Will a Dana 44 pass tech at Bonneville? I know the GMs that use clips to retain the axles won't. I'd like to use a 44 posi that I have. Thanks, Beater

Tom,

I don't think it will, kinda fuzzy but remember reading somewhere that they require c clip eliminators.

You have to have C clip eliminators. 2008 rule book page 18 section 2E.

Clip eliminators, or you could have it converted over to a floater setup. (but the clip eliminators are likely gonna be cheaper).

I would recommend you go to a 9" Ford, lots of gear choices..

I've got a few 44 limited slips laying around.4.56,3.73, 3.54, 3.08, & 2.73.

That's quite the spread.

Is your plan to make them all fit in one housing (or at least your best guess and the one to either side), or swap the housing and all?

These are all complete rear ends. I'm thinking about the using the 2.73 or 3.08. I have a good 3 speed Saginaw OD trans. With the 2.73 and 30" tires and 5,000 rpms =150 + mph. That's enough for now! That's not using the OD. I know it's not that simple but it's a goal.

Don't forget in your calculations for the gears, that you have about a 1" tire growth at speed. The Goodyear LSR tires grow 1" taller and 1/2" on the sides at speed.

Where is the best source for the LSR tires....

The two companies I have used is Nate Jones Tire Co., 562-597-3369 in SOCAL and Roger Kraus Racing 510-582-5031 http://www.rogerkrausracing.com in NORCAL. They both have lots of experience with LSR. You can get the specs from Good Year racing http://www.racegoodyear.com/tires/pdf/drag.pdf about half way down the page are the LSR tires. Carrol Shelby is also good for LSR tires and is the master distributor for LSR tires.

Ok thanks!

How about that, I knew Shelby and Goodyear were tight, but I had no idea he was covering the LSR tire deal.

Thanks.

Ok Boys, now I'm really confused. I didn't think I messed with "C" clips when I put the rear end together for my '53. This morning I pulled an axle out of the 3.07 and no "C" clips. That's the way it is in the Stude too. The axle is held in by a plate and four bolts that retain the bearing which is pressed onto the axle. A ring is then pressed on to further hold the bearing. Here's some pictures. The last three are the dry lake I see from my shop. A little daily reminder!
44-1

Since you don't have C clips you don't need to worry about it. I would say that rear is OK to use. What truck body are you using?

It'll be in a '50 GMC. I asked the question originally because I couldn't remember and the info I could find on GM rear ends all had c clips. So now we know for sure. I'm glad I looked. Thanks, Beater

Is that a B O P rear end if so many had retainer plates instead of c clips. I have one out of a 70 tempest like the one in your picture.

B O P ? Big Ol' Pontiac? The date on the ring gear is '61 and with the 6 lug axles it must have been a 1/2 ton. The mounts are angled so it was a coil spring set up. I may use that system.

'Welding rings' and retainer plates should be enough, only gripe I could see is the retainers are kinda short (compared to the Ford and other hotchkis style rear ends I have tinkered with).

Beater: My Pontiacs had the same style ring behind the bearing as the ones in the photo. (non C-clip rear) I never liked them. I had the rings similar to a Ford 9" pressed on when I installed new bearings but needed to grind a 45 on the back side to clear the housing.
The axles in the photo don't appear to have the place for the clip and the ring meets the specifcations for the SCTA. I just didn't like the factory rings for a racing application. Good luck. JD

JD, Another thank you. I am going to use the 44. The 2.73 gears look good. I may try your ring tip. Tom

Jimmy six #35 where did you get rings as you describe? Or did you have them made?

I believe the Pontiac had the same diameter axle as one of the Fords. (Pontiac/Olds has 2 different diameter axles). When I had the bearings changed I asked the guy doing it about the retainer rings and told him I wanted something a little better. The problem of grinding the 45 on the back side of the ring happened when I could not get the axle in all the way to bolt on the front plate. The bearing he pressed on was also thicker an it may have been a Ford also.

I first did this in 1975, a little tough to remember everything.

Thanks

I always thought th 9" Pontiac had larger diameter axles, but then, it stands to reason there would be more than one size.