Bit of a departure from the norm for me

[111Robin]

I was recommended to check the final drive ratio, normally 3.77, as a better option is 3.54 for everyday use. Also having never driven the car I didn't want to get so far with the rear end and not at least check the differential. So out it came, sure enough 3.77, costly to convert though so I'm still undecided on this. Unfortunately I also uncovered more PO bodgery, on one side of the output shaft bearing housing the lip had been broken off and "glued" back on. So now I can either try to have it repaired or seek out another diff cover. This thing is sucking up the ££££ like nobody's business.
Also to get to the diff mounts the tank had to come out, just as well as it's also in a bit of a state.

[Bitsilly]

All in all I would say you have been pretty lucky! You are way ahead of me, I am still waiting to get the car in to have the fibreglass repaired, but as I have found so many areas to sort I may be looking at a new body!

[Pandora]

Is it a BMC diff? I can't remember. Famously the gears in the 5sp are Maxi, but I can't remember about the Diff. Maybe Triumph?

Al

[111Robin]

Is it a BMC diff? I can't remember. Famously the gears in the 5sp are Maxi, but I can't remember about the Diff. Maybe Triumph?

Al

It's Ford Al

[111Robin]

All in all I would say you have been pretty lucky! You are way ahead of me, I am still waiting to get the car in to have the fibreglass repaired, but as I have found so many areas to sort I may be looking at a new body!

That sounds expensive indeed. I guess mine isn't bad. Body wise apart from the paint finish it hasn't been messed around with or damaged. The mechanical stuff is easy compared with the body.

[Pandora]

just to keep the prices up

Al

[111Robin]

I have been told by someone who recently sold a 3.54 diff to a Ford guy for £500 that he could have sold it for twice that. They seem to be sought after by the Mk1 Escort folk hence the prices. A replacement cover alone is going to set me back £200, and that's one that's been welded.

[Bitsilly]

Depending on your plans, changing the diff from original May devalue it to some of the market, if you are not flipping it then enjoy it the way Colin intended!!

[111Robin]

Depending on your plans, changing the diff from original May devalue it to some of the market, if you are not flipping it then enjoy it the way Colin intended!!

It just seems to be a popular modification to make it easier to live with however given how little I drive any of my cars it's definitely not worth the expense. Seeing as the engine is original to the car it would be a shame to start changing things anyway. I hope this is a keeper with the amount of work I'm putting into it, time will tell if it grows on me or not.

[111Robin]

So, having now looked at these DIY shafts I'm definitely not using them. One is an inch longer than the other ffs!. I'm going OEM and will be using original rotoflex couplings. I know there are issues with these however there are also issues with solid shafts leading to output shaft failure so there's no perfect solution.