rear axle replacement in USA

mark · Post by **mark** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 1:48 pm

hey all, I have a 2.3 with 4 speed in my 301E Thames and I want to replace the stock axle to work with this motor/trans combination. What axles are you guys using in the USA? I have ruled out the 105e since they are hard to find in the states, I want to keep stock wheels if possible which means I need wheel adapters, which means the axle will need to be even narrower (about 46" hub to hub). The ford 8" and 9" are just too large as they will leave little ground clearance with the stock wheels. I have been looking at maybe narrowing a Ranger, S10, or even a Toyota. Thinking about 3.55 ratio so the engine is not screaming at 45mph. Any shops in SC that can narrow and spline an axle? Anybody have any experience with this ? any suggestions? thanks

Brett Wilkie · Post by **Brett Wilkie** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:36 pm

I do like the 105e but as you say there is not a lot of them around, when you say stock wheels I am assuming you mean stock Ford 4 x 4+1/4?? The stock 300e wheel is different again, I would consider using a Pinto or Mustang II rear end and get that narrowed as they ran 13 inch rims without ground clearance problems. I notice there is one for sale in Sumter SC for $128.75 it is a 3.55 ratio. I don't know if the add is current though?
http://www.partshotlines.com/parts/ford ... embly.html

Good luck with the project.

mark · Post by **mark** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 5:54 pm

Hey Bret
thanks for the reply...The stock wheels have bolt circle 4 x 5.5...quite large bolt pattern!! I am running 175-75 R13 tires now with some bulging of the tires because of the skinny rims...but it looks ok. The front and rear suspension came off of 101E Escort which should be the same as the 301E. My first thought is to use the pinto/mustang rear axles (6.75" and 7.5" ) to get the smaller center section. Moser said they "thought" they could re-spline the axles but did not want to narrow the housing. They are not set up to narrow small rear housings. Cant help but believe there must be some local racers that can do this work but I am coming up empty. I am still not sure if the pinto axle is desirable to narrow...for example...does the axle shaft neck down next to the splines? .... Is the housing straight tubing or is it stepped? Hoping someone out there has narrowed a pinto/mustang for the 100e and can shed some light on this. thanks

Brett Wilkie · Post by **Brett Wilkie** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:51 pm

I wish that I could answer your question, I just thought that a Pinto or Mustang II could be narrowed but I have never done it myself. hopefully someone out there has done it, also I was assuming that you may have converted your suspension and brakes to handle the extra power but I see that you are still running original wheels and brakes?
On my own 100e Anglia I am using modified Cortina front suspension and disk brakes with a 105e rear end, this also allows me to use conventional Ford 4 bolt wheels. I have heard that a Cortina Mk1 rear axle will fit under a 300e if using stock rims but again I have not done it. You may want to consider joining http://www.ford100e.org/ there is a wealth of information there and the group on the Forum is friendly. Keep in mind that the 100e wheel bolt pattern is very odd these days and you are very unlikely to find adapters of any sort.
Let us know how it goes.

Harrie D · Post by **Harrie D** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:56 pm

The 105E rearaxle could be fitted with an Escort MK1 and 2 RS2000 or Escort MK2 1600 Sport diff which would give 3.54 ratio . The diff fits in the axle without modification . To find this in USA is an other story .
Many Escort racers fit a Capri MK1 "atlas" axle which can be narowed and there are many ratio's available . Its capable of handling some extra hp aswell .
A wide range of rimms fit these axles .

Harrie

Brett Wilkie · Post by **Brett Wilkie** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:47 am

I did wonder about the Atlas axle but I don't know a lot about them, you say that they are easley narrowed?? There should be quite a few of those around, I think Cortina Mk3 and later Capris all ran them??
I will be using the 105e or "English Axle" in my 100e because I have them here already and with an assortment of ratios too but as you said they are not as strong as the Atlas. I remember years ago I was auto crossing a 2 litre powered Mk2 Cortina and I blew my English axle to bits but that was hard abuse.

Harrie D · Post by **Harrie D** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 5:58 pm

All the rearaxles of these Cortina's, Escorts and Capri's are easy to narow down , take of the wheelbearingholder narow the pipe down as requierd and weld the wheelbearingholder back in place , shaft resplined , fit leafspring brackets on right with and job done .
A Cortina MK3 can have depending on engine size two sizes of diffs , only the lager one is an Atlas , Capri's ( at least overhere ) can have also an "english axle" for smaler size engines , in Europe we had many more sizes of engine as in USA .
The other difference for the Cortina 3 , 4 and 5 range , it is fitted different and has no leafspring brackets .
In USA is also sold a non European Capri , don't know about those axles .
And yes , when you are racing you never know how long it lasts

Harrie

Brett Wilkie · Post by **Brett Wilkie** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:59 pm

So it sounds like not a bad job then to narrow the diffs and as far as the leaf spring mounts go, these have to be swapped or fabricated and then welded in place anyway to suit the 100e spring width.

mark · Post by **mark** » Tue Feb 11, 2014 6:34 pm

you guys in England sure have a lot more choices...with all your escorts, cortinas, and capris that are available. I rarely see a Capri or Cortina any more. I have never seen any Escorts made after the 100e !! (except for the 90's front wheel drive Escorts we have over here)
Keep the feedback coming...I really want to hear from the USA guys too.
thanks