Technical New Quickchange Parts for Old Style Hot Rods

Finally!!!!!!
I have the first batch of side plates in my possession. Spent New Years Eve installing bearings. These really turned out nice.

Here a bunch waiting their turn in the oven for bearing race installation.

Bearing race and seal installed.

For all those that have ordered these plates, look for an email shortly. I want to double check your ship to address and make sure you get the correct plates for your application.

To purchase pleas click on this link:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/halibrand-style-side-plate-adapters.1045341/

 

Might be a dumb question but what are the six bolt holes on the small bolt pattern for?

 

Congratulations Bruce. I'm sure it has been a lot of stress and work to push a project of this size to completion. I am certain I speak for all of us when I say, I appreciate the dedication. Ron

 

Starting the new year off right. Congratulations of making your dream come true. They look fantastic. Happy New Year. Now make some new Champ cases.

 

I wondered how long before someone asked rhat. The answer is, they can be used to bolt on bearing housings to fabricate an IRS. Or, for bolt on fabricated axle tubes.

Unfortunately, the two example I have on hand are not the correct ones for this pattern, but you get the idea.The plates have the original Halibrand 6 on 5" bolt circle. We left them blind becase 99% of the customers will likely use the Ford trumpets. No way for them to leak gear lube into the housings. If I was using these holes for bolt on tubes, I would drill them through and finish tapping them 3/8"-16.
Also, please note that all the threaded holes in the plates are rolled threads. This makes them much stronger than if they were tapped.

 

I love it when a plan comes together.

Sent from my SM-G900P using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I think I like the look of the fabricated axle tube! Thanks for the info.

 

Bump for the evening guys.

 

Great part at long last...I am sure it will make many happy, happy

 

Bruce, you should be proud of your accomplishment. A Beautiful piece.I am looking forward to seeing them in the Flesh!

 

Thanx for all the kind words, guys.
I am shipping plates as we speak (or type)!

I have sourced some stainless fasteners to finish the 'look' for these adapters and the Quickchanges they go on.
Before the shit storm hits, let me say this; these are 303 stainless. They are not grade 5 or 8. Not recommended for high stress situations. But having said that, I have used these for 20+ years to secure side plates, trumpets, bells, rear covers and front seal plates on Quickchanges. I have never had a failure or even a hint of a problem. I attribute this to the fact that the basic design of the Quick Change is so over engineered that the strength of the fasteners never comes into play.
I am putting this on this thread as a reference. Rather than sending this information to each potential customer, I can upload the pictures and information once for all to see. I have most of these in stock and can supply them as kits for the Side Plates and Trumpets or as individual pieces for your other applications. Please do not use these in high stress situations.
These are unpolished stainless. Only a few are available polished and are more than 3 times the price of unpolished, so I do not stock them.
If you need more information and/or pricing please start a 'Conversation' with me. The pricing is very reasonable on these fasteners.
Kits are complete with all necessary washers, studs and nuts to complete both sides of your Quickchange.

Button Head

Flat Head (requires countersink in plate and/or trumpet)


High Crown Acorn


Mid Crown Acorn


Low Crown Acorn


Lock Nut


Lock Nut with Stud (these plain end studs are not available anymore so these are nuts and washers only)


Socket Head Cap Screw


Not shown are standard Hex Head Cap Screws

 

Bruce, you did mine with the counter sunk Allen heads over 20 years ago and they have never failed or come loose.


I thought they looked good and when I polished the case they really looked good.

 

Lynn,
Thanx for posting that. It shows the counter sunk effect better than any pictures I have.

 

Good job.....they really look good !

 

Damn! Wish I'd seen this before I put my Winters champ together with the ugly bells.

 

I got my plates from Bruce this Morning and could not be happier! They look great and fit better! He has been very helpful and I recommend him. Gary

 

Not too late. You need my plates, a set of trumpets and some bearing cups. You have everything else.

You can likely sell the bells and tubes to pay for at least half of the new pieces.

 

I have most of the first batch of adaptor side plates sold. I am planning on another run, but have a question.

Is there any interest in having some cast in magnesium. I like the idea of keeping magnesium centers with magnesium side plates. I believe there is enough material in the pattern to allow for the difference in shrinkage between aluminum and magnesium.

