Rootes Group Cars

a place for Sunbeam, Hillman, Humber, Singer, and Talbot performance enthusiasts

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nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 29, 2014 01:26PM

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.
TrannyTunnel150.jpg


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 29, 2014 01:28PM

some more pics
EngineWell50.jpg
Oilcooler50.jpg
Frontend50.jpg


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 29, 2014 05:26PM

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,
TrannyTunnel150.jpg



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


nakedhacienda
john scherff

(54 posts)

Registered:
05/11/2014 11:34AM

Main British Car:


Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: nakedhacienda
Date: June 29, 2014 05:40PM

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


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2459 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: mgb260
Date: June 29, 2014 06:18PM

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.


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: July 06, 2014 10:16PM

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


Sidecardoug
Doug Rowe
Northern Nevada
(51 posts)

Registered:
07/04/2012 05:09PM

Main British Car:
1969 TR-6 Ford 302

Re: Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined
Posted by: Sidecardoug
Date: June 02, 2017 08:35PM

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.

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