What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

I'm going to start looking for a center section for the HO 52 In my 1950 3600. Like to find one with a factory limited slip. What type did the factory use in these axles, cone style, clutch style or locker style? What was the first year of use for the limited slip option?

Thanks,

Steve weim55 Colorado

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

Detroit Locker units were used in the Eaton chunks.
JQ

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

No limited slip was available, only the Detroit Locker for the corporate full-floaters. GM called it the No Spin option. Not sure of the first year. That rear goes back into the late-30s or maybe only the '40s, but there were some changes. Only one that made any limitations on swapping innards I believe, but would have to look into exactly what that was. Can't recall off the top of my head.

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

GM didn't offer a limited slip until 1957. And that was in cars.
I am not sure it was available in trucks until the 1960's
No idea what fits (if anything) your 1950

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

Are all HO52s of Eaton Mfg.? Detroit Locker (?!) that's great ! Over the years I've noticed many a 66 - 72 SPID in 3/4 - 1 tons with "NoSpin" on the option list. That must be the animal I'm looking for! My son pulled a complete center section from a '66 that was in turn swapped into a '41, direct bolt in. Hoping for the same for my '50......

Steve weim55 Colorado

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

GM calls the HO series rears "Corporate" rears. Never heard them called Eatons until I saw people calling them that here. Although it's Eaton who built the differential and that's what JQ2 meant by chunk. Have you tried asking this in the 47-55 forum? I know the HO52s ran way back in years through '72 but there were design changes. Where the line is drawn between our rears and the earlier ones is I am not sure. Might be 1960. I think the 1/2t rears used in the '50s went to then or somewhere near

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

There is a long thread on the HO52/72 on Pirate4x4.com in the Chevy section. If I remember correctly, you can swap a full float 14 bolt Detroit into the HO52/72 carrier if you use the correct length and spline count 14 bolt axles. That should make for a stronger setup than the factory no spin because the minor diameter of the axle will be larger than the old coarse spline setup.

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

14-bolt axles can be used with about 3/4" taken off the ends. People do this to enable using 14-bolt differential parts, such as R&P that is not available new (I don't think) for HO52. Also, 14-bolts came in 3.73 and 3.42 ratios. I had a guy call me looking deperately for drums to get his '72 rollback inspected to meet the minimum fleet requirement of a contract he was going for. He needed that truck passed like yesterday. I pondered a minute and thought about the whole diff/axle swap, then people adapting 14-bolt disc brake kits to HO rears and told him to try backing plates out off a 14-bolt. The next day he called to thank me for the suggestion. He got that contract. That's common knowledge now, but I had never seen it done here or anywhere back then. The 14-bolt was the next corporate rear. Not as much changed from the HOs on the inside, mostly size and shape outside

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

Wow?! So are you saying the later ('73 up) brake assy. with backing plates were a bolt on to that HO52?! I know it's a long shot for that type of exchange on an HO52 as old as my '50 but I'll certainly look into it. Looking to swap out the old huck style brakes anyway...........

Thanks,

Steve weim55 Colorado

Re: What is the factory limited slip in HO 52's?
 

Conversely my dually has a 14 bolt but the PO put the stock HO72 rear brakes on it. Why is a good question and I'll be upgrading it to 73-87 brakes that I have for it. The brake swap can go either way.