Rootes Group Cars

Got the Mustang rearend out, I am told that none of the mounting brackets will work with the Sunbeam and I should have bought a Ford Ranger rearend (oh well at least I got a PosiTrac, an Engine, and 4 Wheels for my $600 bucks) perhaps I haven't wasted too much time and money. I have found an MGA steering gear on EBAY and will check to see if it's equivalent to the MGB. Here are some new Pics of the Car, Notice the steering gear, kinda scary but it worked, I think the R&P will be a big improvement. I also cut out the Transmission tunnel from the Mustang, perhaps it will save a little sheet metal work, but maybe not. We'll see.
I will take the remainder of the car to the scrape yard, it's a shame the steering gear will not fit.

some more pics

John, Probably not enough room for the big cast ears on top. You could cut them off and weld top brackets on the axle tubes. You have the same wheel bolt pattern with that axle. The 83-92 ranger short side axle on each side would be perfect width but 5 lug. Coil over shock travel; the stock rear shocks interchange with 68 Camaro. About 18" extended and 12" compressed. You can't use the top stock mounts with a coil over. You would weld a piece of round or square tubing across the frame rails like in the link at Welder series. QA1 has a inexpensive non adjustable coil over that is 15" extended and 9" compressed for the 6" travel. I would recommend 250lb 10" springs, set mounted length about 12.5". For the firewall I'm making a box about 1' deep before the tunnel for more room. Motor mounts bolt on where the Alpine steering gear was. MGA rack may be adapted but I know the MGB one works,




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2014 06:14PM by mgb260.

Thanks. I found a B steering gear, no reason modifying something I don't have to! It was suggested that I get ajustable Coil Overs in case I wanted to race (which I would eventually). I'm not to upset about my rearend, though I guess I have some grinding to do!.. I think the $500 is a little steep, just to narrow it, but that is him doing all the work, The speed shop says $500 to narrow, $500 for decent Coilovers and $1000 to put it under the car with a 4 link, which sounds reasonable when you add it all up like that, but alas I can't afford THAT! So I will be scouting the alternatives, Thanks for again sending me in the correct direction.


JohnS

John, I'll be using the existing leaf springs and bolt on Tractionmaster type traction bars. I posted a picture of the firewall mod above. You will need the MGB bolt on steering arms also.

John, I'm not all that familiar with your project so should give no advice but I've dealt with a lot of narrowed rear ends and would suggest, unless your using two stock short side axles, adding the cost of axles to your planning. Axles and bearings can easily cost $500.


Paul

The Jeep Dana 44 prior to about 2004-5 has the same lug pattern as the early Mustang-
5 on 4 1/2 inches. The Dana 44 was widely used for many applications, and there are a
lot of gear ratios available for this rear end, as well as many types of limited slip, ranging
from lockers to the Torsen diff.