306s in 1955?

[John S.]

in nolan's restoration guide he mentions the use of the rear end "like that of a 56 corvette" when the earliest 3-speeds were being made. checking rear end numbers i see the 3707306 was produced in both 55 and 56, but it wasn't till 56 that they were used in corvettes. why would this rear end be used? do any other owners of cars between 1350 and 1600 have a "56 like" or 306. in viewing the assembly line process the rear ends are installed well ahead of the motor and transmission. could several automatics also have these "56 type rear ends"?

[Roy B.]

Re: 306s in 1955?

The 53 to 55 used the same rear end housing, the third member Ring and pinion is like no other type unit ,no other cars used the same ring and pinion. If it goes bad your out with no replacement parts If it does go bad you then to have add a 56 up Corvette unit( housing and third unit) . The ring and pinion are the weakest part in a 53-55.All other parts can be found or rebuilt ,but the the rear end Is this what your asking??

[Mike M.]

Re: 306s in 1955?

in nolan's restoration guide he mentions the use of the rear end "like that of a 56 corvette" when the earliest 3-speeds were being made. checking rear end numbers i see the 3707306 was produced in both 55 and 56, but it wasn't till 56 that they were used in corvettes. why would this rear end be used? do any other owners of cars between 1350 and 1600 have a "56 like" or 306. in viewing the assembly line process the rear ends are installed well ahead of the motor and transmission. could several automatics also have these "56 type rear ends"?

55 vin 1416 has the 53-54 style differential housing. its a 265 automatic.as roy notes, the 53-55 are super unique. mike

[John S.]

Re: 306s in 1955?

from reading nolan's comments on the first 3-speeds there was the thought that the 56 type rear ends were originally used on some 55s. although it is not documented, a 56 type rear end is a similar feature of these cars. early 3-speed cars mentioned 1353,1422, 1551 ,1578. as i inspect car 1576 i find the imprint of a clutch bar in the original firewall insullation (same imprint as in nolan's book, page 66). rear end is also a 56 style (306) , which appears to be what other owner claim to be original. although i accept that the rear end might have been replaced, i have to wonder if 1576 might have originally had this rear end.

[Dan D.]

Re: 306s in 1955?

I have owned a 1954 since 1961 and it was up against a 327 engine for 8 years. I know the original rear end was unique. Don't know, but I thought is was maybe a 1954 passenger car torque tube rear end converted to open driveshaft. I say that because it has the suicide type axles - held in by a clip inside the spider gears. If the axle breaks, it comes out. The axle bearings are free roller bearings - they just sit in the axle housing with the axle being the inner race. Interesting enough, the ring and pinion never failed, even up against the 327 engine, and I never drove it easy back then. They do not appear to be worn, and it is quiet. But what has taken a beating is the small spider gears. They are badly worn and deformed from all that power, and are ready to fail. My thought was possibly 1954 car spiders might fit - if you could find them. Don't know. -Dan -

[Roy B.]

Re: 306s in 1955?

I have owned a 1954 since 1961 and it was up against a 327 engine for 8 years. I know the original rear end was unique. Don't know, but I thought is was maybe a 1954 passenger car torque tube rear end converted to open driveshaft. I say that because it has the suicide type axles - held in by a clip inside the spider gears. If the axle breaks, it comes out. The axle bearings are free roller bearings - they just sit in the axle housing with the axle being the inner race. Interesting enough, the ring and pinion never failed, even up against the 327 engine, and I never drove it easy back then. They do not appear to be worn, and it is quiet. But what has taken a beating is the small spider gears. They are badly worn and deformed from all that power, and are ready to fail. My thought was possibly 1954 car spiders might fit - if you could find them. Don't know. -Dan -

Yes they are the same and are not hard to locate Chevy guys