LSD option

[brokencase]

Saw this on ebay, it's a "Quaife clone" helical LSD. Brand is "BlackLine"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/403077171042

I see that some places in UK sell it for around 399 pounds. That is about $450 at current exchange rates, but shipping will probably take you to the price that the ebay ad is selling it at.

Given that MC2Racing is out of biz and no longer providing LSD's then this seems like a viable option and is much less costly than the Quaife unit.

Discussed in the Z4 forum here...
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=102831

If you scroll down about halfway one poster tears one down.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Very interesting. I'm surprised a company would bother at this point for such a limited market. And furthermore, note that it's only for the 7" rings, not the 7.5" that Merkurs and Cosworths have.

[brokencase]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

[Vovan]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

There was a factory differential with a viscous coupling based lock. I have one on my Merkur.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

There was a factory differential with a viscous coupling based lock. I have one on my Merkur.

Sounds like you have the Cossie version. No Merkurs came with any type of limited slip despite what was printed in magazines at the time.

[Vovan]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

There was a factory differential with a viscous coupling based lock. I have one on my Merkur.

Sounds like you have the Cossie version. No Merkurs came with any type of limited slip despite what was printed in magazines at the time.

I don't know exactly what the Merkur had. But Ford Scorpio in Europe had LSD-differentials with different engines.

[Vovan]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

There was a factory differential with a viscous coupling based lock. I have one on my Merkur.

Sounds like you have the Cossie version. No Merkurs came with any type of limited slip despite what was printed in magazines at the time.

My LSD-diff from Ford Scorpio 2.8

[my8950]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

7.5" GM unit is what can be used.
Some modification of the housing is required.
MC2 instructions explain what needs to happen. If you don't have them, I believe I do, and I could email them to you.

[brokencase]

Well heck. I thought that would would work in the Scorpio. I wonder if they make one for the 7.5"

7.5" GM unit is what can be used.
Some modification of the housing is required.
MC2 instructions explain what needs to happen. If you don't have them, I believe I do, and I could email them to you.

Yeah, I saw that but was hoping for a Quaiffe clone drop in.

[my8950]

Yeah, I saw that but was hoping for a Quaiffe clone drop in.

You're talking big faces now...And I don't think as reliable.

[brokencase]

Yeah, well it does not matter much now as they don't make a 7.5"

However it bears mentioning that they do offer these diffs for many other vehicles, especially old British i.e., Spridget and Triumph Spit/GT6.

I do have the instructions to fit the GM 7.5 inch. As I recall you have to oval the holes slightly for a larger circle pattern and perform some shimming.

The other option I have discussed previously is to bag the stock Scorpio ABS and substitute traction control ABS unit from a 2000ish Crown Vic. Let the rear discs become the limited slip.

[my8950]

What's your clearance Clarence?

[brokencase]

The instructions I have are for this unit... Is this what you have used?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234077293537

[brokencase]

My info regarding GM 7.5" LSD installation from the old IMON list is below.

From: JChristou@aol.com
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 11:14:04 -0400
Subject: [Merkur] Auburn Limited Slip

I have found a way to use the Auburn limited slip in the merkur rear. The Ford
7.5 unit will not fit, but the GM 7.5 can be altered to work. It takes some
machining, but at less than $300 it's a bargain compared to the viscous unit
($1700) I can provide details to any who are interested.

Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 15:50:54 -0400
From: JChristou@aol.com
Subject: [Merkur] Limited slip

OK the unit to use is the GM 7.5 this has the correct spline count(26)
The holes for the ring gear need to be elongated .030 towards the center.
a spacer needs to be made to sit under the side bearing on the ring gear
side.
This needs to be appx .090 thick. This brings the end to end and end to shoulder
distance almost the same as our unit. The adjusters in the side of the case
will make up any difference.
The carrier bearings are the same size, so they press right on. Getting the
old ones off is another thing, I got one off and ruined the other($90 each!)
The halfshafts go right in, but spacers must also be made for under the C
clips
I had to replace the C-clips with a snap ring similar to the one in the CV
joint, because with the stock C clips in place the spring which puts pressure
on the cones would not fit back in.
Thats it!

This worked with 3.64 gears, I don't know what would happen with other
ratios, because the thickness of the ring gear changes.
Many have asked if this would work with the Scorpio. I have no idea if the
rear is the same in this car.
Because of the depth of this project I got a rear from a parts car to build,
and then switched them. I spent four months of weekends trying different
combination before
I got everything the way I wanted.
You MUST change the fluid in this unit every 5-10,000 miles or iy will go
bad.

Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 22:06:15 -0400
From: JChristou@aol.com
Subject: [Merkur] Auburn Part #

My last few messages have echoed garbled, so once again the part # for the
Auburn LSD is 542057. I payed $259.99 from Jeg's . I believe that all 7.5 GM
factory rears were open, so no junkyard equivalent is available.

