I was just reading another thread asking about the wisdom of using a Vega box on a '30 A, and some of the replies got me thinking - have there been any (many?) failures of these boxes? Seems like there's thousands of these setups out there, and I don't remember seeing anything about failures- the main concern in the other post being the 5/8" input. I guess I should "dis-include" the later China copies in this question. I just rebuilt a real GM Vega box to potentially use in my '31 5 window - just wondering .
I've used no less than 1o Vega boxes without any problems over the years,I don't have any left in my stash pile but I know several guys that have used the aftermarket box's with no problems. HRP
As With anything else here, you'll find a few on each side. some will say that they've never had any trouble and others will say there's nothing but trouble. Lighter cars with lighter engines probably have less trouble with a vega box. Geometry and entrance angle of the U joint probably have something to do with it too. The 525 box is a bit heavier duty version
31 Vicky, actually the pile of parts that came with this car included a 525 (long shaft) box, and I got the Vega box from another HAMBer specifically to rebuild. My understanding is that the 525 is a 24 to 1 box and the Vega is a 20 to 1. Not really a big difference but the Vega is a little faster. I'm putting a '53 Merc flatty in my coupe, highboy style, no fenders or anything else so it should be pretty light - and you're absolutely correct about the alignment and geometry - I've seen some real Rube Goldberg setups at various events, guess the owner / builder slept through Physics class.............................................
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