I recently was given a 9 inch rear end with 3.50 gears that I am planning on installing in my 49 half ton. It was partially disassembled when I got it. The third member and axles were out of it. I’m not sure what it came out of but it has 28 spline axles with the big bearings. My question is where do the axle seals go? It doesn’t appear to have any on it. Does anyone have any pictures showing the axle seals? Also, should I use a gasket when installing the third member? The guy at the local parts house said not to. He said to just use RTV. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Rick

 

Guy at local parts store is FOS.

Before doing too much, you better verify that 9 incher will work in a 1949...if it's a 9 incher made after 1972, it'll be too wide.

 

Your local NAPA store would be a great place to start. Just have the measurements of the beating diameter and the distance or the holes of the axle flange. Good Luck

 

I agree with the guys on making sure that rearend housing will fit in the 49. If it does, your axle seals are installed in the ends of the housing. The bearing on the axle actually butts up to the seal. You should see a seal if you look in the end. The seals are pressed in similar to the timing housing seal for the harmonic balancer. Seals are cheap and theres a little tool you can use to pound it in. As for the 3rd member, I have never used a gasket and only use the Ultra black gasket sealer. In fact, my buddy has a rearend shop and he doesn't use a gasket either. The silicon will seal it. I also use silicone on the bearing plates that bolt up to the brake housing. Let's see, I've removed my 3.0's, put 3.5's in, then took them out and put 2.75's in all within a 2months period. I have no leaks at all. Good luck with the rear end.

 

Read "Stupid bonehead" thread on this same page.I guess it is easy to install them backwards. Have a great day, chuck

 

There is a gasket as ND says, but most shops, even the NASCAR guys just use RTV.

 

I also used the ultra black gasket sealer. When I inquired about a gasket the local parts house quoted me 5 bucks for the gasket and another 6 for shipping. Yeah, right!

When you install the seals be sure the recessed part of the seal faces inward. Don't ask me how I know...

 

Thanks for the help guys. I measured the housing and its a couple inches shorter than than the stock one so it should work. 49fordpickumup, thanks for the tip. If there is two ways to install them I’m sure I would have put them in backwards.

 

Allright! It looks like you'll fit right in here with the rest of us.

Here's a little bit of reading on 9" Ford Diffs;
http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

Bobby