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09-23-2010, 11:35 PM | #1 |
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3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
I have a couple of questions about running 3.54 gears.
I just picked up a complete 33-34 rearend that has a set of 3.54 gears in it. The center section is stamped 11 39 and the ring and pinion are both Ford script gears. What cars would have used 3.54 gears in 33-34? I was kinda surprised to find these, as I always thought that high of a ratio didn't show up until 40 or 41... Next question. Will I be OK running these in a 32 Fordor with a later flathead and 7.00-16's on the rear? What gears should I run in the transmission? Do I need a 28 or 29 tooth cluster? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Neal |
09-23-2010, 11:52 PM | #2 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Wow, lucky man!!! I don't have any info but would like to know as well!!
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09-24-2010, 08:03 AM | #3 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Neal;
I am running 3.25 gears in my 36 & 46 convertibles with great success. I am not into burning rubber or jackrabbit starts at the stop lights, but I do have more than adequate acceleration. The delightfull part is that the engine is not cranking up the RPMs on the freeway and the mileage is pretty good. |
09-24-2010, 08:36 AM | #4 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
I am running 3.54's with 7.00x16's and a 28-tooth transmission in my 34 Rdstr. I elected to use the 28-tooth because I felt that 25 or 26 tooth Zephyr gears would be too tall for starting from a stop, although they WOULD be better once I got going... Engine is a 59AB with Merc crank and a mild cam. It seems to work good, although it would be nice to have a taller 2nd gear in the mountains - have to either keep my speed up and be in 3rd or slow down and go into 2nd, which is too low = too slow. I am thinking Columbia...
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09-24-2010, 08:39 AM | #5 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Quote:
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09-24-2010, 12:18 PM | #6 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
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Surprisingly, the high speed ratios are more common in the standard cars in lieu of Deluxe cars. For all round driving it is hard to beat a Columbia.... You have low ratios for quick get away and hilly areas... then tall gearing for highway use. The Columbia actually gives six gears to a vehicle because you can operate the vehicle in low-under, low high, etc., throughout all three gears in the trans and two ratios of the Columbia. If a person opts for a Columbia get a '42-48 and have it rebuilt by one of the guys that specialize in Columbia's... In my '36 I used my original center section, (3.78), 42-48 axle housings, 42-48 Columbia, '37 radius bars, 39 drums.. Everything bolted together like it was meant to be. My engine is a 59 AB with lots of improvements..
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09-24-2010, 12:24 PM | #7 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
3.54 gears were optional in 33-34. I have a set of NOS that I hope to use in something.
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09-24-2010, 12:42 PM | #8 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Regarding Columbia, it is possible to "graft" a later Columbia into a late32-34 rear, thereby maintaining the original width and original (curved) rear spring.
For a 32, the torque tube and driveshaft need to be the correct length, otherwise late32-34 rears are the same.
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09-24-2010, 01:00 PM | #9 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Quote:
I am surprised that nobody cautioned you that the gears from the '33-'34 rear end will work only in the late '32 rear end (the ones with the scallops where the torque tube joins the rear end). The late rear ends are hard to find. Charlie Stephens |
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09-24-2010, 01:11 PM | #10 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Quote:
I was just going to shorten the 34 driveshaft and use the complete rearend. Neal |
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09-24-2010, 01:22 PM | #11 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
The late 32 rear axle is the exactly same as the 33-34 - no difference. A 33-34 drive shaft and torque tube will have to be shortened about 8.5 inches. Also, the hole for the speedometer gear would have to be rotated to exactly match a late 32 setup.
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09-25-2010, 01:10 AM | #12 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Neal,
My green '32 PU has 3.54 r&p (B rear) with 700-16 rear tires, 28 tooth trans and stock B engine. It is very driveable and cruises very nice once up to speed. If that poor 4-cyl can get it moving you'll have no problems with a late V8. - Dennis -
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09-25-2010, 07:40 AM | #13 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Walts "poor" 4 cylinder will beat most V/8s for the first 100 yards. G.M.
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09-25-2010, 09:24 AM | #14 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
The speedo drive location on the early "B" rear (torque tube) is the same as needed for a late 32 rear; when making one from a 33-34, need to rotate it accordingly. 32 is the only "early v8" year where the speedo cable goes to the RH/Passenger side, and cannot just reverse the direction of the turtle; the speedo will then only read in reverse... The threaded cable end MUST face counter-clockwise as viewed from the rear.
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09-25-2010, 11:31 AM | #15 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Quote:
The center section containing the ring/pinion will generally work with any Columbia. The Columbia's use stock Ford axles and a stock Ford left axle housing. The Columbia's were first offered as an option by Ford on the '36 Fords, therefore, the problem to over come would be the Columbia's right axle housing. The big problem would be the larger OD size and length of the Columbia axle housing. The housing could be shortened, care would have to be taken to not compromise the position of the inner axle seal which is larger than the stock Ford inner axle seal. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, SOMETHINGS JUST TAKE LONGER AND COST MORE. Many years ago I had a Columbia that was a '35-36 on the left side and '37-40 on the right side. A bracket had been fabricated for the Columbia side to attach the radius bar. The whole affair looked pretty hooky, but it worked.. It has always been my understanding that the '42-48 Columbia's are stronger than the earlier units, this might not be true. I would imagine that the earlier units can be beefed up. I know that a lot of the EFV8 people don't care for the Columbia's, for my money, they beat the hell out of the after market drive-line units. Other than a failure of a spacer washer in my Columbia, I have never had a problem with it in over 50 years.