As far as I know, Halibrand never made any magnesium, 11 bolt, side plate adaptors. But, since the 11 and 12 bolt versions both use the same raw castings, I could have blanks cast and then finished in either configuration. I have a pet project that I would use these on using a Jones or Winters mag center section. (11 bolt)

I will definitely have more cast in aluminum, but if there is interest in mag please let me know.

 

Going to jump on the band wagon. Tell me what you need via a PM and it will go out Monday.

The Ford truck plates we used when I visited way back when are available if you know someone who needs them.

 

Where do you have magnesium cast? Locally?

 

Haven't gotten a foundry set up as of yet. Do you have a recommendation?

 

Got Mine today!Shweeeeet.

 

No mag foundry recommendations. Just curious since I've read that there aren't many left in the States.

 

The guy that did the machining on my side plates found a foundry, but he said that the cost was WAY more than aluminum (on another part).

We'll see what comes up. So far I'm the only one that seems to want a pair of mag plates.

 

We'll, I'm getting caught up on side plates and have told several customers that I would post a 'How to' article on narrowing a differential to use in a Quickchange with the Side Plate Adapters. This information will also be in my (never seems to get finished) book. But we can't wait for that to get you guys on the road. If anyone has information or questions feel free to chime in.

First installment: Selecting a differential

The reason that you need to narrow the differential is that the side plates were originally intended for use with a spool. Ted Halibrand made the plates so that you could use them on either side, meaning the bearing pockets are the same depth left and right. Since he didn't have to worry about fitting a differential in there, he just made the spool to fit.

Here are some options with comments:

On the left is a Halibrand spool made for use in a Halibrand center section with adapter side plates. The one on the right is a 'Trac'. These have been made by several manufactures over the years. Called Tru-Trac, Gold Track, Diamond Track and Winters Track etc. Parts are not generally interchangeable between makes. You can see that there is plenty of meat in the left side aluminum end cap that needs to be cut away.

This one is a Gleason TorSen (torque sensing). This one will narrow up nicely. They are heavy, but generally bullet proof. Considered by many to be the absolute BEST differential available for a QC. They work on a similar principle as the 'Tracs' but the orientation of the internal gears is different.

Another view of the TorSen






This is the aluminum version of the Torsen. Winters calls this their Triple Track. Again, an excellent candidate. These are more expensive than the other style of 'Tracs'.


Another view of the Triple Track.




This is a somewhat rare QC differential. I can't remember the name right now, but it has clutches (like a traditional Posi Trac) It uses a cam arrangement to control engagement and disengagement. It looks like it could be narrowed, but I will have to take it apart again to be sure. Mainly showing it here because it looks similar to a late model 'Locker'. The four groups of 3 thru bolts is the identifier here. Edit: Variloc




This is an iron Detroit Locker, sometimes called an 'Early Locker'(although it's not the earliest version). It can be narrowed but with all the fins, it takes quite a bit of time and effort, Note the punch marks on the bearing journal. This was attempt by someone to tighten the bearing on the carrier. I have found that these units seem to have very little or no press fit for the bearings, but the solution is Green Loc-Tite. Interestingly, this one has one 12 spline side gear and one 31 spline.
Here is the one that WON'T WORK! This is an original Ford 3/4 ton differential. They can be retrofitted with locker components and/or 31 spline side gears. But they can't be narrowed! The windows preclude cutting the left side down.

And here is an 'After' shot. This is a 'Trac' cut down to fit a Halibrand center with adapter side plates.The Allen head cap screws may have to be replaced for clearance to the bearing and side plate.

Note: The common splines are 12 and 31. Either can be used, but the 31 is more current and more in demand. If you are on a budget, you can probably get a 12 spline unit cheaper and if your good at bargaining you can likely save some money on the overall project. 12 spline is more traditional.
Stay tuned for the next installment.



Edit:
I forgot to explain and blow up the thumbnails. These are a REAL Gold Track. The reason that I wanted to show this one separately, is that it shows the 2 +AT marking. This unit is adjustable for preload. The tapped holes around the bearing are for set screws to press against the wear plates. Not needed or desired in a street car, but you can just leave them out. If I remember correctly, this one was 'Half Tight'

 

Thanks Bruce, lots of good info! Gary

 

Bruce, You must be commended for taking on this venture, and it's great to see the interest at this level. The machining of the carrier, will be valued info as I have one to do, for myself. Thanks !

 

Gary and Marty,
Thanx for the encouragement. I added a couple of edits, so now you have to go back and read my last post.

 

THANK YOU!