questions on 36 Desoto Airflow Differential

[austinsailor]

I have a 36 Desoto Airflow, but the overdrive transmission came in buckets. It's been a near impossibility finding the parts to get it back together.  The car came with a normal 3 speed installed, and with the 4:33 or so gears and noo overdrive, it isn't practical to drive many highways. I may eventually find transmission parts, but today it occurred to me that if I had taller gears, it would do just fine.

 

I have a NOS 3:56 ring and pinion set, and a 49 Chrysler 6 cylinder fluid drive, I expect about 3:90 or so gears, and a 51 Plymouth, with who knows what gears.

 

So, here is the question. What, of any of these choices, can I mix and match to get this 

airflow geared for highway driving?

 

I'm guessing the Chrysler gears aren't as tall as I'd like, but am not sure. I doubt the 3:56 gears will bolt into the Airflow pumpkin. I think they will fit in the Chrysler, maybe in the Plymouth.

 

If I take the Chrysler 3ed member, and either use the gears in it, or install the 3:56 gears, will it fit the Airflow? Airflows are different, in many ways, than other Mopars, so I need some ideas from someone who has been there. My parts book shows the parts interchange between the S1 (airstream) and S2 (Airflow) for 36, so if 3ed members that far back interchange with the ones in the 40's and 50s I might just get away with it.

 

Any thoughts?

[P15-D24]

You need to get ahold of a Hollanders Interchange manual for the years of you Airflow.  It will give a clear idea of what might be a straight bolt in. 

[deathbound]

Have you tried here: http://airflowclub.com/Forum.aspx or here: http://forums.aaca.org/forum/42-chrysler-airflowairstream/. I would think if anyone knows, it would be a "group" dedicated to Airflows.

[austinsailor]

I have the two Hollanders for older vehicles, I think it's 24 to 36, and 36 to 48. It says exactly what I thought, 3ed member will swap, but I'm not sure you can pull out enough info to tell if the axle splines are the same. I also can't get enough info to tell if the 3:56 gears will fit the 36 Desoto carrier, although I'm pretty sure they won't. If I recall correctly, there are two different thicknesses of gears, somewhere around 3:90.

I do believe I can take the Chrysler 3ed member, put in the 3:56 gears, use the 36 Desoto gears the axle skids into and it would work. It would be nice to know befor I tear apart 2 cars

As to the Airflow group, they are good guys, I do participate, but most spend all their time trying to bring them back to 1000 point cars. I doubt many, if any, have done anything like this. People in this group have done every imaginable swap or repair!

Gene

[T120]

.....As to the Airflow group, they are good guys, I do participate, but most spend all their time trying to bring them back to 1000 point cars. I doubt many, if any, have done anything like this. People in this group have done every imaginable swap or repair!

Gene

 

Sorry I can't offer help,however I do agree that we are very fortunate to have a diverse and savvy group on this forum.    

[Robin (UK)]

I've been in touch with a friend of mine, over here, who owns a Custom Imperial Airflow.
He has a lot of knowledge about old cars - both restorations and customs - but can't offer any definitive advice.
However, he did say that he'd be happy to correspond so I will PM you with his contact.
Good luck.