Rear axle in a 57 with a 6 cylinder

[Ed Hawkins]

I am in southern Maine. I moved a couple cars to storage put this car in my shop lifted the frame and moved the body up off the frame 4 inches. I removed the hood grill and support pieces took the seats out and some odds and ends. Most of the car was disassembled and thrown back together to sell. No glass except a broken windshield I have been looking gray tinted glass as long as it is not too dark. I have a 370:1 rear gear and a drain plug in the housing and a fill plug in the center section. I will disassemble later to put new bearing's and seals this winter. I did buy a second car but it is in pretty good shape so I will not strip it for parts. The big issue is no steering box. Does anybody know if a Mercury box is the same?     

[Ed Hawkins]

I have always wanted a 57 so in spite of the too many issues with the car ! I am enjoying the work!There are very few 57 Fords in this part of Maine so I have to do a lot of reading. I don't believe I have seen a 57 in 5 years.I purchased a 74 Thunderbird for the drive train and gave the rest to my son now I do not have to part it out. It was a very nice car and the person I bought it from no longer had inside storage for it. So a FE 390 3 speed is going into the car. I had a 57 rear axle from a F-100 and found that a rebuild kit for it was for a 1957/1961

 

[lalessi1]

I put a 390/3 speed in a '57 in 1967. It is basically a bolt up with the right parts. I also put a 3.89 "chuck" from a pick up I bought in the junk yard. The 57 axle housing and axles worked fine with the rear center section, I changed it in the car, I was 17. I love '57s partly because NOBODY around these parts has ever seen one! The 3 speed is the weak link though, I went through 13 of 'em back in the day"

Have FUN!

[Ed Hawkins]

At 17! I am at 77 and my first 57 Custom 300. I have a 370:1 rear center chuck in it already. I believe I will be done with the floor soon and the trunk,spare tire storage,side pieces are all in. Under coating and one wheel wheel repair. I know I could have bought a 57 Custom for less money than I will have in it. The best way to know a car is to build it!