1800s Triumph herald axle.

[kneegrow]

How bombproof is the triumph herald axle. I am in the process of buying a 1800s with a tuscan V8 engine. Is the axle up to the job. If it isn't LSD can I get one, what other axles are interchangable. I am wondering if when I power this up whether my axle will go bang!!

CHEERS

[phil_vernall]

In short, no its not up to it . I didn't think that the Herald diff was standard in the 1800S. I have a Tuscan V6 and even that has a Salisbury in place of the standard (Triumph?) Vixen unit. If it is a Herald/Spitfire diff they only put out about 75 bhp so think what you're going to put through it!!

[philh]

the triumph 2.0 straight six breaks these diffs

[nwarner]

I thought the 1800S had an MGB diff in a TVR casing or was that just in the MKIV?

Apart from the diff. I wouldn't have thought the half shafts would be up to all the extra power.

[grantura1800s]

Nigel,

You are right. The 1800S is standard fitted with a MGB diff in a TVR casing. It is the so called Banjo type from the 1965 en 1966 MGB's. Ratio 1:3.9.

Kind regards,
Serge
http://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel

[kneegrow]

Ok, This is a problem car. It is registered D 1966, It has a 2a body but was a tvr muck about development car. It is very odd and apparantly was one of the first they played V8s with. The ford V8 went bang and this guy bought it to play with fitted with a very raced up rover V8 which is not original by half. He seems to think there is a herald axle in the back, but he could be going on 2a data. I would hesitate at using a herald axle. However it has IRS and so I suppose it could be a possibility. This development car is wearing what I could see as an 1800s chassis. It sounds very weird and a bit dodgy but this chap has full documentation for the car. Which axles would be up to the job? I havent done enough research yet but I imagine the Griff 200,400 wear something rather expensive which this could have. It is a very impressive car and is in very good order but the axles issue is important to get straight now as I have smashed many a Morris Minor halfshaft!! Any comments appreciated.

thanks

[duncs]

If the car really does have a herald diff you can replace it with a vitesse/GT6/Spitty Mk4 or 1500 diff. You will also need to change the flanges on the half shafts to suit (same UJ size so it's easy). There are a couple of ratios to choose from (dependent on donor car)but the main thing is that they are much stronger.
I have run a kit car with 140bhp at the wheels for 10 years and only broken 1 diff in all that time. I reckon that the key to diff survival is a light car with fairly skinny tyres, that way if you boot it the wheels just spin - great for showing off and the diff is ok! These diffs are not strong but the real plus point is that they are dirt cheap second hand (anything from free to £50). Sure you might break one or two but it's only a couple of hours to replace once you get the hang of it. The other consideration is that the diff can be a usefull "weak link", so preserving more important half shafts etc. You can get hold of LSD diffs and special ratios but they are very expensive.
If you need to chat about ratios, identification etc give me a call. I've been a particularly sad Triumph anorak in my past and I might be able to help.
Duncan - 01433 630192.

[kneegrow]

Ok, This is a weird car. It was the grantura Mk2a which was fitted with a V8 and shipped back to the UK. According to legend, the suspention was changed as the 2a was not up to the job. I know that the rear axle on this has IRS like the herald. I think that the MG just had a normal axle. The greal griffiths I think used the MK3 1800s axle which was an MGB item. TVR were the first owners of this car and kept it unrelesed for 4 years and in that time allsorts could have happened to it. When I get it home I will find out for sure. I have not found any reference for souping up one of these axles. I also find it hard to believe that Griffith would have just put a v8 in without sorting the brakes and axle. The suspention is almost identical to the MK2 vixen. I think I will have a problem finding out what is what on this odd car. Thanks chaps.