53 Plymouth diff for a 48 pilothouse?

[austinsailor]

I have located a 53 Plymouth with an automatic not to far away. I'm wondering what gears are under it, and if it would bolt under a 48 pilothouse, either 3ed member or entire axle? I'd be looking for taller gears.

Thoughts?

[greg g]

If its a Hy drive car it might be in the 3.7 range. If its out of the car, the ratio is usually stamped on a boss near the top of the pumpkin. Might take some wire brushig to find it. I would think if the length from baking plate to backing plate is equal, all that might be necessary is a change of spring perches and maybe the U joint flange. Is the truck an axle over spring or axle under?

[Young Ed]

I believe 53 is the first year of the finer toothed axle. So count the axle splines. If its the same that diff should bolt right into your housing. If not then you'd have to take it apart and switch the side gears.

[austinsailor]

A small town used car lot has it. He says it was driven there, but became stuck for no good reason. He pulled the head and pan, still doesn't understand why it's stuck. Low miles, he says, at 100k. Worn out at 100k, I'd say.

He asked $500, I said it was a hundred dollar car. He points out it was worth $250 as scrap, probably right.

If I was pretty sure I could bolt in a higher gear, I'd probably give the $250, part and scrap the rest. Sounds like it's not a bolt in 3ed member, though.

[Young Ed]

Not a direct bolt in but its not that hard to swap the side gears. After that its a bolt in. Dad and I are planning to help a guy do this project on halloween. I'll try to grab a few step by step pictures.