How close does it look to the real thing, externally? I realize it's the only way to go if you are running anything more powerful than a flathead. http://www.south40streetrods.com/RodsvilleV-8Quickchange.html
The Rodsville case is as close to the Halibrand as you are going to get. But, it still uses original Ford guts. So it is no stronger than a stock banjo rear end. The Winters V8 with their locking differential (not the Spadaro unit) is much stronger but it is not an exact Halibrand clone.
My only point is that the Rodsville case does not make the rear end any stronger than a stock banjo. You can break anything.
Case stronger? Well it's made out of modern aluminum which I'd say is better and not brittle like order aluminum. As for the internals as said, you're limited as to what you use. You can always modify it for slide in axles, that's what I did. You CAN break anything though. I'd say you'd be fine in a T roadster. I have a Rodsville behind a 400hp hemi, just have to remember not to dump the clutch and hook! Am I asking for problems? Probably, we'll see!
My two cents. I've done several ch***is with a factory ***embled Halibrands in the past and had issues after some miles. I've never had a Rodsville. I'm currently doing 3 ch***is with Winters V/8 rears 2 with their early bells and the other is their standard V/8 rear. I've lost track of how many Winters I've done, some Champs but mostly V/8s, and I have yet to have a call with problems. If I was going to do a Rodsville I would have the boys at HotRod Works in Idaho do the ***embly, they're the best!
Minewithnoshine says it best. Sid builds an awesome piece, and if not mistaken, has beefed up the case. Like any other part, their is a weak link. I just know and seen Sigs work and it is beautiful and finely machined using best technology. www.south40streetrods.com V
We build both Halibrand and Rodsville quickchange rears. The quality of Sigs (Rodsville) rear is exceptional! A lot of the time the ***embly is done incorrectly and the rear gets the blame. It is not simply a backyard throw together. Many hours go into the correct ***embly of a quickchange. People tend to buy cheap bearings (China) and have subsequent failures. If you need one ***embled Call me Dave 518 356 0381 or Ron 518 756 8415 we are Culver City Quickcgange, and have many years experience with all brands, and can do your ***embly correctly. We are a Rodsville Dealer as well as a Hot Rod Works Dealer and are located in Upstate New York.
I was faced with the same choice. Power is an Ardun, ****** is 39 with 25 tooth Zephyrs. I didn't have a quickchange case, but had a Culver City cover plate which I wanted to use. I also wanted bevel-cut QC gears, which howl less than straight cuts. I figured my choices were limited to Halibrand and Rodsville. The Rodsville people said I could use the old Halibrand cover on their case. Talking it over with Nick at Hot Rod Works in Idaho, however, using bevel cut gears requires diferent, larger cover plate bearings as the beveled gears produce a lot of end thrust against the cover plate. The Culver City end plate bearing bosses were too small to accomodate the larger diameter bearings, so I used a Rodsville cover plate whose bearing castings are slightly larger in diameter and can handle the larger bearings. Otherwise they look identical to the original Halibrand plate. Ford splined axles were used for strength and ease of maintenance. The strength of the rest of the running gear is a worry, especially the taller Zephyr gears, so I decided against a posi unit. It's not a drag car or anything, so let a tire spin rather than put huge loads on those fragile gears. But still I've got to be careful coming off the cutch. I can't say enough good about the Hot Rod Works people. Very helpful, superb quality. You can't go wrong using them.
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