Thanks Helicopterman. I would be interested in hearing about the install as well!

 

Me three.


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Just an update here. I've now installed Chuck's kit in my F2.
The kit has everything you need to do the conversion, including a complete new pinion assembly with splined shaft and yoke, crown gear, new bearings and hardware. There is a shiny new casing to hold the oil seal too.
Installing the kit is pretty straight forward. I made a crude tool to extract and push back the pinion assembly. Once apart the rivets are removed from the old crown gear and the new gear is bolted in place. The pinion bearing preload is set, new bearings installed and put it all back together.
I went for a lengthy drive yesterday and have come to the conclusion that this is the ideal set up for the F2. 60 mph is now a comfortable cruise speed while 50mph is calm and quiet. Pulling away in 2nd is still easy and who knows, it may even use a little less gas!

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I sure am anxious to experience it too. Stu

 

I forgot to mention, my speedo, which was over reading slightly is now under reading by about 10%, so 50mph showing is actually 55mph! I think I need a smaller driven gear. The gear in there now is 21 teeth so will about 19 teeth make it right?

 

Helicopterman, is this something you think the rest of us should try? I've built more than a few engines, front ends, brakes etc. in my time but was always afraid to take on the rear end builds. Is specialized training required?

 

H'blue, I understand your concern, but this particular axle doesn't require setting up for gear lash, diff bearing preload, etc. I would say, go for it and follow the shop manual instructions and the kit instructions, paying attention to the correct torque settings of the crown gear bolts and the pinion bearing preload.

 

Thanks, helicopter. Better start saving my pennies!

 

Thanks for the update!

That 'crude tool' might come in handy if you attached it to the left rear wheel hub after you are done with the gear swap. Maybe if some idiot is trying to pass you in a no-passing zone you can give them a little taste of that saw blade.

Or cut some wood with it in the yard, like the old days.

Serious question now....how long did it take end-to-end to do that swap and aside from the saw blade build was anything else needed other than regular tools?

Tom

 

Nice. Do you have any more pictures of the rear axle upgrade?

 

Great idea with the blades Tom, lol, of course I would have to mount them on the right wheel here in the UK, being on the 'wrong' side of the road.
I actually used the blades on my 'Heath Robinson' puller because the holes are the right size for the pinion shaft and by using the pinion nut against the blades the assembly was pulled out by pushing the blades away from the casing with the studs and nuts.
I didn't know how to get the bearing cups out of the casing halfs so I welded a flat bar across the cups and tapped them out with a halfshaft. This made a handy tool to drift the new cups in too. I borrowed a press to push the new bearings on the diff.
The job took me about 4 days, a few hours a day, but like anything it would be quicker next time. Get a friend to help!

 

Sorry, I have no more pics, but there's not much else to see.
Cheers
bob