Axle from A60/A55 etc... (and a question about Escort axles)

[rayofleamington]

Hi folks,
I'm looking for a rear axle with 4 x 4.5" PCD that will fit a Minor saloon (will probably be used with midget engine).

I know that the A60 axle has been used on at least one tuned Minor (Andrew Booth's car that was originally done by Beardmore Bro's got an A60 axle to replace the slightly wider Celica axle). Does anyone know how to find out more about the A60 axle (e.g. width, durability etc...) - or maybe know who currently has AJH 432A?

Failing that - the Marina 10Cwt van axle was 4.5" PCD but where on earth would you find one?? Are there other options such as triumph (nooooh - not Triumph )

I've tracked down one A60 axle but not cheap and not sure of condition as it's been in a shed for 20 years... I'd rather not shell out too much in case it's not a great option anyway, hence wanting to know more!

If the 4.5" PCD option doesn't work out, what kind of Escort axle is normally used on a Minor?? I've seen them called 'English' exle but know nothing more than that, therefore wondered if there is more than one type, which is the better option etc.. etc..

[bigginger]

There are 2 types, the English and the Salisbury. I can't find the right book to give you the differnces now - I'll dig it out tomorrow.

[jonathon]

The English axle is the one with the front loading diffs as in Escort MK11 ,the salisbury rear as in Capri. Only the Mk1 Capri and Escort Mk11 axles are of use in the minor as the width still allows for sensible wheel sizes and offsets, the Capri, Cortina axles are around 6" too wide and will either require cutting down or oversized wings.

[bigginger]

So, I won't look for the book then

[rayofleamington]

Thanks Just what I wanted to know

So late MGB 'salisbury' axle (or the early one) is another alternative then. I knew about Marina 100CWT Van, but not that is was same axle as A60

[Wal]

Hi,
unless you are putting in a mental turbo midget engine the Ford English axle should be alright. The RS2000 or 1.6 Ghia (I think) one will take about 180 BHP. I've got one on my Moggy pushing about 160HP and apart from turning the diff into a jigsaw puzzle on one 1/4 mile run it's been OK (halfshafts were fine though).

Regards,
Wal

[jonathon]

The Escort axle is rated to 180bhp as Wal correctly states. A contact of mine Ian Harwood, used to be a works Ford Rally driver and used this axle with a V8 engine upfront. The diffs will take well over 225bhp as standard and if you want to go for big power then Quaiffe will do half shafts and double bearing kits ready to handle over 500bhp. The Escort axle has to be the easiest option not just for its wealth of diff ratio's but also that it is the perfect width, and doesn't require expensive shortening.The standard 8" drums are excellent or you can upgrade to the Capri 9". We have just fitted a rear disc kit, along with 4 link and watts linkage.

[rayofleamington]

The Escort axle is rated to 180bhp as Wal correctly states. A contact of mine Ian Harwood, used to be a works Ford Rally driver and used this axle with a V8 engine upfront. The diffs will take well over 225bhp as standard and if you want to go for big power then Quaiffe will do half shafts and double bearing kits ready to handle over 500bhp.

Well, this car is only getting a mild 1275, so I'll mull over the Axle options when thinking about a different car ;-). Even so it's unlikely to go over the 180 Bhp

Escort 'English' axles on ebay seemed pretty reasonable price, except nobody was selling them complete with diff, bearings, halfshafts, brakes and drums

Anyway - to start with the car might go with standard Marina back axle as I've got one of those in the pipeline.

[dp]

But Ray it's always worth putting in the stronger components in case you change your mind Well, since it's as much effort to fit one axle as another.

Actually, just to clarify something Jonathon said earlier, are 'English' and 'Salisbury' types rather than manufacturer's names for their axles?

Ta

dp

[Cam]

The so called 'English' axle is actually called a Timken axle. Timken (as far as I know) manufacture bearings nowadays. Not sure if they still make axles.

[Wal]

The diffs will take well over 225bhp as standard

Yippee, does this mean I could say my cars got over 225BHP as it managed to blow one in to small pieces.

Thought not - worth a try though.

Regards,
Wal

[paul.kissick]

Remember the essex V6 escorts they built in the 70's all

I thought capris were the ones with the v6?

[plastic_orange]

Capri Mark 1 3 litre V6 axle fits straight on Minor springs and has a ratio of I think 3.08/1 (use prop end and handbrake lever to suit). It also has huge drums and looks quite tidy whilst not being too wide. It should be strong enough for a standard rover V8, but if anything more powerful is required, better to go the Volvo, or American Ford route. All axles can be narrowed to suit your design width by a number of specialists here.

Pete

[paul.kissick]

love to see a picture of those beasts

[Onne]

this is an Atlas axle, but not too standard I suppose

This is to go on a rally spec Group 4 Escort Mark I or II

[TeHoro]

Here's some pics of my solution.

Toyota Hilux/Hiace - 8" ring gear. This has a 4.3 LSD 4 spider centre - not easy or cheap in an Ford axle. Stock width is probably too wide for a stand Morris though. Rear discs are from a Mazda 626 with Nissan 200SX calipers. Suspension is 4 bars + panhard +coilovers. Just been painting the whole assembly today.

[Innovator]

My first twin cam Minor had an A60 axle. I bust 7 diffs in a year.............but I did give it some pain.

The pin holding the planet gears in place used to drop out.

I wrote an article on axles that listed all the common axles, widths and ratios. It may be on this site somewhere, if not I have a copy at my parents. I will be visiting in July.

Some of the small Toyotas and Datsuns also had 4.5" PCD.

John

[Onne]

like the celica, that has 4,5"PCD.

If only I'd kept the parts