Al's 145 barn find

bigal · 2015-05-10T11:29:49+00:00

Update - I've found a 1974 145 and purchased. She's a Barn Find! Details to be revealed later! :-)

bigal

So guttered I better crush it.

1971_144GL

That's a bit harsh. Swap for a beer instead? Anyway I am led to believe that the gear set is made by Dana, and were heavily used by Jeep in particular. The housing is Volvo made to take purchased in gears. That is why you can buy a crown wheel and pinion and planetary gears for so little, including different ratios, as they are mass produced for other brands. You can also buy Dana 27 and 30 LSD hubs for remarkably like money. In theory they are a direct replcemt for the standard gear hub. Might be an interesting $500 experiment, and I have a couple of spare diffs. Setting up the crown wheel and pinion is tedious, but theoretically it is not that hard an overall job. Google "Dana locker" or antispin, and the correct spline hub seems available in a number of brands and specifications. Could be an entertaining experiment even if it doesn't work.

bigal

That sounds like a fine idea.

So did Spicer make the standard diffs? Just wondering why my service book in 1974 says spicer.

bigal

"Anti-Spin, was an optional extra on nearly all Volvo models (up to 850 era) - with the LSD centre fitted up from new only by the Dealership, by replacing the cars original standard diff centre."

Major Ledfoot

Anthony Hyde has excellent articles about Volvo diffs on his pages.

Dana 27 was used in the 1800s and Amazons with drum brake rear ends.

Dana 30 aka Volvo 1030 were used in 140s / 164 / 240s.

The 1031 is a slightly different beastie.

Oh - and Dana = Spicer = Hardy Spicer = Borg Warner in more recent times.

If you want a VMS wizz-bang 240 Group A alloy housing with bolt-on tubes etc, it's best kept as a museum piece as they're very rare. Mark Petch makes and sells special replacement axles and hubs for them, which allow negative camber and a wee bit of toe-in on them.

bigal

Lifted the rear up, put it in neutral and handbrake off. When I spin a wheel forward the tail shaft spins and the other side does nothing. However when I spin the tyre backwards the other one goes forward.

Same behaviour from the other side.

I think she's well and truely a standard open diff.

Anyhow, decided to have a poke about with these rear brakes. The rear doesnt exactly free wheel.. I can spin them each side ok but when I let go with my hand they stop spinning. Can't tell if that's stuck or not.. The weight of the diff and tail shaft spinning might be stopping it from free wheeling as there's a bit to shift there.

Further test.. I pumped the brakes expecting some stuck on brakes afterwards but no.. same level of resistance (spin ok by hand but don't freewheel).

Maybe the diff is causing the remaining vibrations?

bigal

Just had a light bulb moment.. Going to whip out the rear pads (and not pump brakes).. then see how that compares doing the rear wheel spin test by hand.

Ex850R

You need those light bulb moments at midnight when you want to check the different numbers so you can see!
Bit deflating reading the result.
I am reminded though that it's a Dana so yes you have a large array of vehicles to get parts from. Good fun experimenting.
Another way is to drop a WRX different in and custom axles etc.... MX5 suspension adapted to it..... I mention as my Bro inlaw is doing this on a Triumph Spitfire. It never ends...

bigal

Yeah bit of a bummer. Trying to think of something special my 145 has that's a bit rare but just having a 145 is rare enough so must be happy with that.

Well I whipped out those rear pads, removed the caliper piston dust covers and we have some nice corrosion.

Wheels back on and off the ground for another spin test.. much better. And now the opposite wheel spins the opposite way both ways.

In conclusion:

I have a standard open diff.
Rear brake calipers need an overhaul.

We're on the home stretch now. Might as well tackle these calipers while I'm in there.

WRX diff! That might start a domino effect and lots of money. Sounds interesting though.

bigal

Tempted to buy ready to go rebuilt rear calipers. Where should I look for such a thing?

bigal

We all like pics. These are from the last few days with my adventure with the 145..

Sunday October 16 - Eurosports Cars & Coffee:

In the carport again ready for some tinkering:

Cleaning the diff tag to see if I have a Limited Slip Diff (I don't):

Rear brake pads out and caliper dust covers off to diagnose these sticky rear brakes. Couple of example pics but same condition on all 4 rear pistons:

My plan is to clean the back shed out again and roll it in for rear caliper rebuilds.

Tassie6er

Nice to see the 145 sitting with appropriate company in Launceston!

bigal

Haha. Apart from the museum motorbike delivery van next to me, the 145 was the oldest and roughest car there. Just the way I like it!

The rain kept all the precious old things at home. No problem for the swedish brick!

Tassie6er

Al, rain hail or shine I always drag the Healey out - that said the heater in the 245 would be tempting!

bigal

Oooh a Healey hey! Tell us more.

timbo

Im pretty sure you can run 850/p80 rear calipers you just have to drill the mounting holes to suit. You will be able to find a set in good condition and cheaper than a rebuild on your old calipers

1971_144GL

I think I have a couple of working rears I can swap you. I will check on the way through if I can. V70 has a dead transmission, so thinking on what to bring back. Make it drivable in a day???? I am doing my caliper set also, we could do it as a batch.

bigal

You know which one I'd love to see you bring back :-)

No good on the v70 trans. New solenoids and clutch pack time?

Yep, Sound like we need a brake overhaul session. I have plenty of space for car work as you know. Going to organise a little fridge soon for one of the garages to stash some beer and coke ready for some social car tinkering days.

bigal

Thanks @timbo and @rob for that info. I didnt know about that option. Rob mentioned the same thing on another thread about it. Quite a common retro-fit?

I'll give it some thought and catch up with @1971_144GL and decide on a way forward this week.

zzdhalla

I'm south so we should also catch up at some time. Maybe week after next I'll bring the 145s down.

« Previous Page Next Page »