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 Stude rear axles, 50-51
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john grady
Champion Member

22 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  5:59:56 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
I have a few questions; someone may know answers. I have two 50 studes, one has 354 hemi in it; the following was not done by me, it came with smaller ford rear 'from a Comet" is all I know. I think this is a little wider than stude rear, as fender work was done to allow wlarger wheels but not sure , but it appears a close swap.

What got me wondering is, lately, in trying to find out more,while working on engine swap in the other 50, Stude's around 50 apparently used Dana 44's...is that true? Dana 44 is a reasonable axle, used in Jeeps even now . I realize internal parts from 1950 may be weaker, etc, but wonder if later 44 parts fit stude cases or if later 44's like from various JEEPs and Cherokess might fit, if a change is really required??

Alternatively,a custom 9" ford, or stock 9' from some model to fit might be smarter, easy parts find, etc and large drums. planning Mustang discs in front. Mainly trying to find someone who knows about Stude axles in general..what was in there? Is it a problem with a V8 ??

whacker
Golden Hawk Member

559 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  6:11:03 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
The stock axle is a Dana 27, not strong enough for a big V8, although is is OK with a six or a small V8. Later Studes used the Dana 44 with the V8, but they still used the Dana 27 with the 6. If you do a search on this forum, you will find lots of interchanges and advice for stronger axles.
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gordr
Commander Member

Canada
1712 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  6:18:33 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
The Dana 44 is a good choice, but you should use one with flanged axles, or buy the flanged axle conversion kit from Fairborn Studebaker. The tapered axles were OK with stock engines back in the day, but questionable with big torque.

Another thought is to use the 8.8" Ford axle. Cheaper and more plentiful than the 9" Ford, and more likely to be found in a suitable width. The 9" Ford axles are quite sought after, and can be pricey or hard to find now.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands
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N8N
Commander Member

USA
4485 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  6:24:39 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Visit N8N's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I don't think that a factory flanged axle will fit in a bulletnose, aren't the stock bullet nose axles narrower? I'd see if fairborn has a flanged axle conversion for the narrower 44.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
https://members.cox.net/njnagel
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lstude
Commander Member

USA
4770 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  6:33:33 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Visit lstude's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
I don't think that a factory flanged axle will fit in a bulletnose, aren't the stock bullet nose axles narrower? I'd see if fairborn has a flanged axle conversion for the narrower 44.

nate


You are right. I tried to put a 63 Lark rear end in my 52 Commander and it didn't clear the fender.

I used a 2002 GMC Sonoma rear end in mine. I just had to move the perches a half inch, and it fit between the fenders.

Leonard Shepherd
https://leonardshepherd.com/

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Jeff_H
Regal Member

USA
426 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  6:44:37 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote

quote:
it came with smaller ford rear 'from a Comet" is all I know.


Its probably a ford 8". Looks like the 9" with the removeable gear carrier only smaller? I have one in my '53 and it was about 1-1/2" narrower than the original dana 27. AFAIK these were last used by ford in about 1977. They were used in falcons, mustangs, comets, mavericks, etc.

Hope this is useful.



Jeff in ND

'53 Champion Hardtop
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54-61-62
Golden Hawk Member

759 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  7:14:10 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by whacker

The stock axle is a Dana 27, not strong enough for a big V8, although is is OK with a six or a small V8.



A Dana 27, is not strong enough to be used behind ANY Stude V8, even though the factory produced some. I've blown up model 27's behind a OHV six, I wouldn't ever consider running one behind a V8 for any length of time.
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john grady
Champion Member

22 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  7:34:34 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
good info; it appears what you are saying is that a 44 was not used at all in pre 53? they had v8 then obviously, so what was in those? The ford info on 8.8 is very good; that must be what is in the hemi 50. I also wondered if later Mustangs use that axle, as they are narrower?

Ideally, one would find a later strong axle about the same backing plate to backing plate as a 50 stude stock , and move perches if need be; I was looking at late 60's dodge dart slant six axles, usually pulled out by V8 swaps, looks about right too ; JEEP style 44's are another contender ,with huge after market support by 4x4 contingent, and various widths.. You can get anything fabbed in those, not that heavy $ compared with 100 hours into finding, humping home , cleaning and rebuilding say a ford and moving perches, brake lines and e brake stuff ...It would be nice to have a nice clean "we all agree" way to upgrade rear of pre 53 , or even later studes, to a late 44? .

What is in the S10? A GM 10 bolt? Those have been problems since day one..

Ford 9" are extremely common..every earlier F150 has one, but would need work on width, I would guess, unless some app has a narrow one..They too have strong after market support by drag guys, who swear by them .

Lots of good info; let's keep talk going -- thanks guys...
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Lothar
Cruiser Member

USA
242 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  7:49:45 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
Leonard
Could you post a couple detail pics of your Sonoma Rear axle install?



1950 Champion 4 Dr.
Holdrege NE

Edited by - Lothar on 12/25/2008 7:50:10 PM
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N8N
Commander Member

USA
4485 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  8:26:17 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Visit N8N's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I thought that the 44 was used in V-8 cars prior to '53 but was narrower than the 53-66 units, but I can't confirm or deny that (no old parts book.)

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
https://members.cox.net/njnagel
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54-61-62
Golden Hawk Member

759 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  8:50:45 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
I belive you are correct Nate.
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barnlark
Commander Member

USA
1671 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  9:08:44 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote

Originally posted by whacker

The stock axle is a Dana 27, not strong enough for a big V8, although is is OK with a six or a small V8.



Originally posted by 54-61-62



A Dana 27, is not strong enough to be used behind ANY Stude V8, even though the factory produced some. I've blown up model 27's behind a OHV six, I wouldn't ever consider running one behind a V8 for any length of time.



All three of my 1960 V/8 convertibles came stock with a 27. I never knew they were suspect. I have never had a problem arise to date with the diff. I now have a stock TT 44 I want to put in for my 289, but saving for the Fairborn package may take a few extra side jobs. Hopefully a '63 Studebaker Dana 44 isn't wider than a '60 27. I assumed they were the same.

Edited by - barnlark on 12/25/2008 9:10:15 PM
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N8N
Commander Member

USA
4485 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  10:20:34 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Visit N8N's Homepage  Reply with Quote
barnlark, they are the same. the difference we are talking about is the width of the entire axle assembly pre-53 and 53-up. 53-up are all the same width although if you change from a 27 to a 44 you may have to have your driveshaft shortened slightly. Otherwise, as long as you have the axle, spring plates, and U-bolts, it's a bolt in swap. you can even keep your old brakes

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
https://members.cox.net/njnagel
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whacker
Golden Hawk Member

559 Posts

Posted - 12/25/2008 :  10:23:24 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Reply with Quote
A good swap for the 51 axle is the Ford Ranger, available in several ratios, and only differs in length by 3/4 in, 3/8 per side, has the same bolt pattern, and very adaptable e-brake. However, although it will take a lot more that the Dana 27, it still isn't the strongest axle and isn't good for the really powerful V8's if you drive it hard.
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