Pre 1957 rear ends?

[Restomoder]

Hello everyone, brand new here. Came over from for a bodies only, as my son has bought himself a 1956 custom royal. Two questions.
Very first question what type of rear ends did Chrysler use prior to 1957 when the 8.75 came out.
His 1956 came with a 315 poly, and an automatic.
Also what automatic transmissions was Chrysler using in 1956? And prior?

 

[Davea Lux]

Hello everyone, brand new here. Came over from for a bodies only, as my son has bought himself a 1956 custom royal. Two questions.
Very first question what type of rear ends did Chrysler use prior to 1957 when the 8.75 came out.
His 1956 came with a 315 poly, and an automatic.
Also what automatic transmissions was Chrysler using in 1956? And prior?

View attachment 402168

View attachment 402169

The transmission is either a 2 speed powerflite ('54-'61) or a 3 speed torqueflite ('56-'61) model A488, the so called cast iron torqueflite. The 3 speed transmission will have 3 forward push buttons, the two speed has only two. The rear end is a Chrysler corporate tapered axle rear end. www.oldmoparts.com usually has most of the rear end parts.

Dave

 

[oldkimmer]

If it’s the pumpkin style it’s an 8 1/4. It has 11 bolts holding it in. Kim

 

[57fury440]

No torqueflites in 56. If it has an automatic it should be a powerflite. It could also have a 3 speed stick shift on the column.

 

[Restomoder]

Powerflite it is.
So a bit of research on the rear end, from what I gather they had 8 3/4 rears prior to 1957. They just weren't the 8 3/4 we all know from post 57?
Quick research has got me this far.
It should have a rear end that I believe has an 8 3/4 carrier, the drums are somehow pressed togeather with the axle?? I'll need some sort of puller thing to change pads. People like to swap to some other sort of rear end to avoid this hassle. Anything I'm missing?

 

[oldkimmer]

Like I said, it’s an 8 1/4. On the drivers side middle on the pumpkin there will be 2 studs with nuts instead of only 1 stud and nut. So 11 studs and nuts total around the pumpkin. When u take the pumpkin out u will see 8 1/4 on the top of the passenger side saddle. Yes there is special pullers. I think 2 for sale on FABO. Kim

 

[Davea Lux]

No torqueflites in 56. If it has an automatic it should be a powerflite. It could also have a 3 speed stick shift on the column.

I had to go check the manual on this one, the torqueflite was offered in '56 but only on the Chrysler line, so you are correct. Appeared on Plymouth, Chrysler and Dodge for '57.

Dave

Powerflite it is.
So a bit of research on the rear end, from what I gather they had 8 3/4 rears prior to 1957. They just weren't the 8 3/4 we all know from post 57?
Quick research has got me this far.
It should have a rear end that I believe has an 8 3/4 carrier, the drums are somehow pressed togeather with the axle?? I'll need some sort of puller thing to change pads. People like to swap to some other sort of rear end to avoid this hassle. Anything I'm missing?

Aside from being a PIA to work on, the tapered axle rear ends were a pretty good unit. If you want to change it to a more modern unit, you will also need to update the drive line. Mopars of this era used ball and trunion u-joints that bolted to the rear end and transmission via a flange and that is incompatible with modern u-joints. There is a custom drive line kit available to make the conversion and it runs about $500 plus the shipping. If it was mine, I would invest in the Ford Brake Drum puller for about $40 and rebuild what I had.

Dave

 

[CBODY67]

I was thinking the '56 TorqueFlites were an Imperial-only item, with full-line availability in '57? www.jholst.net for '55-'65 Chrysler parts books and service literature. The main thrust of the siet is for 300 Letter cars, but they used the same parts book as normal Chrysler products, in general.

Seems like I've seen ads for the conversion driveshafts in the Walter P. Chrysler Club magazines?

It would be neat to rebuild/refurbish the existing drivetrain, to me. Maybe with an incognito electronic ignition/voltage regulator upgrade?

Those Dodges were pretty spiffy-looking cars when new. There are a few YouTube commercials that are neat to watch.

Enjoy!
CBODY67