52b3b Joe Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 I've tried looking through old threads and didnt find anything, but my dad and I are going to pick up a running 228ci engine and fluid drive trans out of a 1941 desoto (being turning in to a street rod???....the car was running and driving with 33,000 original miles....enough said) for an extra for his 41 desoto. Got the engine and trans for $200....good deal!!! Now to my question....the rear end is for sale also (the entire rolling frame is i think as well) and my question is would the 3.73 guts in the rear end from the 41 desoto fit and work in my 52 b3b rear end housing? Quote
Young Ed Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 I'd be surprised if that desoto came stock with a 3.73 but if thats whats in there it should fit. For cars 52 was the last year before an axle spline count change not sure if the same is true for trucks. Even if thats wrong you can swap side gears between the two diffs. Quote
52b3b Joe Posted January 25, 2011 Author Report Posted January 25, 2011 Thanks for the info...I think Im going to give it a shot. The desoto rear end is from a fluid drive with the semi auto trans and the standard ratio was a 3.73 for them so i'm hoping thats what I will find. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 As long as the axle spline count is the same you should be good. I swapped a 3.90 from a car into my 46 pickup. The only other issue I ran into was the truck case was slightly thicker in a few places so I had to use 2 washers under a couple of the nuts to allow them to tighten. If you checked this ahead it would be easily fixed but I already had mine installed etc so extra washers it was. Quote
tom'sB2B Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 I tried the same thing with a '51 Desoto and it didn't work. The gearing was much too big to fit in the pumpkin of my truck. You will notice immediately if it will match by the bolt pattern on the pumpkin. On my axle, I had an 11 bolt pattern where on the car it was only 10 bolt. Also, the car axle was slightly shorter. Hopfully it works out better for you. Tom Quote
Young Ed Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 Tom do you know what the specs were of the donor car? You may have gotten a diff out of a LWB car. Quote
tom'sB2B Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 That was the kicker. The car was long gone when I got the axle, so I had know idea of the specs of the car Quote
tom'sB2B Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 It would be nice to know the models and years of cars that would have axles for a direct swap in case I run across another old dodge or dosoto car. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 25, 2011 Report Posted January 25, 2011 With your possible exception of the LWB cars they fit atleast 39-52 from cars to 1/2 ton pickups. Quote
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