C4 D44 batwing fit C3 iron diff hoghead???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
C4 D44 batwing fit C3 iron diff hoghead???
Would anyone happen to know if there is enough material in the right places for the C4/D44 batwing to possibly accept a C3 iron diff hoghead conversion? Looking at the possibility of upgrading my C3's rear suspesion to C4 geometry (while I'm at it), but retaining my 12-bolt* IRS diff is a must. An adapter plate arrangement would be acceptable, as long as it's practical. Any helpful thoughts welcomed.
*Before anyone flames me about the C3 having a 10-bolt diff thru '79, I'm already well aware of that. My hoghead has been re-fitted with a 12-bolt carrier.
TIA
*Before anyone flames me about the C3 having a 10-bolt diff thru '79, I'm already well aware of that. My hoghead has been re-fitted with a 12-bolt carrier.
TIA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 15
From: Wallingford Vermont
"Hogshead"? I've been working on cars and trucks all my life and I've never heard a carrier called a hogshead (but I see the similarities 
)
I think you may be venturing into uncharted waters here. Who did the 12 bolt conversion? I guess you really need to compare a D36 or D44 cover to see how far off the mounting surface is. Maybe an adapter plate could help, maybe just ditch the C4 batwing and come up with your own. I could see a steel cover easily modified to resemble a C4 batwing (some 4x4 covers had thicker metal).
No real help, just tossing out ideas.
)I think you may be venturing into uncharted waters here. Who did the 12 bolt conversion? I guess you really need to compare a D36 or D44 cover to see how far off the mounting surface is. Maybe an adapter plate could help, maybe just ditch the C4 batwing and come up with your own. I could see a steel cover easily modified to resemble a C4 batwing (some 4x4 covers had thicker metal).
No real help, just tossing out ideas.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
"Hogshead"? I've been working on cars and trucks all my life and I've never heard a carrier called a hogshead
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
I've been tossing that idea around myself
a 12 bolt will fit into a C3 case.
Drivers are running 8's with this setup
You'd need to make an adapter, they are very similar in dimensions.
a 12 bolt will fit into a C3 case.
Drivers are running 8's with this setup
You'd need to make an adapter, they are very similar in dimensions.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
FWIW, Henry's Machine Works did the [Pepe Estrada engineered] 12-bolt conversion back in the day. First saw it done in the "Taxing the IRS" magazine article circa 1980.
Can't take credit for the term myself, but the C2/C3 diff really does resemble a hog's head when it's out and detached from the cross-member and suspension.
Can't take credit for the term myself, but the C2/C3 diff really does resemble a hog's head when it's out and detached from the cross-member and suspension.
