Alright this is probably a stupid question and I'm pretty sure I already know the answer but figured I'd ask anyway...

I'm putting the 360 Big Block into the F1 and the plan was to buy a 9 inch from an F100 to stick in there but the budget is wearing thin so I'm curious... the stock rear end in the '49/'50 F1's... how much abuse can they take?

I'm not gonna be dropping the clutch or anything but the motor should put out a very healthy torque figure... Thoughts? Should I save and cop the cost of the 9inch or think the stock one will take it?

 

I'd spring for a 9". The rear end won't be able to keep up with the RPMs.

 

Not just the torque, but think about mph and if you want the original ratio... will the stock gears put you at redline trying to keep up on the freeway? I opted for a 9" and lower gears just to hear myself in the cab... I'll bet two good reasons are enough to do the swap.

 

If you're budget is getting too thin and you just want to drive for a bit, get the powertrain in there and expect to have to replace the rear soon. It will give you a little time to drive it around and have some fun, just don't go too far in case it completely fails on you... actually expect it to do so till you get it swapped out.

Just an idea.

Try craigslist for the 9", around here they are pretty cheap for one out of a truck ($200 or so). Post a want ad, you'll find a lot more that way.

 

As always Abby is thinkin more than me Yes, I do have to agree - get it to drivable first then make those kind of decisions. Not like some more massive changes, that one can be done in a weekend if you are out of practice and a day if you are quick with a wrench.

 

When you get right down to it, a "regular" 9" isn't that much stronger than a D-44. You'll want one with 31 splines, big wheel bearings, all of that. They don't go cheap. Ask Snook715, he's going thru that now.

 

A guy on here told me they kept the stock rear axle in their 51 or 52 they had put a 350 chevy in and drag raced it. He said the original rear axle lasted 30+ drag races before it broke. I thought that was pretty good for a 60 year old axle.