Sunbeam Ghost from 35 years ago. I need my head examined

nakedhacienda · June 22, 2014, 07:52:07 PM

I bought the Donor car. The Seller said the guy that owned the car claimed a 4.10 BUT his father ( the guy that put it in) said no it wasn't a 4.10, but a 3.73 with PosiTraction. I got a fairly decent looking 5.0 Ltr with EFI with the deal and I will pull the EFI off (sell) and go with my 4 BRL Holley I got with the Sunbeam. I also started cutting the Transmisssion Tunnel out, since my little Frankenstein has a scary looking tunnel.. I'm pulling everything else that is worth selling or using and will either take to the scrap yard or just sell as scrap metal.
The rear end isn't coil over, but is coil spring, so I'm thinking converting to coil over. thoughts??

Thanks for the info!

mgb260 · June 22, 2014, 09:50:00 PM

John, Here you go :

http://www.welderseries.com/blog/online-store/four-link-kit-rear-8-8-ford/

http://www.welderseries.com/blog/online-store/rear-crossmember-kit/

nakedhacienda · June 22, 2014, 09:57:11 PM

Ok, that is cool! The present undercarraige looks similar.... I'm wondering if those arms will just replace the FORD linkages? What do you guys think? Would you shorten the rear end or buy the wheels that Jim Nichols showed? I have some really decent looking wheels, and I do plan on putting wheel well flares. Thoughts...

Thanks!

JohnS

mgb260 · June 23, 2014, 12:36:35 PM

John, the control arms are longer than stock Mustang to be universal and trim to fit. Most triangular 4 bar setups use the front spring bracket for the front lower mount. You still need to do the MGB rack and pinion and do the Tiger firewall to set motor back. Then the shifter will be too far back with the Mustang tailhousing. Use a S-10 tailhousing. I'm going to use a universal (Speedway Motors) tubular mount (picture is on Buick motor)for the engine to bolt to the old Alpine frame steering mount locations and copy the Tiger transmission mount. Speedway motors also have reasonably priced small diameter drivelines in multiple lengths. To determine length slide front yoke all the way in and pull out 1". Measure Ujoint to Ujoint for length needed. The stock Alpine/Tiger rear axle width is 51",almost identical to MGB wire wheel width. Your Mustang axle is around 60" wide (wider than the early 8" which is 56") so needs to be narrowed. The Alpine rear is a little too narrow stock as there is clearance issues with frame and spring. If I was you I would call Moser and order axles 26" long for 53" width wheel to wheel mounting. Are your mags factory or aftermarket?

Link to 4 bar instructions
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26254738/Instructions/318500IN.pdf

nakedhacienda · June 23, 2014, 10:17:39 PM

Here they are, 1985 Mustang (FoxBody) wheels, they're ok.. If I can find something else better I will...

mgb260 · June 23, 2014, 10:53:08 PM

John, those wheels look good. Even better without the Ford hubcaps.

nakedhacienda · June 23, 2014, 11:07:24 PM

I will HAVE to find some center caps without the FORD! Either that or use the Wheels you suggested. I should have the rear end out this weekend, the steering gear will not work from the Mustang? I will start looking around for a MG Steering gear

nakedhacienda · June 23, 2014, 11:16:14 PM

Kevin, sorry, not sure about turning the wheels, I haven't had it up on the Jack. You are correct of course, it is an 8.8 not a 9 inch. I should have it off this weekend, I will give it a try, it's supposedly a PosiTrac, we'll see...

nakedhacienda · June 28, 2014, 08:01:55 PM

Coil overs, I spoke with a HOT ROD Shop. He says $500 TO Narrow my rearend.. He said I should have bought a Ranger Rear end.. Oh well. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew the length of Coil overs I should get? Should I measure from the AXLE UP? Is that how you figure their length ? I guess it sounds like a stupid question.

Thanks in advance for the direction.

