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Differential upgrade

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Differential upgrade
#1
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
I hope to squeeze about 110 hp out of a Datsun A15 engine and install it in my Saloon. I would like to know what non-stock 3.7 or lower differential I could upgrade to or where I could go to get one built in the Seattle area, if possible. Thanks! Tom

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about 4 weeks and 1 day later...
Re: Differential upgrade
#2
TeamEvil Avatar
TeamEvil Thomas C (Disabled)
Kingston, MA, USA   USA
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The track on the Morris is around 50", that of an MGB/MGC is around 49.25. A nice close match for sure.

The MGB has a 3.9 ratio, the MGC varies with a 3.07, 3.3, 3.7 available depending upon the year of the car and whether it had an over-drive trans or not.

Any of these would be an easy installation, hand brake would need some fussing with though.

Most say that the common 3.9 MGB will handle much more than expected and was used in the V-8 cars. Of course, the MGC rear end will handle most anything within reason.


Otherwise, look at the early Datsuns and Toyotas or narrowed small Fords or Chevy S10s. I'm in the midst of two conversions and decided on keeping everything British out back. Just my preference.

Best of luck !

TC

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Re: Differential upgrade
#3
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
TC,

I have a stock 3.9 diff in my Morris now and really need to go to a 3.7. A 3.3 would be even better because I will have the power to handle it. I'll check with the local MG club to see if they know where I can pick up a good used diff with the gearing I want.

I thought of having a Ford 9 inch narrowed but was told that would be major bucks. I can't find anyone local to cut new splines in the shortened axels so the MGC looks like it would be the way to go - if I can find one.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Tom

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Re: Differential upgrade
#4
pixelsmithusa Avatar
pixelsmithusa Gerard C
San Francisco, USA   USA
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1937 Chevrolet Master Deluxe
1946 Austin 10
1953 Morris Minor Series II
1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite    & more
In reply to # 6472 by RHDTraveller59 I hope to squeeze about 110 hp out of a Datsun A15 engine and install it in my Saloon. I would like to know what non-stock 3.7 or lower differential I could upgrade to or where I could go to get one built in the Seattle area, if possible. Thanks! Tom

Why not use the 210 rear axle. It's a 3.7 and I believe can be put in without any mods except the mounting brackets. I had one in a Morris van and it was a good fit and the driveshaft (Morris or Datsun) was a direct bolt up. Other option is just to get heavy city axles and a 3.7 diff from a late Midget or a 3.5 ring and pinion. (they are available)


Gerard

http://gerardsgarage.com/

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Re: Differential upgrade
#5
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
Gerard,

I purchased 2 sets of 3.7 ring & pinion gears a couple of years back - purchased from 2 different Spridget parts suppliers. I had one set installed by a shop that "does this for a living" and the gears began to howl in less then 6 months. A bushing disintegrated and took them out. I had the second set installed and the diff began to howl again in less then 6 months - but no cause could be determined. I can't afford to keep doing this and hope a different diff will be the way to go. I'll start looking for a 210 diff.

Morris people in England claim a TR7 diff would fit but found out it had to be narrowed too.

Thanks for taking the time to contribute!

Tom

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Re: Differential upgrade
#6
TeamEvil Avatar
TeamEvil Thomas C (Disabled)
Kingston, MA, USA   USA
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edit.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014-01-24 10:51 AM by TeamEvil.

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Re: Differential upgrade
#7
Texas mongrel David Rowan
Houston, TX, USA   USA
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1961 Morris Minor Traveller
Ford 9" would be total overkill. Contact Currie Enterprises and they'll build you any rear end you want. I used an 8" Ford for my MG Midget with a 500hp Chevy. They supplied 48" wide, limited slip, 3;54 gear, disc brakes. All done via e-mail and worked perfectly!

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Re: Differential upgrade
#8
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
David,

Thank you for pointing me to Currie Enterprises! I looked everywhere I could around the Seattle area and could not find one business who could do the job. I'll keep the Forum up to date on my progress.

Right now I'm finishing a frame on restoration of my wife's 1973 TR6. When that's on the road I can turn back to my Morris.

Thanks to all who helped me here!

Tom

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about 5 years and 5 months later...
Re: Differential upgrade
#9
dodyudynosur1213 Avatar
dodyudynosur1213 Abbas Abboobaker
Durban, kwazulu natal, South Africa   ZAF
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1957 Morris 1100 "Miracle"
Hi Sir any idea what modification you had done with your Morris diff .I have a Morris and a V4 engine and gearbox bullet gearbox still have a standard Morris diff will appreciate your assistance thanks

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Re: Differential upgrade
#10
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
I have not looked any further into changing out my Saloon differential because everything I looked at required narrowing the housing and axels. I am not sure if I will look at this in the future.

Tom

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about 1 year and 1 month later...
Re: Differential upgrade
#11
dodyudynosur1213 Avatar
dodyudynosur1213 Abbas Abboobaker
Durban, kwazulu natal, South Africa   ZAF
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1957 Morris 1100 "Miracle"
Hi Sir Am seeking a bit of help .Am trying to change my Morris crown and pinion on my car .will the Ford 9 work by just removing my crown and pinion in the diff .Will appreciate your assistance thank you

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Re: Differential upgrade
#12
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
Abbas,

I have given up on changing out the differential in my Saloon and doubt that I will look into it in the future.

If I understand your query correctly, the crown and pinion gears are not interchangeable in the housings. You would need to have the Ford 9 inch housing and axels narrowed and modified to mount under your car. Then there's the brake, parking brake and wheel modifications that would have to be done.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

By the way, if that's a picture of your car it looks really awsome! What wheels do you have on the car?

Tom

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Re: Differential upgrade
#13
dodyudynosur1213 Avatar
dodyudynosur1213 Abbas Abboobaker
Durban, kwazulu natal, South Africa   ZAF
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1957 Morris 1100 "Miracle"
Thank you much appreciated .I have 13 Mini light rims .its a 7J .I just had it resprayed a month ago .Taken me solid 3 years .2 yrs on body and 1 and half years on the drive train. Just a quick one I have a escort diff think 3.7 it's a GT .You think this is a better option. Thanks again

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Re: Differential upgrade
#14
RHDTraveller59 Tom Mohle
Brier, WA, USA   USA
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1959 Morris Minor Traveller
Abbad,

If you can find a 3.7 differential pumpkin (out of an AH Sprite or MG Midget) that is in good condition or another 3.7 differential housing that will fit in your car, install it. I really like the 3.7 gears I had installed in my Morris differential - when they were new. Unfortunately they didn't last more than 6 months before howling so I reinstalled my old 3.9 pumpkin.

I think Mini Lite rims look great on Morris Minors. I have them on my 2-Door Saloon and my Traveller. Glad to hear you stuck with it for so long! Good job!

Tom

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Re: Differential upgrade
#15
dodyudynosur1213 Avatar
dodyudynosur1213 Abbas Abboobaker
Durban, kwazulu natal, South Africa   ZAF
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1957 Morris 1100 "Miracle"
Hi Sir thank you .Any idea where I can lay my hands on this 3.7 pumpkin

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