The Ford Barn

panhead_pete · 04-15-2025, 12:06 AM

Did any of the V8 banjo rears come stock with a 3.54 gearset?

Thanks
Pete

69a · 04-15-2025, 03:34 AM

Yes! I'm no expert, but 11-39 is 3.54:1

Steves46 · 04-15-2025, 05:37 AM

To the best of my knowledge most of the 1946 cars.

rockfla · 04-15-2025, 06:48 AM

A 3:78 to 1 was offered in 1932 4cyl's and starting in 1934 a 3:54 to 1 was available in both passenger & commercial vehicles.....starting in 1937 3:54's were offered with the 85Hp only....NOT the 60hp.

rockfla · 04-15-2025, 07:18 AM

Sorry for the blurry edge scan but this starts 1932 at the top through 1938

deuce lover · 04-15-2025, 07:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I think the OP wanted to know if the 3.54 was factory installed at time of purchase. IMO it was special order or dealer installed.I did at one time in the last century have a 33,34 center banjo section with 3.54's and it was stamped that way from new I imagine.

Elmo Rodge · 04-15-2025, 08:44 AM

My 1936 Touring Sedan has one. I bought it in Texas in 2003. I'm pretty sure it was never changed, judging from the rest of the car.
Wayno

42merc · 04-15-2025, 09:35 AM

Many '42 - '48 Mercuries were equipped with 3:54 gears from the factory.

panhead_pete · 04-15-2025, 04:55 PM

Thanks all. It would be going under an AV8 so Im open to most years of rear although preferably 39 up for the juice brakes. Will keep my eyes open for 11-39 stamps.

alchemy · 04-15-2025, 08:32 PM

39 and up brakes will bolt on to any old Ford rear axles back to the A’s.

cadillac512 · 04-15-2025, 10:56 PM

My '41 Merc has stock 3.54 gears in the banjo.

hotcoupe · 04-16-2025, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alchemy

39 and up brakes will bolt on to any old Ford rear axles back to the A’s.

The backing plates will bolt on to an earlier axle housing, but they may not be clocked correctly ( the wheel cylinder will not be level, making it hard to bleed the brakes). I know '32 - '34 are that way.
Tom

Steve Staysko · 04-16-2025, 02:30 PM

I just had Strong's Garage changed out the 4.10 gear set in my 34 roadster to 3.54 and wow what a difference its a totally different car to drive, at 60 the engine purrs along with much lower rpm.

rockfla · 04-16-2025, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Staysko

I just had Strong's Garage changed out the 4.10 gear set in my 34 roadster to 3.54 and wow what a difference its a totally different car to drive, at 60 the engine purrs along with much lower rpm.

Did the same on our 1932 20+ years ago, same report, same results!!

alchemy · 04-16-2025, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

The backing plates will bolt on to an earlier axle housing, but they may not be clocked correctly ( the wheel cylinder will not be level, making it hard to bleed the brakes). I know '32 - '34 are that way.
Tom

I have 40 brakes on the stock rear axle in my 32, and they work great. No modifications at all.

38 coupe · 04-20-2025, 07:33 AM

Be careful with the 39-41 Mercury axles with 3.54 gear sets. The driveshaft and pinion gear are one very long part with no coupler. I have been told you can cut the drive shaft off at the correct length and have splines machined into the pinion gear, but I have never done it myself.

04-15-2025, 12:06 AM	#1
panhead_pete Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Hakuba Nagano Japan Posts: 220	3.54 ratio stock in an axle Did any of the V8 banjo rears come stock with a 3.54 gearset? Thanks Pete __________________ Looking for an unrestored 33 34 3W or 5W coupe. Thanks Last edited by panhead_pete; 04-15-2025 at 03:42 AM.

04-15-2025, 03:34 AM	#2
69a Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 262	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle Yes! I'm no expert, but 11-39 is 3.54:1

04-15-2025, 05:37 AM	#3
Steves46 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lithia, FL Posts: 1,072	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle To the best of my knowledge most of the 1946 cars. __________________ If it aint broke, don't fix it!

04-15-2025, 06:48 AM	#4
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 4,804	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle A 3:78 to 1 was offered in 1932 4cyl's and starting in 1934 a 3:54 to 1 was available in both passenger & commercial vehicles.....starting in 1937 3:54's were offered with the 85Hp only....NOT the 60hp.

04-15-2025, 07:45 AM	#6
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,832	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think the OP wanted to know if the 3.54 was factory installed at time of purchase. IMO it was special order or dealer installed.I did at one time in the last century have a 33,34 center banjo section with 3.54's and it was stamped that way from new I imagine.

04-15-2025, 08:44 AM	#7
Elmo Rodge Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salina, Utah Posts: 348	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle My 1936 Touring Sedan has one. I bought it in Texas in 2003. I'm pretty sure it was never changed, judging from the rest of the car. Wayno __________________ Life is not a spectator sport.

04-15-2025, 09:35 AM	#8
42merc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buchanan, MI Posts: 697	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle Many '42 - '48 Mercuries were equipped with 3:54 gears from the factory.

04-15-2025, 04:55 PM	#9
panhead_pete Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Hakuba Nagano Japan Posts: 220	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle Thanks all. It would be going under an AV8 so Im open to most years of rear although preferably 39 up for the juice brakes. Will keep my eyes open for 11-39 stamps. __________________ Looking for an unrestored 33 34 3W or 5W coupe. Thanks

04-15-2025, 08:32 PM	#10
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 889	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle 39 and up brakes will bolt on to any old Ford rear axles back to the A’s.

04-15-2025, 10:56 PM	#11
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,172	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle My '41 Merc has stock 3.54 gears in the banjo. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

04-16-2025, 02:30 PM	#13
Steve Staysko Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dewinton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 467	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle I just had Strong's Garage changed out the 4.10 gear set in my 34 roadster to 3.54 and wow what a difference its a totally different car to drive, at 60 the engine purrs along with much lower rpm.

04-20-2025, 07:33 AM	#16
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,040	Re: 3.54 ratio stock in an axle Be careful with the 39-41 Mercury axles with 3.54 gear sets. The driveshaft and pinion gear are one very long part with no coupler. I have been told you can cut the drive shaft off at the correct length and have splines machined into the pinion gear, but I have never done it myself.