PowerLock Ratio's

[taz 24]

As the next part of the cossie conversion i'm fitting a much needed powerlock diff, problem is which one???
I've trawled the Jag sites and found that there are several ratio's, however there is no clear definition of what car had what ratio.
Any help would be much appreciated as I will be facing a pick of different Jags next weekend, 1978-84 XJ12's & 1980-89 XJS's.

[shpub]

3:54 is the standard. 3:33 was an option.2.08 is a bit long for my liking.

be aware that 3:54 powerlocs are like hens' teeth: quoted over £1200 for one a few months ago. Eventually got one for around £300.
Difficult to find as kit car boys love them and they were not that common on Jags.

[taz 24]

Thanks Steve, any idea what the best model car to pull it off? I've got a wide selection to choose from. For info its a place in Wrexham, 'Legacy breakers', £250 for a complete back axle and your right, most of their customers are Cobra builders.

[shpub]

Doesn't quite work like that as you will have to go and see what they have. It is a swine of a job to take off/seperate BTW and the rear axle assembly weighs around 450 lb and you need a big van and a hoist to lift it.

The kit buys usually take the whole lot and re use it. Just go prepared.

[davidy]

shpub

Sorry to be piccy but wern't the ratios for the HU 3.54, 3.31, 3.09 and 2.88 ?? I had a 3.31 in my Taimar (same diff as a wedge), and replaced it with a 3.31 Powrlok. I did at one time have a 3.54 powrlok but I sold it many years ago for £180!!! (it came out or a Daimler Hearse, probably fairly gentle use, don't want to wake the dead).

I also understood that with very minor modification you could fit a Salisbury HA diff and these went up to 4.54 (very good for those short low speed sprints!!)

davidy

PS Steve is right about the weight, it is nigh on impossible to pick the diff up (impossible if you are a shandy drinking southerner (like myself )) Please look after your back, we don't want an PHers hospitalised .

[RAW-SEWedge]

On the subject of powerlocks, what is the split of power between the wheels. I have no idea what mine is as I’ve only seen it briefly once. It has a tag with PL stamped on it and I have a 1990 400SE.

[jmorgan]

davidy said:

PS Steve is right about the weight, it is nigh on impossible to pick the diff up (impossible if you are a shandy drinking southerner (like myself )) Please look after your back, we don't want an PHers hospitalised .

I dropped the 350 diff (gently) and tried to carry it to the work bench.....
Nope bad idea unless Hulk Hogan live next door for a hand.

Had to strip off the bits to lift it to the bench to work on. Well after stripping the bits it was only good for shipping for refurb. As the delivery guy found out, still heavy. Fun getting it back on. Tourniquet worked to get the jack under.
Correct liftng practises as well.



>> Edited by jmorgan on Thursday 24th October 23:01

[wedg1e]

davidy said:

(it came out or a Daimler Hearse, probably fairly gentle use, don't want to wake the dead).


davidy

---

Hmmmm... I recall the 'gentle use' that the cars used to get when I worked for the Co-op... ;-)
Most of the drivers were part-timers who didn't really give a stuff about the cars other than to see who could get the highest speed out of them.
One of the Granada 2.8 hearses was noted for exceeding 120 on a local split dual-carriage (i.e. drivers coming the other way couldn't see you!) and athough our 'first fleet' at the time was 2 litre Carltons, just after I left they got some 3-litre Senators that were seriously quick. Apparently...
Let's say you have a funeral in a country village, and you're running late from the last job. You can't bung Uncle Albert and the flowers on the top deck and give it large down the dual, it's not the done thing. So you slip the bod onto the lower deck, away from prying eyes, throw the flowers in the limos' boots and nail it.
Some hearses have enough room for 2 bods on the lower deck; it's not unknown to have a quiet passenger at a morning funeral, awaiting their turn later in the day!
Those Daimler hearses were based on the same chassis as the DS420 limo, about 2 tons unladen if I recall. The diff would get some stick alright!

Ian