The Ford Barn

SSsssteamer · 12-29-2014, 03:04 PM

Our 1957 Ford Skyliner presently has the 3.56 ratio rear axle ring and pinion gears in it behind our 312 w/automatic transmission. Our axle code "2". The gears are starting to howl and at 70 mph, the engine sounds like it's over revving. Time to replace them. I have two options, one is the 3.10 ratio (code 1) if I can find the new gears at all. The next option is the 3.25 ratio ring and pinion from Mac's. Their Ford Part number #49-30725-1 @ $300. They are supposed to fit 9" rear ends of '57 to '59 Fords. The 3.25 ratio first came out in 1958. Will that ratio also fit our 1957 Ford? I do not want the locking rear end that was used during the same years.

55Brodie · 12-29-2014, 04:32 PM

3.00:1 ratio is readily available aftermarket for the 9 inch.

streetdreams · 12-29-2014, 05:01 PM

You can get a good set of the ratio you want from Jeg's.

miker98038 · 12-29-2014, 06:38 PM

Might talk to these guys, they're fairly close.

http://www.ringpinion.com

SSsssteamer · 12-29-2014, 08:55 PM

MikeR98038, Your Randy's looks like the way to go. He has better prices and a better selection. Would my 1957 Skyliner 312 cu. in. be able to easily pull the 3 to 1 ratio with my automatic? It looks like the best ratio for gas mileage. Thank you for the help.

55Brodie · 12-29-2014, 10:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have the 3.00 in my 55 Customline with 312 and a CruiseOMatic. Runs great and only spins about 2400 rpms at 70 mph. 26.5 inch tall tire.

miker98038 · 12-29-2014, 11:24 PM

55Brodie would know better than I would, but I think with a stock or mild cam you'd be fine. I had an OT 327, bone stock 2 barrel, and a .7 O/D with 3.55's. That worked out to 2.48 final drive, about the same tire size. Your going to lose a little leaving a stop, and a little at lower speed cruise. So long as the motor is on its torque curve at cruise, you'll be fine. You've got more 45-55mph roads up there, and probably more freeway travel, than I do down south.

I think the COM starts in low, and the Fordo in second. So you might have to do a manual shift starting on a hill, but that would be seldom and live able.

Depending on your skills and budget, I'd get a price to do a full install. You're probably due for bearings in the pumpkin. Maybe bearings and seals in the axles. I know he's got a full service shop, and when all is said and done, a full warrantee on the rear end might be worth it.

JeffB2 · 12-30-2014, 01:55 AM

Since the 9" Ford is so popular with racers gear ratios like you want show up at swap meets and craigslist a lot usually at a budget price because they usually get swapped out.

SSsssteamer · 12-30-2014, 11:30 AM

Streetdreams, I went ahead and ordered from Jegs like you suggested. Overall they did have the best prices, but their catalogs don't go back to 1957 for very many parts like wheel bearings, speedometer gears, and etc. So for $183.99, I have the street quality 3 to 1 gears coming, and for another $100.99, I will be getting their master installation kit containing bearings, shims, and so forth. I am a journeyman power trains mechanic, so I am in my element with the rear axle gear installation. Thank you all for the help. The next challenge will be to find a 3.00 to 1 speedometer driven gear for my 1957 Fordomatic transmission. Any ideas?

SSsssteamer · 12-30-2014, 11:49 AM

I located 1957 Ford speedometer driven gears from Dennis Carpenter. 16 thru 21 tooth gears at $9.95 each. I will have to find out which tooth count that I will need for the 3 to 1 axle ratio. I also discovered that my Skyliner uses the heavier rear axle bearing like both the Ranchero and the station wagon use. While things are apart, new axle bearing will go into it also.

55Brodie · 12-30-2014, 04:22 PM

Existing driven gear tooth count X 1.187 = new required tooth count. (3.56 ÷ 3)

streetdreams · 12-30-2014, 05:30 PM

Check the bearings before you buy. Just went through a pass car '57 rear and needed an axle. Got one from a Skyliner guy across state. he mentioned he got the axle he sold me out of a Skyliner equipped with the smaller bearing housing.

Frankenstein57 · 12-30-2014, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffB2

Since the 9" Ford is so popular with racers gear ratios like you want show up at swap meets and craigslist a lot usually at a budget price because they usually get swapped out.

