Technical New Quickchange Parts for Old Style Hot Rods

I'm interested...

 

Well this is my definition of shortly.

This is an 11 bolt Halibrand Champ with H852 side plates. It is fully polished and has Buick finned drums, Wilson Welding backing plates, stainless acorn nuts, and all good stuff inside. The axle trumpets are just spray canned for now until the brackets are welded on and they get powder coated or chromed.

The pictures could be a lot better because the background is cluttered and I couldn't get the angles I wanted. When I get it out of the shop I'll take some more.

If you see Johnny Porter, tell him his rear end is prettier than John Cato's.

I hope this puts to rest any questions as to whether a guy should have a Quickchange or settle for a Ford 9".

 

You have really nailed it. That sets a new standard for hot rod rear ends. I want mine to be exactly like that. I'm sure more orders will come.

By the way, I looked it up last week. Someone is reproducing those Ford trumpet housings. Can't remember where right now.

 

Thanx Randy,

Johnny Porter has been very patient with this build. He has never seen this rear end till now. He bought it here on the HAMB and had it shipped to me. It was so nice that I talked him into getting it polished.
He still won't see it in person for a while. It's going to Ohio to get put under his chassis, then trailered to FL to get together.
We still need some more buyers for side plates. I'm putting together rear ends with the last two sets of originals I have. Both needed some pretty substantial work to get them into shape. As rare as they are getting, the price of used ones is about the same as a new set.
C'MON GUYS GET EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT!!!!!!!

 

Bruce, cant say enough about the quality of your work. The quickchange looks awesome ! I'm very happy with the results ! I'm also very happy I listened to your " guidance " regarding the polishing . Cant wait to get all the parts home to start assembly. Thanks again.

 

Btt

 

That whole rear end looks great!

 

Looks great. I think you need to locate some more Champs in order to sell more side plates. I look everyday and have come up short. The rear ends really look great when done as shown in your photos.

 

Btt for Bruce's side plates.

 

Are you planning on running E-Brake cables? If so please do a post or 2 on the cable entry into the finned backing plates! I have the same combo on the rear and you only get one chance to get it rite...................................

 

The parking brakes are out of my jurisdiction. Don't know who is doing them, or how or even if.

I'm doing one with Buick drums and backing plates. Makes that part easy.

Another one with wide 5 hubs, Buick drums and no E-brake.(early race car)

 

Lynn,
I have several Halibrand Champ centers. Just trying to decide which ones I need and which ones I can let go of.

I don't want to gouge anyone on price, but I'm inclined to auction them, to help finance the side plates.

 

I received a lead on one from the HAMB post and I will see where that leads me. I have never found any in recent years that were good and inexpensive. I used to pay $250 for a bare case sometimes with a lower shaft but not always. I only purchase excellent cases no welded pinions, snouts or broken holes in the bolt circle. You did my first QC in the 80's and it is still doing well under my heavy foot.

I did this one my self after retiring in 2001.

You did this one for me in the 80's. Note the Allen head countersunk bolts on the side plates. Your Trademark!

 

I think the countersunk flatheads really clean up the adaptor side plates. Not traditional but SMOOTH!

 

Btt for the side plates

 

I might be interested in the kit, or a whole rear.. Or a good case and some adaptor plates!

 

Btt for the side plates

 

How's it coming Bruce? Back up top for ya.

 

Here's a few pics of what 500 will get ya for the halibrand side plate adapters IF you can find them. I've seen some nicer pairs for 7-800. But I haven't seen another pair anywhere since I bought this pair almost a year ago
These will get the job done but the corrosion on em is pretty gnarly. Be awesome to have a fresh shiny pair. I hope some more of those checks have come in Bruce.

 

Yeah, those are rough. The brand new adaptors from GearheadsQCE are better and less expensive!

I would like to see a side-by-side photo of this new complete setup vs a V8 quickchange rear end.

 

I came up with this cut-n-paste of the Champ style vs the V8.

 

Two completely different looks under a hot rod are achieved with the Champ and V8 quick changes. Normally, the V8 looks better (smaller) under a Deuce while the Champ (larger) looks better under a 33/4 Ford. I prefer the Champ but that is just me. The V8, either a Halibrand or Winters, really are the choices of most builders today. The quality upgrades of the Winters is the way to go if you want serviceability and support from the manufacturer. Here are some photos to compare the looks of the two types.


