VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 38 rear axle

I have a 38 chev 1/4 ton commercial with a dead diff centre (rusted gear faces). I managed to find a 35 master sedan rear end and now hope to be able to graft the 2 together. Different ratios arenot a problem but do they physicaly bolt together or are bolt holes in different positions. Grease monkey for a crust actually doing it is not a problem but I dont want to strip the 35 unit to find they wont swap.

tonyw----Yes the gears mmight work. First your truck should be what we call a one half ton
which is a HC series.The 1935 US Masters had an early and late style differntial (rear gears)The early type had a ball bearing rear pinion bearing-most gears will not work with this type.The late 1935 Masters & 1936 Masters had a roller bearing used for the reae pinion bearing and this will be the one you can use.All of the internal gears will be the same except for the two axle gears will not work as the truck has differnt splines on the axle shafts.

tonyw----Yes the gears mmight work. First your truck should be what we call a one half ton
which is a HC series.The 1935 US Masters had an early and late style differntial (rear gears)The early type had a ball bearing rear pinion bearing-most gears will not work with this type.The late 1935 Masters & 1936 Masters had a roller bearing used for the rear pinion bearing and this will be the one you can use.All of the internal gears will be the same except for the two axle gears will not work as the truck has differnt splines on the axle shafts.

the ratioshould be the same 9/37 gears.The outter housing will also not fit oly internal parts will be the same. I do not know hoe you can identify the two styles without disassembing the unit.

If you have a Ute or Coupe Pickup, it is a passenger car and has a hypoid axle. If you have a half ton truck, the 35 & 36 Spiral Beval gears will fit 37 - 39 half ton. The torque tube is a different length. Please look at web page < http://la.znet.com/~c1937/RPM.htm > for more information on rear end gear ratios and interchangeability. Use links at bottom of page to look at cars or trucks. Good Luck!!

Thanks Lou & Chev Nut. The info you posted has been helpful. I only need to get the axle gears now as the ones in the 38 are now scrap rust due to water where oil should have been.
The HC is a new term to me. I thought it was a S series
Chassis # S38 - 94
Holden Body # 127
Model Chev cab
Series Com
Job # Full door

Paint MR BRA GRY
D8 B4

Max weight Chassis 2320
Gross 5040
Keeping in mind I am in Aust
Thanks again