Quick change rear question...

I have a 30 Ford coupe with a 39 banjo rear with 40 juice brakes. For most of you that know the answer this is going to be a stupid question but, if I were to get my hands on a quick change housing could I just use it in place of the cast iron banjo housing I'm running now? The existing rear is an open type.
Could someone give me a breakdown of what I need to fit a quick change into my existing rear end. I'm running a Merc flathead with a 39 3 speed box, so my existing axels etc. will be strong enough.

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You need a "V-8" style/size center section. You can buy new ones but most of what's out there in the used market are "Champ" (Championship) size. The V-8 has 10 bolts around its cir***ference; the Champ has either 11 or 12. The Champ won't bolt to your axle trumpets without adapter plates.

 

This might be what you need....http://www.****spadaro.com/quickchange.html

 

This will bolt right up in afternoon, get the smooth cover.

You should also replace all your bearings and seals will you've got the rear apart (unless it was rebuilt recently).

You'll also need to get a dial indicator to set the pinion backlash correctly.

 

This is another option. It can be used with either a torque tube or open drive type driveshaft. I guess you have already converted it to open drive?

http://hotrodworks.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp@id=16&cat=Quick+Change+Rear+Ends.html

 

Am I reading between the lines; that you just want to "swap" the cast iron housing, for a ""quick change housing?"

 

Digger Dave, well yeah, that could be another option? Is there much involved with that?

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This is a good read on QC rears....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300140&highlight=qc+rear

 

If you use a traditional style center that uses stock Ford ring and pinion and differential, you'll need to do the following:
1. dis***emble your rear end.
2. Machine the end of your pinion gear so it will fit into the rear cover bearing. (this ***umes you have a 6 spline pinion. You mentioned it was an open drive center. If it is the tapered pinion from a Pickup, it cannot be used in a QC.)
3. ***emble the ring, pinion and differential and axle housings to the center section. Set up the gear mesh pattern (may take shimming or machining), pinion bearing preload, differential bearing preload and back lash.
4. Reinstall your brakes, hubs and tires/wheels.
5. Put in your change gears and fill with oil.
6. Enjoy

I'd take the opportunity to put a rear end vent in an axle housing while it is dis***embled.

 

*****, all the others are "steering" you to the "Real Mcoy" quick change rear ends.
And YES .. QC's are neat.
A couple of points about using REAL QC's for street use. If it's a spur gear type; the "whine" from the rear end can drive you "nuts" on a long trip.
True; the ability of being able to change final ratio quickly - the name came easy! - for racing to street or to highway is a big plus.

But some times the ole budget can't quite take the strain.
No harm in having a phony, but REAL looking QC. (had one on one of my earlier rods)

To my knowledge I don't know of anyone that manufactures the "QC - appearing - stock replacement" center sections anymore. They didn't have cross through pinion shaft. The pinion input shaft was in the same position as stock. The housing behind the axle looked like a QC but didn't have anything inside.

 

I got mine from the Hot Rod Works boys. No question they can dial you in. Great guys to deal with.

Pachi

 

Thanks fellas for all the good information. If I wanted to build a stronger rear ear with a QC and early Ford bells and brakes what's the best way to go about it? With say 31 spline axels and a locker centre, can it be done to look traditional? Is there a HAMB Alliance vendor that I could contact?

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