Diff swap's

[joncr1@hotmail.com]

Has anyone done a hassel free diff swap for morris .i.e ford escort , corolla, morris major ? I have recently changed my good old 803 oHV engine for an 1100 OHV and would like some advice on how to get a better ratio, I also have a diff from a MK 1 Farina A40 ?
any advise or suggestions are welcome, regards Jon
P.S I live in Australia
(joncr1@yahoo.com.au)

[bmcecosse]

You could fit a later Minor diff (4.55 or 4.22, or 3.9/3.7 from Spridget/Wolseley 1500 ) - or change the whole rear axle to one from another vehicle. Ford Escort/Morris marina/Triumph Dolomite axles are used here - but it will depend what you can get in Oz! Obviously overall width is the main factor - you will almost certainly have to make/fit spring mounts to suit the Minor leaf springs. The question of wheels then arises - since none of these axles will take Minor wheels. You either run different wheels (which will look odd) or change the front hubs to take matching wheels.

[Willie]

Lo Jon, it really depends on wether your car was made before or after 1954 because that is when major updates were made to the Minor. In particular the later type of '3/4 floating' rear axle was fitted which had the diff carrier bolted into the front of the casing. This type will accept all the later diff carriers but you have to ensure that you still have a combined oil filler and level hole since the early type had this actually on the diff carrier whilst the later axles had it on the axle casing itself facing the rear of the car. ( you could finish up with no way of filling the diff
except by injecting the correct amount down the axle breather hole)!
The 'early' series 2 had a ratio of 4.55-1, the later type was changed to
5.375-1. The factory ratio for the 1098cc engine is 4.22-1.

[bmcecosse]

Ahh - yes I had assumed the later Minor type axle. Was it not just 'cheesegrater' cars that had the very early axle - which won't take the later diffs with all the various ratios ?

[joncr1@hotmail.com]

Willie, bmcecosse, bmcecosse, Hey guys thanks for your input, would love a pic of the converable, regards jon