Adapting a later Columbia to a 1934 axle

[uncle buck]

If I want to convert my 34 rear axle to a 2 speed using a 42-48 Columbia what is required to do it? Obviously the later Columbia tube will have to be mated up with the 34 axle tube. Since the 32-34 banjo center section is narrower than the 35-48 I will need a spacer that John Connelly sells to make up the difference on the Columbia side I believe. I also believe that when the 34 axle housing end is mated with the Columbia tube and the spacer added that the combined height should equal the original tube length? Obviously I would want to have the bullet proof modifications done too. Do I have my information correct or am I missing something?
Thanks

[motordr]

Yes, you’ve got it!

[Charlie Stephens]

Remember that your Columbia set up the way you describe will be wider than the '34 rear end and the tires will move out, how much? I don't know.

Charlie Stephens

[Ray in La Mesa]

I've got a 46-48 Columbia in my '28 p/u and it has a 4" wider track than the "A". Wheels are still inside the fenders, just closer to the outer bead.

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Remember that your Columbia set up the way you describe will be wider than the '34 rear end and the tires will move out, how much? I don't know.

Charlie Stephens

How do you figure that? The way that I understand it is that the tube splicing should equal.150” shorter than the stock 34 tube length to allow for the spacer to fit between the early banjo center and the Columbia cast adapter? The spacer allows for the wider internals to fit the earlier case is my understanding

[dean333]

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John Connelly would be the man to call for the correct answers. He’s great to talk to, built the unit for my ‘33.

[cas3]

I believe they way John sets them up with the spacer they end up same as stock 32-34 width. It would have to be as otherwise it would require a special length axle. I did the columbia in my 34 to 40 width, only 3/4" wider per side, to get the stronger center section, and since my car is an old school jalopy I wanted the width for bigger tires.

[Bored&Stroked]

You have it correct. You use a stock bell on the driver's side and a modified Columbia housing on the right side. In the end, you'll be using late 32 - 34 axles and the width will be the same as original. Hopefully you have a good passenger bell (to be used with the grafting procedure) with a good bearing surface (though that can be fixed as well).

Best of luck!

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

You have it correct. You use a stock bell on the driver's side and a modified Columbia housing on the right side. In the end, you'll be using late 32 - 34 axles and the width will be the same as original. Hopefully you have a good passenger bell (to be used with the grafting procedure) with a good bearing surface (though that can be fixed as well).

Best of luck!

Thanks guys, just finished welding it up and doing a quick preliminary assembly and everything appears to be stock width and going to work.

[motordr]

Looks great. You can make the spacer ring from the left over bell.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by uncle buck

Thanks guys, just finished welding it up and doing a quick preliminary assembly and everything appears to be stock width and going to work.

[Bored&Stroked]

Did you have an "alignment bar" to help keep the bearing surfaces true to the middle? How did you handle that portion of the job?