I'm pretty well equipped here. I have a mill and lathe as well as all the welding stuff. I am pretty much self taught , so when I get bits of advice from real machinists like yourself I take all I can get. Thanks again Denny!
alright, you've proved you can do it. Now start popping out complete rear sections instead of just conversion kits!
Read this from stem to stern and your pull out axle thread too. There are several QC’s that I can say have been made such as this. The late Okie Adams comes to mind who made his versions out of Cook’s Machine Works-Cyclone Racing Equipment and Blair’s Speed Shop. This is a very good tutorial for guys that are just looking for something different and being extremely resourceful. Great Job Jethro!!!!!!!!!
Thanks C K ! I have always been fascinated by the ingenuity of the gentlemen who have gone before us. Taking something perfectly functional and improving it for speed sports. I know I could (if I had money) buy whatever I want . There are so many products available to build any level of performance you could ever need. Mr Edelbrock , Mr Hilborn , Mr Halibrand all saw a need for a product and with an idea and a dream made the hobby what it is today. I'm sure that there were a number of like minded individuals that had the same vision and said to themselves "If he can do it so can I" , maybe not going into production but building performance into their cars in dirt floor garages or high school auto shop. I'm not quite a Grey Beard yet , I have a few silver chin whiskers but I have gleaned a lot of knowledge from some of the elder statesmen who have shared their experience and tales of the past. I've seen a number of brilliant young guys on here who are going to take the hobby into the future. I only hope young guys ( and gals) keep the torch burning so our love of greasy things never fades.
This is absolutely awesome! Glad to see that its been completed! When the swap meets start up in a few months here in Washington, I will cruise around for a banjo rear end so I can do this too!
What's old is new again. Highland Machine used to make a 6 spline qc starting with the old Ford 3/4 ton truck rears. Relatively inexpensive compared to a Frankland CAE or Halibrand rear for northeast dirt modifieds, but HEAVY! Anyway I love the craftsmanship you have done here.
I'm glad there are still pics of this in this old thread. What size are your mill and lathe? I'm not sure mine can handle this build.
My lathe is 14 x 40 and my mill is 9 x 42 Induma which is an Italian Bridgeport. Anything other than a tiny hobby lathe and mill would probably be sufficient.
Here's one we made after being inspired by guys like you. We basically copied an old Frankland, but sized the lower end to take a readily available repro Halibrand 201 lower shaft. The last pic is our new cover propped up to the original Frankland.
@alchemy that looks real nice! Your machining jig looks bomb proof. If I was going to do another one I would buy my lower shaft also. Just a little update... I finally got the General on the road and have about 500 miles on it so far . The rear works good albeit a little noisy . I had my ring gear back brace a bit tight and when I loosened it a touch my gear noise went away by half. Still noticeable but now sounds like a truck transmission with straight cut gears. I also have a little porosity in the rear cover that I cast. I get a bit of gear oil weeping after a run . Not too bad just have to wipe it with a rag , not enough to drip. All in all it was a satisfying project !
A bump for those who are new, who missed it or need a reminder. Such a great project! @Jethro you are an inspiration!
So , I have been driving the coupe with this quickchange for a couple thousand miles. No major issues or problems just some oil weeping from the cover which I assume is pososity because the gasket area is dry and it only weeps when it's warm after a good drive of an hour or so. But there are a few things that I wanted to change , mostly appearance and refinement. I spent the last week or so changing the patterns and casting the new pieces. It's supposed to rain the next few days so I'll machine the castings and see what they look like. So far I like the way they look and I'm proud enough to put my name and country on them too.
The Jalopy Journal
