Differential identification

[Hunsta]

Gday all. Joined this forum as Ive got a 1948 Morris 8 series E that Im replacing the 918cc motor with a 950cc Minor, teamed up with gearbox and rear end to match. Now I know the rear end is 4 inches wider in rear track than the Morris 8 so I intend having it reduced in size. However the question I wish to know is, is there any identifying marks on the differential that will tell me the diff the I have "is" from and matched to the motor and gearbox? Or out of the later 1100cc motor? Information I have says the 950cc diff should be 4.55 and the 1100cc diff should be 4.22.
Why I ask is that I bought the engine,box and rear end off a guy that had many many Morris parts and he pulled bits from here and there for the rear end and even though he said the diff should be the right for the 950, Id like to make sure. As Ive read the 4.22 may struggle in hilly country with the 950cc.
Cheers
Craig

[bmcecosse]

It would be MUCH simpler to use a rear axle from a Spridget - identical - but 3 " narrower, The FINAL DRIVE ratio is stamped on the crown wheel - or just count the teeth . All axles use the same Differential (slight changes over the years..) - with different ratio crown wheel and pinion. The 948 engine will be fine with a 4.22 final drive - it's the one to look for! Don't discard the SV engine/gearbox - much sought after for early Minor use.

[Hunsta]

It would be MUCH simpler to use a rear axle from a Spridget - identical - but 3 " narrower, The FINAL DRIVE ratio is stamped on the crown wheel - or just count the teeth . All axles use the same Differential (slight changes over the years..) - with different ratio crown wheel and pinion. The 948 engine will be fine with a 4.22 final drive - it's the one to look for! Don't discard the SV engine/gearbox - much sought after for early Minor use.

Thanks for that. Might be easier to shorten the axles than to find Spridget parts here in Australia. I have access to a good milling machine and there is professional workshops local that do the work if I cant.

[bmcecosse]

And shorten the half shafts.....???

[Hunsta]

No the Morris Minor housing and axle. Wont touch the M8

[bmcecosse]

?

[Hunsta]

?

Ok. Seems I might be suffering from " terminology deficiency ". My mechanical experience comes from building motorcycles and no cars. Apart from owning and working on several simple late 60's , early 70's GM cars, the closest I've come to a British production car is my fathers old Morris 1100, when I was 10. Having bough my Morris 8 SE I've heard the term "half shalfs ", used when describing what I assumed were the axles.
Am I wrong in assuming this?

[bmcecosse]

Called half shafts - because they are only 'half' the length of the axle - actually slightly less. One each side of course. Shortening them is not going to be easy....at least - not so they don't snap 5 miles down the road!

[Hunsta]

Ok thanks for clearing that up. By that definition mostly all cars running a centred differential would have half shafts. We just only ever called them axles.
As for shortening, resplining is a common practice Im told for shortened "half shalfs "
One can only give it a go.

[bmcecosse]

Or find a Spridget axle....

[Hunsta]

Or find a Spridget axle....

Yep. Great idea. Thanks for the advice.

[bmcecosse]

Let us know how you get on re-splining the half shafts!

[welshrat]

Set of half shafts on Ausie ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/rear-axles-h ... _269wt_922

[bmcecosse]

Well spotted Welsh! They would be perfect - and a bargain price....

[welshrat]

Also wondering if Hunsta is aware that you mean an axle from either a MG Midget or Austin Sprite (Spriget). Please accept my appologies if you know thats what was meant, it has thrown a few people off before so thought it was worth a mention.

[bmcecosse]

[Hunsta]

Thanks welshrat. No I wasn't aware of that. However, both cars are not in plentiful supply as the Minor is here. But thanks for the clarification.
cheer
Craig