The dirt modifieds approved quick change rear ends for next season, there will be a ton of 9" gears on the auction block

12-29-2014, 03:04 PM	#1
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Our 1957 Ford Skyliner presently has the 3.56 ratio rear axle ring and pinion gears in it behind our 312 w/automatic transmission. Our axle code "2". The gears are starting to howl and at 70 mph, the engine sounds like it's over revving. Time to replace them. I have two options, one is the 3.10 ratio (code 1) if I can find the new gears at all. The next option is the 3.25 ratio ring and pinion from Mac's. Their Ford Part number #49-30725-1 @ $300. They are supposed to fit 9" rear ends of '57 to '59 Fords. The 3.25 ratio first came out in 1958. Will that ratio also fit our 1957 Ford? I do not want the locking rear end that was used during the same years.

12-29-2014, 04:32 PM	#2
55Brodie Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Little River, SC Posts: 37	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner 3.00:1 ratio is readily available aftermarket for the 9 inch. __________________ Brodie Coastal SC

12-29-2014, 05:01 PM	#3
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner You can get a good set of the ratio you want from Jeg's.

12-29-2014, 10:21 PM	#6
55Brodie Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Little River, SC Posts: 37	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have the 3.00 in my 55 Customline with 312 and a CruiseOMatic. Runs great and only spins about 2400 rpms at 70 mph. 26.5 inch tall tire. __________________ Brodie Coastal SC

12-29-2014, 11:24 PM	#7
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,397	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner 55Brodie would know better than I would, but I think with a stock or mild cam you'd be fine. I had an OT 327, bone stock 2 barrel, and a .7 O/D with 3.55's. That worked out to 2.48 final drive, about the same tire size. Your going to lose a little leaving a stop, and a little at lower speed cruise. So long as the motor is on its torque curve at cruise, you'll be fine. You've got more 45-55mph roads up there, and probably more freeway travel, than I do down south. I think the COM starts in low, and the Fordo in second. So you might have to do a manual shift starting on a hill, but that would be seldom and live able. Depending on your skills and budget, I'd get a price to do a full install. You're probably due for bearings in the pumpkin. Maybe bearings and seals in the axles. I know he's got a full service shop, and when all is said and done, a full warrantee on the rear end might be worth it.

12-29-2014, 06:38 PM	#4
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,397	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Might talk to these guys, they're fairly close. http://www.ringpinion.com

12-30-2014, 01:55 AM	#8
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Since the 9" Ford is so popular with racers gear ratios like you want show up at swap meets and craigslist a lot usually at a budget price because they usually get swapped out.

12-30-2014, 11:30 AM	#9
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Streetdreams, I went ahead and ordered from Jegs like you suggested. Overall they did have the best prices, but their catalogs don't go back to 1957 for very many parts like wheel bearings, speedometer gears, and etc. So for $183.99, I have the street quality 3 to 1 gears coming, and for another $100.99, I will be getting their master installation kit containing bearings, shims, and so forth. I am a journeyman power trains mechanic, so I am in my element with the rear axle gear installation. Thank you all for the help. The next challenge will be to find a 3.00 to 1 speedometer driven gear for my 1957 Fordomatic transmission. Any ideas?

12-30-2014, 11:49 AM	#10
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner I located 1957 Ford speedometer driven gears from Dennis Carpenter. 16 thru 21 tooth gears at $9.95 each. I will have to find out which tooth count that I will need for the 3 to 1 axle ratio. I also discovered that my Skyliner uses the heavier rear axle bearing like both the Ranchero and the station wagon use. While things are apart, new axle bearing will go into it also.

12-30-2014, 04:22 PM	#11
55Brodie Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Little River, SC Posts: 37	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Existing driven gear tooth count X 1.187 = new required tooth count. (3.56 ÷ 3) __________________ Brodie Coastal SC

12-30-2014, 05:30 PM	#12
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: Taller axle gears for our '57 Ford Skyliner Check the bearings before you buy. Just went through a pass car '57 rear and needed an axle. Got one from a Skyliner guy across state. he mentioned he got the axle he sold me out of a Skyliner equipped with the smaller bearing housing.