Good news...I think...
My 52 is an early car I believe as it has the single range transmission. It appears to have a later rear end though.
The tag says 43/14 which equates to 3.07
Everything I've read says the early cars with a single range should have come with a 3.58
So likely someone has changed the rear end (not complaining...:) )
This would make the car more desirable right?
Rob
And the differential has a bolted-on rear cover? If yes, it's the later (Dana 44) axle. And yes, it's desirable because there's a wide range of ratios available, and since a lot of Ford and GM used the same axle, there are a lot of mechanics out there who are familiar with them. Oh yes . . . and the outer bearings aren't made of unobtanium. When the 3.07 axles came into use, Hudson and others went to the Dual-Range Hydramatic so you could hold it in 3rd gear when in "around town" circumstances, and slip into 4th when you were at 40 mph or so.
Rob - During the transition period of 1952, the Dana Rear End may have been installed before the Dual Range Hydramatics were available. At any rate, the 3.07 is superior to the 3.58 for our enjoyment of the cars
So, Rob, you have the shift indicator that just says "Hydra-matic Drive" instead of "Dual Range Hydra-matic," and you don't feel two separate detents near the "Dr" position?
Rob, The 3.07 are much better road gear than the 3.58. Even as a purist, I put a 3.07 diff. in my 51. I kept the 3.58 in case the next owner wants it. Out here in the flat lands the 3.58 was a real stump puller and not the best for the road. I had my 51 in the mountains with the 3.07 and have not had any problem. You can still get parts for the Dana 44 at almost any parts store
Thanks all!
Glad to hear the good news.
Yes, it has the bolted rear cover, and it is just the single range, no 3-4 option.
Rob
Leave a reply
