Bad Eyesight

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Bad Eyesight
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Clemens - NW Phoenix AZ on Tuesday, September 03, 2013 - 10:40 pm:

Throughout the summer, I have been collecting all of the parts and upgrades needed from Chaffins, Fun Projects and Langs to rebuild the rear axle for my 27R Pickup restore project.

I now have most of the parts to begin the rebuild but a friend of mine noticed fine-hairline cracks in the differential housing (ring gear side). They are so obvious that I cant believe that I didn't see them the first time. Wish I could rebuild my eyes.

One of the more obvious ones....



Does anyone know where I can find/purchase a good housing without spending a small fortune?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Tuesday, September 03, 2013 - 11:39 pm:

Randy,
I wonder if those cracks are anything to be concerned about. Maybe they have been there since the part was made. It is obvious that they were there when last used and caused no problems.

I have never heard of a housing failing there and after a forum search, no one out of the hundreds of members with thousands of years of experience have reported any problems caused by such cracks.

I don't know,
Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Murray - Anacortes, WA on Tuesday, September 03, 2013 - 11:48 pm:

Hi Randy,

I procured a replacement diffy carrier from Dave Huson in Colorado. He may have more, plus they may be crack free. There is never any guarantee that old metal will hold up with use, so it may always be prudent to add brakes that do not rely on the diffy to stop the vehicle. One advantage you have is the e-brake on 26-27 cars work well as long as the good rearend seals are keeping diffy lube from coating the e-brakes. Hope that helps...W


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Clemens - NW Phoenix AZ on Tuesday, September 03, 2013 - 11:54 pm:

Interesting thought Jim.

I understand what your saying and it makes a good degree of sense to me. I guess what makes me think about this the most is the amount of money being put into the rebuild. I would hate to find out after completion that I should have gone that one step further.

It also has cracks inside and at the base of the bolt holes - where the two halves bolt together. Just hard to get a picture of the area.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 03:14 am:

This is one of the few innards that would be useable (after cleaning) from a rear axle lying in the open for years without a driveshaft.. I'd guess it will be easy enough to find a replacement, just check so the axle holes doesn't need a bushing to get back to spec.

Do you have any T:ers nearby? Anyone who has restored T's should have a few diff housings lying around? Since they're so common, there's no need to put together an axle with a cracked diff housing, even if it's unlikely your cracked housing would split completely apart in use.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 06:26 am:

Randy,

For most of us as we get older our eye sight is not as sharp as it once was (or for some of the lucky folks their arms just get too short). I remember trying to read my Bible once. I was trying to read in Psalms and I started over several times but I just wasn’t getting it. Then I picked up a “large print” version and discovered “God – God is in the large print!” So for my eyesight I often carry and use a small flashlight or use additional light at the work bench that I didn’t use 20 years ago. I also have several different magnifying glasses that I use. Some to look at photos in books and some to look at parts in the garage. And of course asking someone younger to take a look is a great idea and gives us the chance to build relationships and recruit additional folks to the hobby. I’ve also taken photos of things – especially body numbers and then zoomed in on them with the computer to see additional details.

I would recommend obtaining a better part without the visible cracks. From your profile I noticed that you are involved with airline maintenance. So you already know that airplanes routinely fly with cracks that are acceptable in some areas (interior trim – cosmetic). And that some known problem areas are inspected after so many hours of flight etc. because they tend to develop cracks and in that area. And in those areas cracks are not acceptable or cracks beyond a certain length are not acceptable etc.

In your case, pulling the rear axle to check for crack growth would probably not be worth your time and effort in the long run compared to purchasing a good used part without the cracks. As mentioned previously the part should be readily available used. From http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/P-R.htm#rax3 it indicates that during 1915 the part was changed one last time and then continued in the same basic design (interchangeable) from then until the end of production. So there should have been over 14,000,000 of them produced. And in the Phoenix area there should be some extras. Remember cracks do not grow shorter.

Good luck with your rebuild.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Loso St Joseph, MN on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 06:59 am:

Randy,

Contact me at aloso@q.com and I'll set you up.

Andy Loso
'OSO HANDY RESTORATIONS
Specializing in Model T Fords
Selling New and Used Parts


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Sosnoski on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 07:34 am:

Finding those are easy. Finding useable ones are not so easy. The problem is usually on the other side where the thrust washer is. The pins wear allowing the thrust washer to drop down and wear a groove in the end of the housing. I finally found one for a project I have here, but probably went through 8 - 9 before finding one which was not damaged.

For some reason finding the other side in good condition is not as hard. They seem much more plentiful.

Dave S.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Clemens - NW Phoenix AZ on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 09:10 pm:

Hap, I know what you mean, I have my phone set on a large font, otherwise I wouldn't be able to read my messages and email. Andy, much appreciated. I will send you a note tonight. Thanks everyone.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 09:22 pm:

The differential housing you show I found to be in fair abundance at Chickasha this last March.
On the second day they were some vendors who had groups of parts to sell and I bought 2 and left the rest they had.
Old rearends that have lain in the field for many years usually have a good complete housing when all else looks hopeless.
I have found that to usually be true.
You can sometimes find them on Ebay from time to time reasonably priced.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 10:07 pm:

didn't Steve Jelf just buy several? Maybe he'll part with one.


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