VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1953 belair rear end width

Can someone settle a dispute between my friend and I.
How wide is a 53 rear axle with a powerglide tranny? And is the manual different than the automatic?
Thx

Gear ratios are different for P/G vs standard.

Rear end width is 60", not counting fractions of an inch, if any.

Measurement is drum to drum, where wheel mounts to drum surface.

I assume you are refering to the tread width. This is the measurement of the distance between the rear wheels (wheel to wheel) and is made at the center of the tire.
The measureent on all 1949-1953 cars was the same at 58 3/4" which was 1 and 1/4" narrower than the 1941-1948 models.
Transmission has nothing to do with it.

OK thanks. I won lunch today! He said they are the same width as my 35. HA!
Out of curiousity, whats the ratio difference?

In 1953 and 1954 the stick had a 3.70 ratio and the Power Glide a 3.55.
From 1949-1952 the stick had a 4.11 with a 3.73 optional up to 1949. 1950-1952 PG HAD 3.55.
The 1935 Standard rear tread was 56" and the Master 57 9/16"
Both had a 4.11 ratio
Just about every 1930-1952Chevrolet stick had a 4.1 ratio (except the 1937-1940 lowest price models had a 3.73 and the 1950-1952 PGs 3.55)
Options were generally available from 1935-1949 but seldom found.
The 4.11 was a common ratio for many cars of that time with some GM cars running in the neighbor hood of 4.3 and 1937 and up Fords a 3.78.
In the 30,s and early '40's some GM cars had a standard ratio of like 4.3 and a mountain ratio around 4.5 and a plains ratio of 3.9 or 4.11.
As an extreem some 1934 Oldsmobiles , Buicks and LaSalles had a 4.7 ratio standard.
For the other extreem 1 the 1939-1946 Mercury had 3.56. Was also used in the 1946 Ford and owners complained about the poor high gear performance and they switched back to their 3.78 in 1947.

You are truly the current day "Mr. Chevrolet!" Thanks