Healey Sports Cars

mods & upgrades for Healey (Nash, Austin, or Jensen) cars, including engine swaps

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Shamrock
Scott Drewa
Wisconsin
(7 posts)

Registered:
06/23/2021 11:27PM

Main British Car:
1955 Austin Healey 100-4 V6 Turbo

The weight of a factory Austin Healey 3000 rear-end
Posted by: Shamrock
Date: October 11, 2021 11:06PM

Now that I'm going to run a small block ford in my Healey, I need to run a stronger rear end. I would like to know how heavy a factory rear axel weights so I can cut down on unsprung weight when I get a new one.


88v8
Ivor Duarte
Gloucestershire UK
(1041 posts)

Registered:
02/11/2010 04:29AM

Main British Car:
1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8

Re: The weight of a factory Austin Healey 3000 rear-end
Posted by: 88v8
Date: October 20, 2021 05:40AM

That's a pretty arcane bit of knowledge... I think you're going to have to blaze your own trail and weigh it... don't even need to take it right off the car... undo the suspension one side and loosen it the other side so one side of the axle can hang loose... now you can weigh the loose side with a plank over a fulcrum and a known weight such as a cement bag the other end.
If the axle is symmetrical - the pumpkin in the middle - your answer and double it.

Won't be exact as the drive shaft will add a few pounds, but near enough.

Ivor


Sprocket
Guy Coldwell

(5 posts)

Registered:
06/07/2019 02:51PM

Main British Car:
Re: The weight of a factory Austin Healey 3000 rear-end
Posted by: Sprocket
Date: November 02, 2021 11:06PM

I am not sure how relevant the weight of the stock rear end is when you are replacing the drivetrain. My BN1 is built to the hilt with a genuine 1965 289 Ford HiPo with four opposed Weber DCOE carbs, a 5 speed trans with .63 fifth gear and a 31 spline Ford 8” with 3.80 gears and a Trac Loc posi. This is more than strong enough for anything I can throw at it.

There was a useful thread on axle weights on this forum here:

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MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4513 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: The weight of a factory Austin Healey 3000 rear-end
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: November 20, 2021 10:44AM

If it is coming out, seems it would be more important to know the weight of the replacement. ;)

I believe it is very close to an MGB Salisbury. So, the Ford 8 inch can save a bit of weight. On the other hand, a narrowed Ford 8.8 may be close to the MGB with possibly more options AND consume a few less HP.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2021 10:50AM by MGBV8.


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: The weight of a factory Austin Healey 3000 rear-end
Posted by: roverman
Date: April 18, 2022 06:57PM

I think "Currie" has alum. third member ? 31 spline axles are avail as also floating hubs. Speed cost $, how fa$t ?
Art.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4513 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: The weight of a factory Austin Healey 3000 rear-end
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: May 01, 2022 09:26AM

Quote:
I think "Currie" has alum. third member ? "

They no longer offer the aluminum third member for the 8 inch Ford. It is still available for the 9 inch in 31 & 35 spline.


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