sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but im just gathering ideas. In my car i would like a rear mounted transmission (not a transaxel) for weight distribution. could one put a solid rear axel with a rear mounted transmission, i dont think you can do it with a transaxel.... if someone could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.
You could do it, but the unsprung weight would be insane, as would the size of the suspension components to handle the weight of the combined gearbox and diff. there is a very good reason this system isnt, and hardly ever was, used by manufacturers. on solid mounted rear engined racecars it works, but that isnt what you mean ,i gather. transaxles are another story, but not relevant to this board. If you are trying to equalise weight distribution there are other ways, engine setback, position of ancillaries, light weight components thru one end of the car etc..
i think the early tempests had something like this but i'm only goin from memory. maybe someone else will know
The Tempest design had half shafts and rear A-Arms that looked a lot like GM front A-Arms of the same period.
I have a Moore 2 speed mounted to the front of the rear end of my 1922 antique racer. 2 speeds in the stock trans and 2 in the rear gives 4 speeds foreward and 2 reverse speeds . Moore also made conversions to make a tractor out of a model T. I need to do a new restoration and I will add a lot more padding to the seats because It is very rough riding.
A de Dion tube is an automobile suspension technology that uses an IRS type center section with half shafts but a curved tube axle from hub to hub, It was used on a few foreign cars. lighter unsprung weight with out the angle change geometry when a wheel moves up and down.
If the transmission moves with suspension travel, it would be aweful tough to get a mechanical shift linkage to work-- that's for sure. As stated above, the Lemans actually had IRS....and, so did the corvette in '63. I don't see that it's that horribly O/T. BUT- You would probably still want to have the clutch ***embly/torque converter mounted to the engine....so really, all we're talking about is moving about 100 lbs- about 6 feet rearward. There are alot easier ways....
My brother had a printing buiness, Did a book for Francisco that wrote for Hot Rod in the 50's and 60's. One time I saw the add proofs for an aluminum casting that used chevy T10 gears and a hallibrand quick change all in one case ...I can't remember if it was IRS or solid or who designed and was selling it.
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