Parts needed for ratio change?

35Terra

Thinking about changing the ratio of the rear end. I have the front pumpkin. What else should be changed "while I'm in there"? Or what parts will have to be changed? Would like to know before tearing it apart so I can have some parts "on hand" if needed. Any suggestions?



Jim

Richard E.

Jim, I strongly suggest that you get in touch with Ivan Zaremba, he is in HET roster, near San Francisco. He is the US distributor of the 3:51 gear sets produced by the Railton Club in England. I assume that this is for your '35? I put a set of these in my 1936 Terraplane and I couldn't be happier. I can zoom along at 65mph on the freeway and I can still get up this really steep hill where I live in 2nd gear. There are some tricks to making these fit and Ivan should be able to give you that information. If not contact me and I will see that you get it. It is a less expensive alternative to the '40 OD and it allows you to keep you Electric Hand if you have one.

PAULARGETYPE

HI I HAVE NEW OLD STOCK 4.10 GEAR SETS IN MY FLEA MARKET PARTS THERE $100 A SET IF YOU WANT THEM CONTACT ME AT HETHUDSON1957@AOL.COM (DROP THE HET FROM MY ADDRESS)

35Terra

Huh.. I guess I should've given a little history first.



Yes it is a 35. I bought this car from my Aunt when my Uncle passed away in 2007. He installed a 3:31 ratio from a 53 Ford in it at one time. So everything worked fine at one time.



But put the stock 4:something (too lazy to jack up and count turns) back in to compete in the Indiana hill climb. He won his class by the way, but left in the higher ratio. I can get 50-55 mph on the highway but would like to get back to 60-65. 50mph feels so slow on a 65mph highway with cars zooming on by.



So in summary I have all the hard parts but didn't know if you ruin the seals or other parts during the change over. Was thinking about going to the meet in Fort Wayne in April and would like to cut some time off the trip...



Jim

Park_W

Sounds like you've got (or did have) a non-Hudson or at least a late stepdown Hudson rear axle under that car. Did your dad change out the entire axle assembly when he went with the 3.31, then put the original 4.11 assembly back under it? What became of the 3.31 setup that was once on the car? In any case, if you're just going to swap out the pumpkin, the only thing you need is the gasket between it and the axle housing.

35Terra

It has the original 35 rear end. The Ford 3:31 front pumpkin was installed by adding bolt holes (and some internal spacers I've been told). The Ford has ten bolts and the Hudson has eight bolts. Once installed you really can't tell a difference. I still have the 3:31 setup.



Only the gasket needs changed, that's good news. I was thinking one would have to replace more hard parts.



Thanks for all the replies.



Jim

Jon B

I assume that's the Ford-O-Matic ratio and I met a fellow from Ohio at the Nashville national who has one of these in his '35 (or is that you?). And it's a good fit for that Terraplane. So I would advise that you go on a Ford forum somewhere and ask which seals and bearings might need to be changed, and where to find these. The Ford guys will know the quirks of Ford rearends better than we will!

35Terra

Jon,



You are correct. Same Ford pumpkin and same car. Charlie was my Uncle (my Mom's brother). He passed away in June of 2007. I ended up with the car. It was great to have him as an Uncle, he taught me alot about cars. While I was doing a search on this subject I came across the thread that you recommended him to someone. But the thread was from Jan 08. I just remember him talking about installing this Ford pumpkin and he was giddy about being able to go 65-70 on the highway. He took the car to Reno, NV one year with the old ratio and he complained about going so slow. That must have been a long trip.



I have a pretty good freind who is a mechanic that said we could put the car up on his lift and swap it out. I'm going to take him up on his word.



Jim

Richard E.

I am very happy with the 3:51 gear set in my '36T. The stock 4:11 would be great for winning a hill climb, but there is nothing like being able to keep up with traffic without worrying about killing off the poor 212CI engine. Any good shop should be able to help you out. Good Luck.

Unknown

HECK. I had my Terraplane 8 out on Monday and was running 75 mph and not even pushing it, but of course I have 3.07 gears.

Unknown

Tombia, that's what I want behind my 37 212. What did you use, includeing speedo corection ? Bud

Unknown

37 Terraplane#2 wrote:

Tombia, that's what I want behind my 37 212. What did you use, includeing speedo corection ? Bud

Rear is a dana 44 out of a of a stepdown, moved the spring mounts in 1.5" on each side and removed the sway bar mount. Haven't changed the speedo driven gear, but one from a 3.07 gear car would work. I just marked on the original speedo glass proper marks for 30,40,50,60,70mph. etc. Also brazed 3/8" bolts on emergency brake cables to match original cross shaft. Watch the width, should be OK. Also I have a 2400# car with LOTS of torque. I can even still start in 2nd gear, no problem

ivanz62

What rear end do you have that has 3.07 gears?

Unknown

ivanz62 wrote:

What rear end do you have that has 3.07 gears?

Came out of a 52 or 53 with hydro.