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09-25-2010, 12:01 PM | #16 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Foot note to the Columbia issue;
Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg,(ACD) purchased Columbia Axle Company in the early 1930's. Starting in 1932 the Columbia 2 spd rear ends were standard equipment on the Auburns. The Columbia was a factory option on the '36 Lincoln Zephyr's. The Columbia's were a dealer installed option on the '36 and later Fords. The point here-in is.... With the power and weight of the Auburns, 6, 8 and 12 cyln engines, ACD must have figured the assembly was pretty stout to stand up to the power and weight of their cars..
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09-25-2010, 02:25 PM | #17 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Actually, a Columbia was available for the 33-34 Ford.
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09-25-2010, 03:05 PM | #18 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Quote:
I have had a "Late" Columbia, that has had the R/H Housing re-configured, in my '34 P.U. for more then 40 years now with no problems what so ever. I did the engineering but had Cook Machine in Santa Fe Springs do the modification of the housing. I even re-machined the cast iron Columbia Housing to fit the narrower '34 Center Section. I understand now there is a spacer ring being made that will allow the "Late" cast iron Columbia Housing to properly fit the narrow "Early" Center Section. You just take the thickness of the spacer into consideration when re-working the R/H Housing. A few monthes ago, I re-worked a '46-'48 R/H housing into the '37-'39 Configuration. This time, I did the work my self as I now have a big enough lathe and TIG capabilities in my shop which I did not have 40 years ago. There are others who do this work on a regular basis and it is not that expensive. As far as the size of the inner axle seal, it is my understanding that they are the same as the stock Ford seals. Columbia used the ends of the stock Ford Axle housings to make up their housings. The seal regester is in this part and not in the formed tube part that Columbia made. If you look at the end of the '46-48 Columbia axle housing, the arm that carriers the spring and shock mounting will have the Ford Part Number on it, just like the Ford Housings. I suspect Columbia bought this part from Ford and used it for their housings. Earlier Columbia's may be different but I suspect not. Anyway, properly done, a "Late" Columbia in an Early Ford really works well. This is my experience, Chris. |
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09-25-2010, 08:09 PM | #19 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
What year Columbia had the round end on the outer end ? Kerk
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09-25-2010, 09:04 PM | #20 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
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09-25-2010, 09:24 PM | #21 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
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09-26-2010, 11:03 AM | #22 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
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09-26-2010, 01:10 PM | #23 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Just curious Jerry. Would those gears fit in my stock late 32 rearend with scalloped (not round) torque tube mounting? Thanks, Keith Strickland
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09-26-2010, 07:40 PM | #24 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
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09-26-2010, 08:16 PM | #25 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
As already mentioned, they will fit a LATE 32 "18" rear but WILL NOT fit an early 32 "B" rear.
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09-26-2010, 10:03 PM | #26 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
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Quote:
Will the Columbia axle and vacuum canister clear the right side floor pan in a 32 Sedan or 3-window coupe? Looks pretty tight to me. |
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09-27-2010, 08:00 AM | #27 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
They clear everything on the 33 and I don't think the floor area is much differant on a 32. I have one in my 33 phaeton, 35 roadster, 36 roadster, 39 convertible, 39 convertible sedan and 39 P/U. All have 3:78 gears and operate great in all areas of the Eastern part of the country. None are "bullet proofed" and never had any problems. The 39 convertible has over 100,000 miles on it and shifts smooth, most times you don't hear it shift, I watch the speedometer and see it jiggle as the rear shifts. On trips I drive at 65 to 70 MPH for 12 or 14 hours just stopping for gas and the engine just purrs along at that speed. One thing is when you fill the rear you need to fill it to the new filler plug on the right side and drive it 2 or 3 miles and check it again. Everyone I put in needed more oil after the inital test drive, they get a little noisey when it is down a little but quiets up when filled. G.M.
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09-27-2010, 09:55 AM | #28 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
If you don't lower the car, it will probably clear just fine. I put a '41 Columbia rear in my '32 3W and was limited how much I could lower it by the clearance between the dropdown in the 3W floor and the vacuum shifter can. I added '34 frame bumpers to the frame rails for protection.
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09-27-2010, 01:27 PM | #29 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Randy, Thanks for the info. Your real-world experience is much better than my eyeballing the fit. Looks like I'm good to go.
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09-27-2010, 02:13 PM | #30 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
BTW, the floorpans on closed-body 32s are majorly different than those in 33-34s. Also big difference between open and closed bodies. 32 closed floorpans are very restricted around the rear axle unlike open bodies and the 33-34s.
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04-19-2017, 01:57 PM | #31 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Attempting the same swap on an early 32 rear end. I have the correct 3.54 ring and pinion for the early rear but am wondering about the speedo gear. 700-16`s on the rear, C69A slightly warmed up, 39 transmission with common gears. What should I be looking for ?
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04-19-2017, 05:01 PM | #32 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
My buddy has just put 3.24 gears in his 40 2 door son. He having trouble finding a speedo gear for his car? He has not road tested as yet. I talk him in that and now scared a bit. I have 354 in my 35 pickup and it winds up at 55. I would like to go faster but afraid it would hurt the engine to go faster.
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04-19-2017, 05:55 PM | #33 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
You are not turning that many rpms at 55 mph! It is not going to hurt the engine!
rpm = (mph X gear ratio X 336) / tire diameter (55 X 3.78 X 336) / 28 = 2,500 rpm (55 X 4.11 X 336) / 28 = 2,700 rpm (65 X 4.11 X 336) / 28 = 3,200 rpm If any of these rpms levels are going to hurt your engine I would be looking for a new engine!! |
04-19-2017, 06:19 PM | #34 | |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Quote:
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04-19-2017, 06:48 PM | #35 |
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Re: 3.54 Gears in a 32-34 rear end...
Jerry,
With respect, the Columbia for the '33-'34s was available, but only as a unauthorized aftermarket installation. Ford did not release it as authorized dealer-installed "special equipment" until beyond the '36 model year. |
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