Gents, I've got a line on a 40 Ford frame for parts... thinking of something like a Spadero conversion. I've always discounted them for serious road cars, but I might change my mind if you can convince me they can be reasonably quiet. And long lasting. And easy on the maintenance. I have no experience with them and don't know anyone who is running one. Thanx, Gary
You can get helical gears for teh spur gears that are just about silent, but they put more load on the bearing support surfaces. And they are gay...quick changes are supposed to make noise. If you have a car that is pretty sealed up with decent sound deadener, the noise will be pretty hard to notice. They really aren't "that" noisy. Strangely, some spur gear sets are louder than others. I have a set of 3.25s that are waaaay louder than my 2.80s and/or my 3.89s. As far as maintenance, a properly built quickie will last a lifetime under a hot rod. Check the fluid in the main housing and the spur gear area from time to time, and remember to refill the spur cavity when you change gear sets. The spur gears will wear over time but will still probably last 80 thousand miles or so. I have 15K on my 2.80s and about the same on my 3.89s and they still look perfect. Good luck and holler if you need any help, -Abone.
I have an original Halibrand converted to 28 spline axles with over 10 years of running on it, so that might speak to the longevity. "Quietness" is not something normally associated with a quickie, rather varying degrees of whine, depending on the tooth clearance of the straight cut spur gears. I can change gears and get a different pitch. Angled gears are made but supposedly put thrust on the rear cover. Cyclone Kevin is the HAMB QC guru, as is Dick Spadaro.
FlamedABone and HotRodA, I am getting ready to put my Champ in service soon, and have been told that I need to vent it so as not to cause foaming..............which I understand just like a normal rearend, and have one on top of the quick change, but a couple of people (sprint car guys) say I need to vent it to a small reservoir, then a return line to the quick change. How are your quick change units vented? Thanks for your help.
Putting diagonal cut gears in your quick change to quiet it down is like putting mufflers on a flathead...
I run an old Frankland QC with a magnisium housing and a spool. I have had no problems, but it is noisey, actually, it's like music.
You all might find this amusing, or not, but in addition to my own sanity on a long trip I've always thought a "stealth" hot rod would be fun. While it is a bit anti-rod, what if your rod was low, sleek, all black, had dark tinted windows, black wheels and very good mufflers? It would be the perfect ride for ripping thru town at O-dark thirty and no one would notice. I didn't say slow, just quiet. And sneaky. Seriously, I hope to take my new build on many, many long road trips. So every DB of quiet I can get is bound to be appreciated. Gary
I've got two quickchanges. One with the helical cut gears that's going in the long distance hauler and one with straight cut spur gears for short distance hauls. Now all I have to do is get off my ass and get them on the road. Where thay are right now, on a rack in the shop, there is no difference in the noise they make. Frank
Let's see... three cruises with my stateroom next to the port bow cat track; dropped chocks, chains, tow bars and afterburners 24 / 7 at times. A QC or flattie is nothing compared to that. The flattie might be the sound of hot rodding, but it ain't the sound of freedom. The QC is just needless noise unless you are racing. Regardless, I deserve some peace and quiet now and then in my old age when I want it. Gary
Mine vents with a flex line up into a small vented fill can in the trunk. Think it is a Moroso piece.
I have one in the back of my modified, The sound was worth every dollar! After putting it in it was neat as hell but i kept thinking there was a fire engine with its siren on coming up behind me!! I love the sound and paid dearly for but would never put "quiet" gears in it, that defeats the entire purpose of having one. If you like the look but dont like noise for what ever lame reason. Buy a gay faux cover. IMHO
If I can afford one, it will so I can reverse the gears and do some auto crossing, hill climbs, or other solo events like test and tune at the drag strip, not for the looks or the noise. I also have a keen interest in old circle track modifieds, so my first choices will be vintage Franklands with a big sump, even a non-QC late 40's 3/4T Ford truck diff (funky looking but I heard they were pretty heavy), and lastly something like the Spadero conversion or a new Winters / Halibrand / Tiger, etc.. Gary
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