Re LSD's fitted as standard equipment...

[corserrep]

Can anyone tell me which models of the 300 series, were fitted with LSD's as standard... did the 365 have one..... cheers....

[foggyjames]

No 300 series models ever had an LSD fitted as standard. An LSD was available as an aftermarket option when the cars were new, but they're incredibly rare - I've seen perhaps 2 or 3 for sale in the last 5 years.

There is quite some debate going at the moment about how best to go about fitting one. There are generally two approaches.

The first is to adapt a LSD or locker designed to fit the differential unit on the Dana 30 axle from a 240. These are readily available, and relavely cheap, especially from the US, where these axles are common in Jeeps, amoungst other things. Minor alterations to the casework and diff unit are needed to make it fit, but the current belief is that the original bearings can be retained. All we have to go on at present are pictures, but the theory is due to be tested by a couple of parties in the next 6 months or so.

The second option is simply to pay one of the custom-fit companies to make one for you. Quaife will do you one of their ATB LSDs for £600, but they're supposedly not particularly agressive (read: far too passive) units, and more to the point there's a minimum order of 10 units. I have a contact who will fit a much more agressive (although still user friendly) clutch LSD for £500 on a one-off basis. If you've got a bit of cash to throw at it, the latter is almost certainly the better option.

cheers

James

[corserrep]

Cheers James....

am intending to finish a custom made open top, 2 seater sports car, started by the father, who passed away suddenly 3 weeks ago......

Its a heavily modified Ford Model Y chassis (approx 1937), narrowed, adjustable VW beetle front suspension, 340 gearbox/backend combined, custom fitted Lotus Elan+2 rear suspension, Lotus TwinCam 1600cc Bigvalve unit. with twin Webbers, custom made twin rear exit exhausts (all manufactured by my father)....

Would like an LSD fitted.... do you know if your mate has to change any exterior casings etc, that would affect fitting, as the unit is already in place.... or will a redesign of mountings etc be required?

thanx

[foggyjames]

Howdy! I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like completing the car would be a fitting tribute. It sounds like a fascinating vehicle.

As far as I'm aware, no external changes should be necessary. You might know this already, but there are two mounting positions on a 300 series read diff - the 'upper' mounts which a 340 uses, and a threaded hole on either side of the diff casing, which a 360 uses.

Shall I dig out some details of this chap?

cheers

James

[corserrep]

Yes, cheers.... no big rush tho....

[carlt]

Hi
Mate of mine looking to fit stronger diff in his 360 trials car , prior to fitting the 2.5l monster engine he's building[ based around boat crank / rods ]
He breaks std diffs with the 2l motor every other event !

Iv'e been reading the posts about modding the DANA 30 diff into the 360 casing , [ on here and 300 power , 300 mania ] Very interesting stuff .
It's very similar to what we do with a Ford Transit Diff into Ford English Axle
[escort etc]
Looks very promising , ONE problem which doesn't seem to have been adressed on this mod [please put me right ! ] is that the gearbox shaft on the 360 fits inside the pinion [which is hollow and splined ] on the 240 etc from which the DANA would be sourced are the pinions not flanged to the prop and solid ?
The pics of the modded casing and diff on 300 power showes the pinion as solid , how does it fit to the gearbox shaft ?
Any pics of the front end of the casing showing the coupling ?
Cheers
Carl

[foggyjames]

Hi Carl,

I think everyone has assumed that you can just use the standard 360 pinion...a dangerous assumption, perhaps?

To be fair, I think all anyone has seen so far is a 360 diff casing with a 240 crown wheel installed at an autojumble. I'm not aware that anyone has actually carried this out first hand, so won't have knowledge of these sort of issues, although I'm very willing to be corrected there!

cheers

James

[davebslater(uk)]

if the dana 30 diff does in fact fit, one would assume just fitting an ez locker from the states would help for off road . there about $125 from the us - just needs to be inserted into the diff cage .

[carlt]

Unfortunatelly the rules for trials doesn't allow for any sort of lsd or locking diff . we are looking at using the +pin four planet gear set up and throwing away the friction plates .
What we need now is a std 240 diff to try in the 360 casing and to sort out pinion fitting to 360 gbox shaft
If anyone has a spare std 240 diff [any cond ] to donate to research , not too far from Glos ?
Cheers
Carl

[davebslater(uk)]

ahh right , so its the x pin thats the weak link ? - i do have a G80 stripped here in the workshop , if youve got dimensions of the 360 stuff , i can measure it today .