14 bolt shave job

[Matt'sXJ]

Bought a $100 14 bolt. Need a shave.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06897.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06898.jpg

precision cutting tool set at 15 degrees for pinion angle.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06899.jpg

freshly wacked
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06900.jpg

recessed 1/4" plate in opening and welded inside and out and ground smooth outside
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06902.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06903.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06904.jpg

[Matt'sXJ]

added 1/4" plate to bottom and used torch to form and built up weld to smooth out. ran out of mig wire and then cleaned up what I had with a grinder. need to do a little more filling and smoothing before I start on the cover.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06905.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06906.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06907.jpg

Took about 3 minutes to cut the bottom with the circular saw. I had to finish the cut with a sawzall. I gained 1 7/8" clearance. I have to take 1/2" off the diameter of the ring gear. I should have about 1/2" more clearance than I have with my shaved 60 housing.

[PDK]

friggin awesome!!!

where did you find a $100 14b?

[Matt'sXJ]

You can get 14 bolts out of the u-pull it less than $100 anytime. I got this one from a friend's neighbor. Saved me from having to pull it.

[Denny]

You did a good job on it. I like the idea of using the circular saw. :cool:

[fjmf]

so did you find a machine shop to do the ring gear for you?

Is the circular saw a wood saw with metal blade or special saw?

[Matt'sXJ]

standard wood saw with a $2.00 cut off blade in it. A friend is going to turn down the ring gear for me.

[admar2]

good deal!


my 14b is bent quite a bit. its not the HD version so I guess its the tubes that bent.

gonna look for an HD one to swap in. I'd love to cut mine down like that.

2 things scare me though.

1. doing that welding, I've heard the 14b center sections are brittle. did you use nickel rods or mig? did you pre-heat?

2. finding someone to cut down the ring gear for me.

[Matt'sXJ]

I preheated and postheated. I used a mig. The cast appears to have taken the weld really well. I did a lot of research and found that post heating lets everything relax from the welding pulling on the metal. I am going to weld my tubes to the center section and truss it for my 4 link.
My buddy is taking my ring rear to work and is going to take off the outermost part of the gear with some big *** sander and then true it up in a lathe. I will knock the sharp edges off the ring gear before I install it to prevent it from chipping.

[Matt'sXJ]

Pretty much finished with modding the housing.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06909.jpg

Cut the bottom off of stock diff cover and put a 1/2" thick piece on the bottom to hold up against the elements. Back of the diff cover sits 1/16" higher than the housing to help keep it from hanging up. It's now a 13 bolt. :huh:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06910.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06911.jpg
inside cover
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06912.jpg

Ring gear has 1/4" clearance with 3/4" taken off the diameter.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06913.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/Matt78/shaved%2014%20bolt/DSC06914.jpg

The bottom of the diff is 5 1/2" from the centerline of the axle. My 60 is almost 6 1/2". :flipoff

Lot of work but worth it in my opinion.

[BrianM]

very nice