From: JChristou@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 21:45:43 -0400
Subject: [Merkur] Re: # of the LSD Auburn

For all who wish to try the Auburn swap the part # is 542057. I paid
$259.99 plus shipping. The hardest part of this swap is elongating the holes,
they must be precise, or the ring gear will not be concentric to the carrier.

Installing a LSD is not an entry level project, if you don't know how to
read gear patterns, or use an indicator have someone do it for you.
The service manual shows a tool to fit the bearing adjuster, and turn it, but
an open end wrench can be wedged into the prongs and turned like a T handle.

Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 22:41:42 -0400
From: JChristou@aol.com
Subject: [Merkur] Re: LSD on the CONVERTIBLE

One of the most critical steps in this buildup is the concentricity of the
ring gear to the Auburn carrier. Indicate the gear withe the bolts snugged
up.If it's true great, if not take it apart and fix it. When checking gear
play rotate the ring gear to find the tightest spot. Use this spot for
checking. Don't be afraid to set clearence to the large side of the
tolerance given in the Helm manual. Many first timers set gears too tight
because the clunking noise they make when rocking the ring gear scares them.
The noise will go away when the case is filled with oil. The fluid should be
changed after the first 500 miles. Recheck the clearence.
From: JChristou@aol.com
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 11:14:04 -0400
Subject: [Merkur] Auburn Limited Slip

I have found a way to use the Auburn limited slip in the merkur rear.The Ford
7.5 unit will not fit, but the GM 7.5 can be altered to work. It takes some
machining, but at less than $300 it's a bargain compared to the viscous unit
($1700) I can provide details to any who are interested.

Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 15:50:54 -0400
From: JChristou@aol.com
Subject: [Merkur] Limited slip

OK the unit to use is the GM 7.5 this has the correct spline count(26)
The holes for the ring gear need to be elongated .030 towards the center.
a spacer needs to be made to sit under the side bearing on the ring gear
side.This
needs to be appx .090 thick. This brings the end to end and end to shoulder
distance almost the same as our unit. The adjusters in the side of the case
will make up any difference.
The carrier bearings are the same size, so they press right on. Getting the
old ones off is another thing, I got one off and ruined the other($90 each!)
The halfshafts go right in, but spacers must also be made for under the C
clips
I had to replace the Cclips with a snap ring similar to the one in the CV
joint, because with the stock C clips in place the spring which puts pressure
on the cones would not fit back in.
Thats it!
this worked with 3.64 gears, I don't know what would happen with other
ratios, because the thickness of the ring gear changes.
Many have asked if this would work with the Scorpio. I have no idea if the
rear is the same in this car.
Because of the depth of this project I got a rear from a parts car to build,
and then switched them. I spent four months of weekends trying different
combination before
I got everything the way I wanted.
You MUST change the fluid in this unit every 5-10,000 miles or iy will go
bad.

Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 22:06:15 -0400
From: JChristou@aol.com
Subject: [Merkur] Auburn Part #

My last few messages have echoed garbled, so once again the part # for the
Auburn LSD is 542057. I payed $259.99 from Jeg's . I believe that all 7.5 GM
factory rears were open, so no junkyard equivalent is available.

From: JChristou@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 21:45:43 -0400
Subject: [Merkur] Re: # of the LSD Auburn

For all who wish to try the Auburn swap the part # is 542057. I paid
$259.99 plus shipping. The hardest part of this swap is elongating the holes,
they must be precise, or the ring gear will not be concentric to the carrier.

Installing a LSD is not an entry level project, if you don't know how to
read gear patterns, or use an indicator have someone do it for you.
The service manual shows a tool to fit the bearing adjuster, and turn it, but
an open end wrench can be wedged into the prongs and turned like a T handle.

Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 22:41:42 -0400
From: JChristou@aol.com
Subject: [Merkur] Re: LSD on the CONVERTIBLE

One of the most critical steps in this buildup is the concentricity of the
ring gear to the Auburn carrier. Indicate the gear withe the bolts snugged
up.If it's true great, if not take it apart and fix it. When checking gear
play rotate the ring gear to find the tightest spot. Use this spot for
checking. Don't be afraid to set clearence to the large side of the
tolerance given in the Helm manual. Many first timers set gears too tight
because the clunking noise they make when rocking the ring gear scares them.
The noise will go away when the case is filled with oil. The fluid should be
changed after the first 500 miles. Recheck the clearence.

[my8950]

The instructions I have are for this unit... Is this what you have used?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234077293537

I actually haven't done the swap yet. I've been dreaming of it for a few years now, but haven't actually gone through with it. With that cheap diff setup, it may work out fine, not sure though if I would go that way or just get the actual Eaton. My initial plan was to just get a GM diff from a trans am or some donor vehicle to make the fit, possibly use it for the time being to see if it is worth getting the Eaton. I'm sure it is worth it, but, just a trial run.

The instructions you posted are good...I don't have access to my old emails anymore unfortunately. The spacer sounds a bit challenging, curious how to do that with no issue, on the first attempt.