1932 drive shaft

[Tom Endy]

I am in the process of rebuilding a rear axle assembly removed from a 1932 V8 Ford Tudor. When I got it apart I discovered the drive shaft in the photo. It has a hollow 1 & 3\4" tube welded over a smaller solid drive shaft. The torque tube and the drive shaft are about three inches longer than a Model A.

I believe that the rear has never been apart before as I found original bearings and races with the Ford logo on them along with the original Ford part number. The three grease seals were original leather seals (completely shot).

I have heard stories that the original Model A drive shaft did not work well in the 1932 V8's, as they had a tendency to "whip" due to the high torque of the engine.

Could anyone who has experience with 1932 V8 rear axle assemblies confirm that the drive shaft shown here is original Ford and not an after-thought modification.

Tom Endy