MTFCA Forum

Hi all,
Do rear axles have dates on them, or some kind of date codes to identify year/month of production? Thanks, John

NY John T wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2025 11:01 am

Hi all,
Do rear axles have dates on them, or some kind of date codes to identify year/month of production? Thanks, John

From experience, I say generally no.
My wide track rear end housings do have a 13 dated casting. Drive shaft housing is the 2 piece type commensurate with the early year.
The date is of little use identifying the cars production date. Last in, first out assembly.

Just wondering, if I rebuild a 26/27 rear will it fit my 25? Or do I have to rebuild the 25 itself? I believe brakes are different, right? Thanks

NY John T wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:05 pm

Just wondering, if I rebuild a 26/27 rear will it fit my 25? Or do I have to rebuild the 25 itself? I believe brakes are different, right? Thanks

25 would be a small drum parking brake. Very late 25' s may have come with the large drum.
Drums, radius rods, brake rods, cams & shoes are different.
Worth the change for the great parking brakes that can be used for service, every bit as good as RM brakes(IMHO), and, work in reverse also.
Not as ugly either. Depends on your "originality" standards.

John.... Henry Ford ordered upgrades to Thomas Edison's 1922 touring car in West Orange New Jersey to the large drum rear axle, 4 to 1 gearing ( mountain gears ) and also 20 inch demountables with balloon tires.... ( not 21's ).

As John states, it is an easy conversion if you just fit a whole big drum rear axle assembly. All the different bits will be taken care of. The big benefit is the much improved emergency brake.
I have seen more than one car here in Australia with the big drum rear axle, AND 30 x 3.5" clincher wheels. One such car is owned by the original Ford dealer who sold it and traded it back at a later date.

Allan from down under.