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Thread: 53 Buick Rear Width???

  1. #1

    53 Buick Rear Width???

    Does anyone Know the width of a '53 Buick Special rear from flange to flange? Other sites say most Early Buick rears are 58-61 inches, and I cant get an accurate measurement with the pumpkin in the way. I'm planning a complete open driveline and suspension swap and need a definate answer. Thanks in advance guys.

    -Tim

  2. #2
    Anybody? *crickets*

  3. #3
    Tim (NJ53Special),

    I thought I might be able to at least help someone else help you -- but I'm drawing a blank. Maybe everyone else is as well.

    I looked in my Hollender book and it says that a '53 Buick Special (Model 40) rear axle housing is interchangable with any '51-'53 Model 40. Not a big help there.

    Then I looked in my 56 Shop Manual to see what the exact measurements were and I can't find anything there either.

    I think your best bet to obtain that measurement may be to devise a means to clamp rigid straight edges to the flanges and measure the distance between them. Pieces of flat iron with spring clamps comes to mind. That way you'll have a means to measure the replacement candidate and be "sure" that it will fit.

    Sorry for being no help.

    BJ

  4. #4
    Well I talked to some people that put late model rears under 53's and one guy used a 82 Monte Carlo rear, which I was able to look up as 58 inches, and another guy used an 87 Old rear, which I looked up to be 581/2 inches. So I have come to the conclusion that the rear is probably 58 inches. I'm goin to just go out to the garage with some straightedges, magnets, string, tape, tapmeasures and measure it correctly. Thanks for your input.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Tim, were you able to measure the width of your rear?



    Fryguy

  6. #6
    No, but i'm pretty sure its 58 Inches. Paul the straight 8 is really bad, the cam is frozen in the block, if I were you I wouldn't waste my time making the trip.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Not a problem, Tim. I was hoping to try and salvage the head and/or cam. Hope all is well.



    Paul

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
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    I have an 86 Olds rearend (58-inches wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface, using the straight edge method to measure).

    I was going to put it under my 52 Super but am going a different direction now. Its all prep'd with brackets removed. I was getting it ready for a parallel four link setup (with future airbags), it has new brake shoes and turned drums. I have the spring mount brackets and they gave me the coil springs. Its in Lincoln NE but I would be willing to deal.

  9. #9
    If you find out, let me know...I have a '53 Special, and I'm doin' an axle swap as well, and I need to know if my donor axle will fit, or if I have to have it shortened.
    Nate "Snake-Man" Shmay
    Club President/Pinstriper
    "Devil's Pit" Hotrod Club
    Thief River Falls, MN


  10. #10
    Just found this table on the Stovebolt forum...hope this helps.

    Original Vehicles
    Rear Suspension Width (Flange to Flange) Year Classic Vehicles Width
    26-39 Plymouth-Dodge car/pick up 56-58"
    40-52 Plymouth-Dodge car 60-62"
    26-39 Chrysler/DeSoto Car 60"
    Most Early Mopar's 56-62"
    25-39 Chevy Car 56-58"
    26-46 Chevy Truck 56-58"
    40-48 Chevy Car 58-60"
    49-54 Chevy Car 58-60"
    47-54 & 55 1st Series Chevy Truck 60-62"
    Most Early Buick,Olds, Pontiac 58-61"
    28-31 **** Car/Pickup 57 1/2"
    32 & 33-34 **** Car/Pickup 56 1/2"
    35-48 **** Car 57-60"
    35-41 **** Pickup 56-60"
    49-58 **** Car 57-58"
    49-56 Mercury 57-58"
    49-51 Mercury 61"
    64 Falcon 58"
    67 Cougar 60"
    55-59 Chevy Pickup 62"
    Nate "Snake-Man" Shmay
    Club President/Pinstriper
    "Devil's Pit" Hotrod Club
    Thief River Falls, MN


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