how strong is an original 1950 rear end?

[cybermca]

i am doing a 318/727 small block conversion and have finally got the engine mounted up in the car.  next is drive shaft and exhaust.  since the original rear end is in perfect working order, is it worth getting a drive shaft made up to mate to it or will the v8 torque snap something in the next year.  i'm not going to be doing burnouts or anything since the motor is fairly mild.  just wondering if i should get an explorer rear end or be able to use the original for now....??

 

who has broken one?

[Oldguy48]

I would think that if you don't thrash on it, it would be fine...however, with the new transmission, you won't have an "Emergency, or parking brake" anymore. And replacing the rear isn't that huge a project. And you can pick and choose the gear ratio that suits your driveline, and driving style.

Wayne

Edited March 2, 2016 by Oldguy48

[falconvan]

I'll second that. I'm not a fan of having to use a hub puller on those original brake drums. But it would probably survive fine with a 318 if you had your heart set on keeping it. 318s are great engines but generally don't make enough power to blow a rear end apart.

[Eneto-55]

My brother snapped the axle in my Dad's 1953 Dodge PU, and that was with the original flathead.  I don't know what he was doing, but it wasn't the only axle he broke, either. (The other was a non-MoPar.)

[cybermca]

i have a torqueflite from a motor home, so i have the trans brake system for emergency brakes....  sounds like just keeping the rear end in there for now is fine. i can always switch it over later if it breaks.

thanks for the input

[dpollo]

These rear ends are very strong compared to the competition.  A friend had a 322 Buick with all

standard Plymouth running gear in his 41 Plymouth and had no problems.  

I have twisted off two left rear axles  in 50 years and I cannot say it was  not due to abuse  but both breaks had

been there for years.  If the parking brake is not an issue I would give the original diff a try.

[CoronetGuy]

Since you are having a driveshaft built anyways, I would say now is the time to swap the rear axle. 

[Robert Horne]

i am doing a 318/727 small block conversion and have finally got the engine mounted up in the car.  next is drive shaft and exhaust.  since the original rear end is in perfect working order, is it worth getting a drive shaft made up to mate to it or will the v8 torque snap something in the next year.  i'm not going to be doing burnouts or anything since the motor is fairly mild.  just wondering if i should get an explorer rear end or be able to use the original for now....??

 

who has broken one?

Will you be happy with the gear ratio you now have?

 

My Coupe had a 3.9 rear which was way to low for me, even with 80hp and in hilly Virginia.

 

I made a temp adapter to try the Plymouth 3.9 rear first, glad I did.

 

I changed to a 3.7 Ford rear that does better, but could go to a 3.5 Jeep for the best ratio I believe.