clear diff cover

Bosko5.0 · Oct 12, 2006

what do you guys think of this
new rear end
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=126758

i need a new diff cover for my new 3.55 rearend build; I like the fact that you can check the fluid level easy, and also you can watch the gears rotate .

So what do you think?

or just

vp6799 · Oct 12, 2006

It looks cool, but I don't know how long it will stay nice and clear???

Vic

Dan95-5.0 · Oct 12, 2006

for that much money, you might as well buy a TA girdle

heres a pic of mine

OrangeMustangGt · Oct 12, 2006

yeah, get the girdle...it actually strengthens the rear

Henceforward · Oct 12, 2006

How wouldn't that clear thing fog up, crack, or deform with the high temps seen in the rear differential...

Plus as mentioned a beefier cover will strengthen the rear.

This one is around $200

Bosko5.0 · Oct 12, 2006

how does it strenghten the rearend, but its a stock engine, i dont think the rear end would need strenghtening,and could i just get a brace to strenghten it?

Henceforward · Oct 12, 2006

Bosko5.0 said:
how does it strenghten the rearend

Um, those two big ole load bolts that come with the cover?

Load bolts provide additional support for differential bearing caps.

Here is a bit more pedagogy.

Evan J. Smith said:
More than just a fancy add-on, JDM, JPW, MW, Moser, T/A, Strange, and Summit girdles are made from strengthened aluminum and feature thick flanges, structural bracing, and fill and drain plugs to simplify fluid servicing. These aftermarket girdles are also a bit larger than standard covers because it helps them clear larger ring gears and allows for an extra half quart of rear fluid. Yet the real benefit to any girdle lies in the two load bolts that are integrated into each design. The load bolts can be seen protruding out the back of the covers; I'll explain their purpose in a moment.

During a drag race launch, the pinion gear is smacked into action, and it slams the ring gear and sends it into motion. At the same time, the torque delivered by the engine, transmission, and driveshaft drives the pinion, ring gear, and differential rearward. In simple terms, the force tries to smash the differential out the back of the rear housing. The loading is only resisted by the main caps, which hold the differential in place. Often, the force is severe enough that it distorts the main caps and causes them to crack and fail. The loading also causes the ring-and-pinion gears to spread apart from each other, leaving the skinny ends of the teeth in contact, the result of which are broken gears.

The good news it that aftermarket girdles are stronger than stock stamped-steel covers found on most factory rears, and, as I mentioned above, they benefit from the loading bolts that are fitted through the covers. Each of the two loading bolts has a swivel foot on the end that butts up against the center of the main caps and preloads the cap to counteract the loading seen on launch or hard acceleration. Though the system sounds simple, it has a wonderful effect, often increasing the longevity of internal parts.

When installing the new cover, first run the load bolts out so they don't contact the caps, then install the cover and torque the retaining bolts to the housing. Next, run in the load bolts until they contact the caps, then torque them to 5 to 10 foot-pounds (the exact specs vary per manufacturer). Believe it or not, that's all that is required to apply the proper amount of preload. Last, lock the load bolts into place with locknuts.

I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot when I say that I've run a T/A cover on my Stocker since 1995 and have been never had a rear breakage. As do most stick cars, my Mustang tends to wear out a ring-and-pinion every few seasons, but the Royal Purple fluid always looks good, and things pretty much stay in check. I highly recommend a rear-end girdle on any strip or high-performance street application. It's a nice way to cover up any rear problems that the car may experience.

Evan J. Smith is the tech editor for Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and a contributor to High Performance Pontiac and GM High Tech Performance magazines.

Copyright National Hot Rod Association Aug 29, 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Bosko5.0 · Oct 12, 2006

point taken , and i was just about to ask what the 2 bolts were for.

reddy351 · Oct 12, 2006

Not trying to be a smart-a**, but how often do you get under your car to look at the gears spinning? There is a big ole gas tank in the way of anyone else seeing it.

AznStanger3v · Oct 12, 2006

i personally think its cool

he doesnt need to strengthen the main caps load. his car isnt putting anywhere near the power for that. and i think they took those other flaws into consideration before they designed it. i dont think they just cut some pieces out of a milk carton and said have at it. itll be something no one has. id like to see the pictures too. good find

Methodical · Oct 13, 2006

Uhmmm. I've been considering one of those rear end covers - T/A or others that is.

94-302-vert · Oct 13, 2006

I could see putting a clear cover on a truck where you can see the diff, on a mustang it is really never going to be seen. I would go with the girdle cover if you are set to change it out.

Wi Stang · Oct 13, 2006

Looking at the clear cover, I wonder how you are supposed to put the gear oil in the differential? It doesn't look like there is an opening to do that.
Am I missing something??

rs-turbo · Oct 13, 2006

So what are people's recommendation on other covers? A local shop recommended the Ford Racing cover, which they said now says SVO on it. Although when searching online, I see both out there. Is there a difference? I think he said the SVO is made by TA. What about other brands, like Trick Flow showed above, or Mac? Are there differences in the various units? Pros and Cons? My stock cover was bent by the previous owner and has been leaking since I got the car in 02. Also been considering doing gears in the future (be great to do both at the same time, but might end up as two different projects). If I swapped covers now, are there any issues to swap gears later with any of these covers, like a special gasket design each manufacturer might use for their cover?

Mike

Bosko5.0 · Oct 13, 2006

i would get it more for checkin fluid levels and if i need to change it i fine with using the stock filler hole,

and i believe that you could just use rtv for a gasket

thanks for your input.

vp6799 · Oct 13, 2006

Wi Stang said:
Looking at the clear cover, I wonder how you are supposed to put the gear oil in the differential? It doesn't look like there is an opening to do that.
Am I missing something??

I thought the fill hole was in the diff itself, not the cover??

HISSIN50 · Oct 13, 2006

Yes, the stock fill plug is in the pumpkin housing itself. The stock drain is your face after you pry the cover off.

That's the biggest appeal of girdles to me - drain and fill plugs in the cover itself. The stock cover flexes a little bit (one reason that it does not have a drainplug from the factory) - I'd guess the polycarbonate is pretty flexxy then? I wonder if it gets brittle in the cold?

I actually do think that a metal cover (like a girdle) with a sight-glass would be cool (like motorcycles have for motor/trans oil). No structural issues but you can glance and see fluid. Does that make too much sense?

gcomfx.com · Oct 13, 2006

rs-turbo said:
So what are people's recommendation on other covers? A local shop recommended the Ford Racing cover, which they said now says SVO on it. Although when searching online, I see both out there. Is there a difference? I think he said the SVO is made by TA. What about other brands, like Trick Flow showed above, or Mac? Are there differences in the various units? Pros and Cons? My stock cover was bent by the previous owner and has been leaking since I got the car in 02. Also been considering doing gears in the future (be great to do both at the same time, but might end up as two different projects). If I swapped covers now, are there any issues to swap gears later with any of these covers, like a special gasket design each manufacturer might use for their cover?

Mike

The trickflow doesn't appear to have the extra fill hole... just a drain plug.

gcomfx.com · Oct 13, 2006

I think the clear one would be kewl to see once.... just not sure I would pay that kinda money for it all the time.

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