My favorite is the Champ with the adapters for the early Ford axle housings. Today, this set up can be costly.

The new Winters is ready to go out of the box under $2500 with axles.​

The V8 just peeks out from under the gas tank on a Deuce.​

The Champ stands out for some serious HP.​

The V8 is by far more popular than the Champ.

AMBR has the V8 installed and looks sexy in my mind.​

 

Pew, completely agree - the V8 is great under a Deuce, the Model 40 NEEDS that bigger Champ.

Steve

 

My take on this is:
The visual appeal of the smaller Quickchange in the 32 and earlier cars is only partly due to the actual size. The actual flow of the V8 trumpets to the center section is the main reason that the combination looks so good.
Halibrand made some Champ bells that were smooth and gave that same look. But, even these had a 'step' where the bell met the 3" straight tube axle. I will try to find a way to post a picture of these. The only one I have is from an old Halibrand catalog and I do not have a scanner.

Anyway, I have no problem with anyone who wants to go the V8 route. I have given up on trying to buy, fix and sell Halibrand 201 rears. I got started doing this to 'save' money. These have become a 'collectors item' and too rich for my blood. There are some design flaws in the original (Sorry, Ted). Add up to 70 years of abuse and this can get expensive.
Winters, along with Dick Spadaro, have made a V8 sized Quickchange that addresses the problems. While they are good, they have limitations and are not all that inexpensive. I am a WD for Winters and can tell you that you are not going to buy even a bare bones unit with axles for $2500.
Speedway Motors sells that combination for $3200 and don't offer options. Options that a HAMBer may want or need. For more info on buying a Winters V8, or any Winters product, contact me through a conversation.

Back to Big QCs and side plates. One of the advantages that seems to be going largely unnoticed here is the ability to use these on other than a Halibrand center. There are many good used QCs available from racers and even having to buy new side plates to get the 'LOOK', a really great rear end can be built. The thing I like about this is the more conventional center sections are narrower than the Halibrand. The Frankland, Winters and many others, are 3 3/4" wide. Which, by the way, is the same width as the V8 center section.
So, you pays your money and you takes your choices.

 

Good luck with this. Somewhere down the line, I'm going to do a high horsepower rod. More than likely a '32 Sedan. This bigger units are the way to go so you don't need to worry about getting on it as much as a V8 unit.

Let's us know where you are at with this project. ​

 

I know. I kick myself for selling the one I had. I think I got it for $100 buck about 15 years ago. Sold it when I couldn't find the plates.

 

I have exactly 1/2 the number of orders that I need to pull the trigger. I have orders for 20 and need 40. That's pieces not pairs. We don't have 20 guys in all the HAMB that need these?

I've sold 5 sets of originals in the last year. I thought there was a market here.

 

How much do you think they will sell for?

 

Bruce, I have purchased several of the Halibrand smooth side bell QC's for my projects that were so popular in the 80 & 90's. They had problems with the pull out axles failing and many were pulled out and replaced with 9" rear ends for big hp motors. I loved the look and bought all I could find, usually very inexpensive but abused. I still think they look good but the center sections are still hard to come by if you want a non-abused unit. How much of an investment would it take to make a complete Champ center and these bells with an option for the early styles? Would you need some approvals from Halibrand? I don't think so (but maybe) as they are out of business. I know the CAE units looks the same and someone in San Diego called me about tooling up to make the center and fluted side adapters. This has been a couple of years ago so I guess the market/funding wasn't there.

I do believe you have the right idea but need someone like Speedway to give you a large order for their vast worldwide distribution system. I am old and not in the business anymore but I think their would be a market to compete against Winters if you could be competitive and still generate some profit to support your hobby….just a thought.


This one came out of Vic Edelbrock's roadster that Brizio built. Vic installed one of his new high hp engines and was afraid of the unit not holding up. I used to buy these complete units from the take out shops for under a grand.

 

Yes, I think there is a market for a Halibrand brand Champ center section and side plates — both smooth and stepped. The center section and differentials are the big deal breakers that caused the hold up. The industry needs all of the components to be available. QCE here in Santa Fe Springs used to supply all the differentials to Halibrand until they went BK and left him hanging with $$$ worth of parts. You may know him, his name is Frank and is an excellent machinist. You may want to contact him for some ideas. I would love to see you follow through on your dream and provide us Champ lovers with some nice new parts. I think you need to sell your idea to some investors like Speedway.