!!!
Click to expand...

I have basically the same combination (minus the Columbia) in my '51, which I believe is a little heavier than your car. I find it eminently usable and quite practical. I do have an OD setup for it in the event I ever am in the situation to be able to attend a National meet.
 
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