16-09-2019, 04:51 PM
Matt, I agree with Howard, keep the U/J propshaft, unless you are going to great lengths to achieve an 'original' feel.
Your rear axle unless I'm much mistaken is a 1930/31 type, which is consistent with the rest of the car and probably the pick of the bunch anyway. You will have to count turns in vs turns out to establish what ratio it is - typically it would have started life as 4.9:1 but may have changed. You can buy new crown wheels and pinions from our cherished suppliers, not cheap but probably worth the investment. Think carefully though about gearing before choosing a CWP ratio, depending on your intended use of the car, wheel and tyre size, all-up weight, state of engine tune, etc etc. Generally A7's are over-geared and will go faster if you drop to a lower axle ratio. You may however lose a bit of the 'period charm' by doing so.
The front spring looks about right (though possibly it would benefit from a new one); but is that a 'straight' axle beam? The sports ones were lower (curved) and - again, depending on your aspirations - a touring beam can be bent to simulate this. Either might look odd if the body does not complement it. If the car is to be used for trials the extra ground clearance is a boon.
Your rear axle unless I'm much mistaken is a 1930/31 type, which is consistent with the rest of the car and probably the pick of the bunch anyway. You will have to count turns in vs turns out to establish what ratio it is - typically it would have started life as 4.9:1 but may have changed. You can buy new crown wheels and pinions from our cherished suppliers, not cheap but probably worth the investment. Think carefully though about gearing before choosing a CWP ratio, depending on your intended use of the car, wheel and tyre size, all-up weight, state of engine tune, etc etc. Generally A7's are over-geared and will go faster if you drop to a lower axle ratio. You may however lose a bit of the 'period charm' by doing so.
The front spring looks about right (though possibly it would benefit from a new one); but is that a 'straight' axle beam? The sports ones were lower (curved) and - again, depending on your aspirations - a touring beam can be bent to simulate this. Either might look odd if the body does not complement it. If the car is to be used for trials the extra ground clearance is a boon.