No, I don't mean JLo or Kim Kardashian (perhaps in a later thread? :)). I'm talking Volvo rears. Specifically PV rear ends (I guess). My '59 445 rear end is tagged "50-11". Thanks to news-groupers who responded to a post I made in 2008 I understand this means it has 50 ring gear teeth and 11 pinion gear teeth, and Dana/Spicers use a 41-9 to achieve a 4:56 ratio. And that means it's geared for better off-the-line pick-up, but creates a lot of noise & I guess limits my top end (I can attest to the noise & limited top end!).
My rear has developed a rattling noise. When changing the gear fluid in the rear I noticed some metal in the gear oil. So, I've been thinking that perhaps instead of just repairing my rear that perhaps this might be a good time to try & find a rear end that's more highway friendly that will bolt up to my B16 (I'm hoping the dual SU's will mitigate some of the off-the-line-torque loss through a higher-geared rear end (or is that a lower-geared read end? Not sure which it is).
So,in summary, what rear ends, which have better cruising speeds did Volvo make that would bolt on to a B16? Anyone have one laying around that they would be willing to part with, or, know where I might locate one?
Your thoughts would be gratefully appreciated by this mechanically-challenged PV enthusiast.
Jim Pascale