JohnS

nakedhacienda · June 29, 2014, 01:25:37 PM

Got the Mustang rearend out, I am told that none of the mounting brackets will work with the Sunbeam and I should have bought a Ford Ranger rearend (oh well at least I got a PosiTrac, an Engine, and 4 Wheels for my $600 bucks) perhaps I haven't wasted too much time and money. I have found an MGA steering gear on EBAY and will check to see if it's equivalent to the MGB. Here are some new Pics of the Car, Notice the steering gear, kinda scary but it worked, I think the R&P will be a big improvement. I also cut out the Transmission tunnel from the Mustang, perhaps it will save a little sheet metal work, but maybe not. We'll see.
I will take the remainder of the car to the scrape yard, it's a shame the steernig gear will not fit.

nakedhacienda · June 29, 2014, 01:26:32 PM

Got the Mustang rearend out, I am told that none of the mounting brackets will work with the Sunbeam and I should have bought a Ford Ranger rearend (oh well at least I got a PosiTrac, an Engine, and 4 Wheels for my $600 bucks) perhaps I haven't wasted too much time and money. I have found an MGA steering gear on EBAY and will check to see if it's equivalent to the MGB. Here are some new Pics of the Car, Notice the steering gear, kinda scary but it worked, I think the R&P will be a big improvement. I also cut out the Transmission tunnel from the Mustang, perhaps it will save a little sheet metal work, but maybe not. We'll see.
I will take the remainder of the car to the scrape yard, it's a shame the steering gear will not fit.

nakedhacienda · June 29, 2014, 01:28:15 PM

some more pics

mgb260 · June 29, 2014, 05:26:51 PM

John, Probably not enough room for the big cast ears on top. You could cut them off and weld top brackets on the axle tubes. You have the same wheel bolt pattern with that axle. The 83-92 ranger short side axle on each side would be perfect width but 5 lug. Coil over shock travel; the stock rear shocks interchange with 68 Camaro. About 18" extended and 12" compressed. You can't use the top stock mounts with a coil over. You would weld a piece of round or square tubing across the frame rails like in the link at Welder series. QA1 has a inexpensive non adjustable coil over that is 15" extended and 9" compressed for the 6" travel. I would recommend 250lb 10" springs, set mounted length about 12.5". For the firewall I'm making a box about 1' deep before the tunnel for more room. Motor mounts bolt on where the Alpine steering gear was. MGA rack may be adapted but I know the MGB one works,

nakedhacienda · June 29, 2014, 05:40:23 PM

Thanks. I found a B steering gear, no reason modifying something I don't have to! It was suggested that I get ajustable Coil Overs in case I wanted to race (which I would eventually). I'm not to upset about my rearend, though I guess I have some grinding to do!.. I think the $500 is a little steep, just to narrow it, but that is him doing all the work, The speed shop says $500 to narrow, $500 for decent Coilovers and $1000 to put it under the car with a 4 link, which sounds reasonable when you add it all up like that, but alas I can't afford THAT! So I will be scouting the alternatives, Thanks for again sending me in the correct direction.

JohnS

mgb260 · June 29, 2014, 06:18:32 PM

John, I'll be using the existing leaf springs and bolt on Tractionmaster type traction bars. I posted a picture of the firewall mod above. You will need the MGB bolt on steering arms also.

pspeaks · July 06, 2014, 10:16:24 PM

John, I'm not all that familiar with your project so should give no advice but I've dealt with a lot of narrowed rear ends and would suggest, unless your using two stock short side axles, adding the cost of axles to your planning. Axles and bearings can easily cost $500.

Paul

Sidecardoug · June 02, 2017, 08:35:47 PM

The Jeep Dana 44 prior to about 2004-5 has the same lug pattern as the early Mustang-
5 on 4 1/2 inches. The Dana 44 was widely used for many applications, and there are a
lot of gear ratios available for this rear end, as well as many types of limited slip, ranging
from lockers to the Torsen diff.