Quick change rear end

Yes, it has been done and was very common for racing in the old days. They did make a Quick Change for the Model A rear ends. I think it is currently being reproduced in Australia. The Quick Change for the later V-8 rear end is currently being reproduced here in the US.

The advantage is you can easily change the final drive ratio. The disadvantage is they are expensive and if you are using the original "change gears", they are VERY NOISEY. We refer to a quick change as a "Howler" for good reason. There are helical gears available for the V-8 rear end that are much quieter but it requires some special bearings in the rear cover to accommodate the end thrust. I do not know if helical gears are available for the Model A rear end. The Model A gears are shorter than the V-8 gears.

I have used a Model A quick-Change in an old A V-8 Hot Rod I had and I am currently running a V-8 "Changer" in my old original chopped and channeled '34 3 Window Coupe. These are both pure Hot Rods and this is what you would expect.

Unless you plan to often be changing the rear end ratio, I do not think a Quick Change is practical. I think a Mitchell Overdrive gives you the best of both worlds.

My experience and my opinion,

Chris W.
 
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Derek has retired from the QC business to spend more time with his Bonneville race car

Production has carried on though, now in NSW Australia

Quality product. I've got one :)
 

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Juggler said:
Derek has retired from the QC business to spend more time with his Bonneville race car

Production has carried on though, now in NSW Australia

Quality product. I've got one :)
Click to expand...

I stand corrected.
Anybody got any idea what they are worth?
 
I used a Halibrad 101in my 1929 RPU.....more for looks, as I also have a 5 speed out of a S-10 4x4....keeping the torque tube
 
Yes, I have a Halibrand V8 in my coupe with a T5.

The howling gears goes back to the days of square-ish tooth pattern on the change gears.
Modern gears with involute shape reduce the gear howling quite a bit.

J
 
I run an early Halibrand in my speedster. I drive on the street and run hill climbs so there is a definite advantage for me. John is right about modern QC gears, they are quite quiet. I run a 6.40:1 ratio on hill climbs, and start in 2nd gear, it saves the time taken to shift once instead of twice.
 
Yes i sold the patterns to ted wrigg in aussie , they are still being produced in NZ & Ted does the marketing, Both the Model A version & the V8 style , Greg at Pro machining in NZ is currently looking into a dual ratio model ,plus an independent quick change rear ,
 
We run one of Derek's V8 QC rears in our Bonneville lakester. It went together easily and we have had no problems with it. 167 MPH is the best time to-date.
 
Mike Moore in WA (AKA QuickChangeMike on Instagram) turns original Ford banjo centers into quick changes like they did back in the day. I just had him do a V8 center for me. They are works of machining art. He only builds 2-3 a year, so if this what you are looking for reach out to him.
 
Jim Brierley said:
I run an early Halibrand in my speedster. I drive on the street and run hill climbs so there is a definite advantage for me. John is right about modern QC gears, they are quite quiet. I run a 6.40:1 ratio on hill climbs, and start in 2nd gear, it saves the time taken to shift once instead of twice.
Click to expand...

Wow deep gears. What will that top out at?
 
quickchange said:
Yes i sold the patterns to ted wrigg in aussie , they are still being produced in NZ & Ted does the marketing, Both the Model A version & the V8 style , Greg at Pro machining in NZ is currently looking into a dual ratio model ,plus an independent quick change rear ,
Click to expand...

Hey Derek,
Where do people get the idea/sentiment that your QC, and for that matter metal timing gears, are noisy...'too noisy' ?

I had one of your model a QC in my roadster for years and if anything, they are too quiet !
Same same with McCeachern(?) metal timing gears ...even straight cut ?

Derek...can you send me PM with new info for acquiring model a QC..
 
Contact for them twrigg@outlook.com
Always use winters gears , made in usa , they are the best ,almost quiet , due too the clearances , To look at they are straight cut , but under microscope the shape is revealed , If no response from Ted , get back to me & ill put you in touch with the machine shop,
 
jetmek, not sure but it'll easily run 55 or so, enough to win several hill climbs.

Tim Ayers, Dan Iandola and I ran a 'Bart-built' QC in our lakester years ago. It was fabricated out of a V8 rear and had a hat-shaped cover. Looked crude but worked fine.
 
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