Hello - Newbie axle question

Post by **Spag** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:22 am

Hi all, new to this Morris Minor malarkey, but not to a little automotive tinkering...

I have recently acquired a 1965 4door, that is in need of a fair bit of work, which will undoubtedly involve adding a few more horses under the bonnet.

What are the options of MOWOG based axles that will take a bit more torque ?

For obtuse reasons, I would like to avoid just sticking an Escort axle in, so was wondering if maybe MGB would work ??

Any thoughts or comments appreciated!

Cheers

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:15 am

What are the options of MOWOG based axles that will take a bit more torque ?

Generally the Marina/Ital one is used, not sure if I have seen a MGB one used, there are now some halfshafts available that are far stronger than the originals made from EN24 steel.

Post by **Spag** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:15 am

Ooo, some EN shafts into a Quaife ATB could be quite sexy and resilient

may cost a few $$$ though !

Post by **plastic_orange** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:51 am

Minor diffs are a bit fragile too (even with standard engine), so if it were me, I'd use a Ford. However an MGB axle is pretty strong, and if you have one use it. Obviously you will need to check width, and do the usual mods to make it fit.

Pete

Post by **Matt** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:42 pm

Marina axles as already stated are pretty strong as well

Post by **MoggyTech** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:01 pm

Depends how much BHP increase you are talking about. If you go daft the gearbox will need changing as well.

For moderate BHP increase, hardened half shafts are available from ESM for £70 the pair, the EN24 ones are £350+ from tuning specialists.

The only weak point in the moggy diff is the cross pin and standard half shafts.

Post by **Spag** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:54 pm

Hee hee! Would be looking for a reasonably noticeable increase

Engine and box are destined for replacement with something else, though still have some measuring and thinking to do on that front.

I have only played with FWD and mid engine things in our home projects so far so the RWD is all a bit of an adventure...

Please don't kick me out, but I have a 4AGE and a couple of V8s kicking about spare from our Minis

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:19 pm

Advantage of Marina axle (saloon - not van) is the 3.75" pcd on the hubs - which will match nicely with Marina front hubs and discs - and then you can use inexpensive MGF alloy 15" or 16" wheels all round. With MGB axle - you would have fun matching front hubs to the MGB 4.5" pcd.

Post by **Spag** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:02 am

Cheers for the comments.

Looks like the Escort has quite a lot going for it, and with it's rally background the availability of uprated innards makes it look even better.

Did I spot somewhere a front disky conversion to Ford PCD as well? The availability of stealth ford steel wheels could be another bonus of heading in this direction !

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:24 am

Spag wrote:Did I spot somewhere a front disky conversion to Ford PCD as well? The availability of stealth ford steel wheels could be another bonus of heading in this direction !

I think JLH does one. Send a PM to jonathon for more information.

Post by **twincamman** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:17 am

The MGB axle is 1" narrower than the Minor one, and the Salisbury ones ('67-on) are pretty tough. They'll take pretty much anything that a 4-banger will chuck at them.

Post by **Matt** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:10 am

If you can find a marina commercial they have 4.5" PCD, the same as the MGB

Post by **downsey** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:12 pm

guys have run ford 302's in their mgbs with the stock rear end with absolutely no problems.

Post by **morrisman1** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:09 pm

in the ute i have a toyota corolla/starlet rear end. its got a 4.5" pcd, but so do my marina hubs on the front. i got them off a marina 575 van. the starlet unit will be a bit stronger than the morry one (in the half shafts particually) but i mainly got it for the higher ratio. diffs with higher ratios than 4.55:1 are damn near impossible to get here.