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Has anybody seen this type of heavy duty rear differential for a 63 to 67 stingray? Offset trailing arms with giant U joints and half shifts. It was going into 63 split window coupe that I just bought today.
Heavy duty? From the pics I would say it almost looks like the diff case is aluminum. Interesting looking either way.
Rich
Could be.......I believe the the Grand Sport diffs were cast magnesium, and this one looks like that. Are there any provisions on this case for cooling lines?
[QUOTE=63Corvette;1596404712]Could be.......I believe the the Grand Sport diffs were cast magnesium, and this one looks like that. Are there any provisions on this case for cooling lines?[/QUOTE The housing appears to be magnesium. I’ll have to look and see if there are provisions for cooling lines.
63 Grand Sports did have an aluminum diff, they are extremely rare and priceless. I have rebuilt one of the five originals, that is not one. The outer axles look like Tom's old style that were two piece. Those go back about 35+ years, possibly that was an early Tom's offering as well. What does it look like inside?
[QUOTE=TCracingCA;1596406874] I have to get out like my Mickey Thompson catalog. He did a mag heavy duty case! I hate to start the investment sharks a circling and the next magic rare car feeding frenzy find, but Maybe you have Doug Hooper's #119! Your Serial number would tell me instantly yes or no thou! Look's like a Pepe Axle and flange to me!! Pre- Tom's Differential!
Tom blew his rear end up and came in as a snot nosed young guy and couldn't afford the work, and Pepe gave him a job and the rest is history!
Last edited by TCracingCA; 01-18-2018 at 11:32 PM.
Heavy duty? From the pics I would say it almost looks like the diff case is aluminum. Interesting looking either way.
Rich
Originally Posted by 63Corvette
Could be.......I believe the the Grand Sport diffs were cast magnesium, and this one looks like that. Are there any provisions on this case for cooling lines?
Looks a little like a later model rear end with a set of Tom's (or Pepe's) axles. Maybe ??????
I will take some better pictures of the backside also maybe we can figure this out. It is certainly beefy. I’ll see if I can find any markings on any of the parts. Unfortunately the person that owned all of the stuff has died. The 63 split window had been parked in a barn in northeast Pennsylvania since 1974. It came with a lot of parts that we’re definitely not 63 and there is a frame that is either 65 or 66 i’m trying to see if there’s a Vin number on the frame. The frame had some modifications in front of the trailing arm mounting to strengthen it. The center crossmember was removed and was modified to be removable. And all of this rear suspension parts were part of this frame. I love treasure hunts if these parts could only talk. Thanks for the input.
Last edited by 65 Pro Vette; 01-19-2018 at 08:11 AM.
Looking at the rear cover bolt pattern and cover shape that is some form of a Dana 60 that was a custom casting. I agree the case appears to be magnesium with an aluminum welded cover. The U-joints also appear to be 1480 given the size in the photo. Heavy duty stuff for sure. M/T did do some creative stuff back them. I've never seen anything such as this before. I've seen photos of the other Dana 60 Corvette rears but this is not exactly that. as those are cast iron. The thru bolt coming out the front of the case is other end of the bolt that holds the cap in the case. This is done today on heavy duty Moser aluminum Ford 9" center sections. If you clean off the case are there any numbers or other stamp marks anywhere? Cool piece for sure.
These are the Dana 60 with the cast iron case. Very similar to what you have just that they went with a different magnesium case instead. If I were to guess it has a spool.
Last edited by 4 Speed Dave; 01-19-2018 at 11:27 AM.
Reason: Added photos
I would agree it appears to be Henry's piece, I believe they were in CA back in glory days for the 50's-70's. Not sure they are still open. I would think it can be cleaned up and reused, a unique strong setup. I have not worked on their units so I can't say what is in it. I know they did 12 bolt conversions as well.
Put a small drop of white vinegar on an inconspicuous place on the case. IF it IS magnesium, it will bubble.
I was just going to ask that question how can I tell if it’s magnesium or aluminum. It appears as though the rear cover is aluminum and it is a different color than the front case that’s why I suspected magnesium. Thanks
Last edited by 65 Pro Vette; 01-19-2018 at 09:10 PM.
01-18-2018, 03:34 PM
Heavy duty rear differential
Are there any provisions on this case for cooling lines?[/QUOTE The housing appears to be magnesium. I’ll have to look and see if there are provisions for cooling lines.
