Sorry for the delay in replying . . . I was in Salt Lake City on business and didn't get a chance to check out the B-Board during my stay.

My rear-end and original breaking components are in excellent shape -- besides -- my intention is to keep everying as '49 as possible -- with the excepion of a few period correct speed parts. Lower RPM free way cruising would be a bonus -- but I will stick with a working 4.11 if the swap to 3.55 is difficult or risks screwing something up.

With that said, let me re-phrase my question. Can I purchase a 3.55 ring and pinion from Patricks or elsewhere and just bolt it into my existing Diff? Should any thing else be replaced during the operation (bearings etc.)? How hard is this?

We're talking about a car . . . a 2-door Fleetline Fastback to be precise.

Chapter 4 of my '49 Shop Manual shows the need for some specialized tools to shim and adjust the ring and pinion and to check backlash. Can these steps be undertaken without these tools?

Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

regards,

stock49

[Linked Image from 49fastback.com]