Just a quickie - after a blast in the car today I found that the diff body was so hot that you could not touch it for more than a second or two. Is
this normal?
Cheers,
Matt.
i wouldnt have thought so, but then, what do i know?! you could work out from the % transmission power loss how much heat you would expect to be
shared between gearbox, diff and bearings. I myself would just check the diff oil level though!
should get warm not hot,check the amount of heat from the engine flowing out the rear end
on a hot day they could all add up,if iol is ok and no
noises just see how it goes
Thanks for the replies. I checked the oil level, which was fine, and on reflection I think conrod had the right idea (as usual 
) - my tunnel is
enclosed so all the heat from the rad, block and exhaust manifold is funnelled along the tunnel and straight over the diff, heating it up. I'm a
bit worried about the thinning effect this will have on the oil, but then sierra diffs are prety easy to come by and this one is not in the greatest
condition anyway so I don't really care!
On a related note, where can I pick up exhaust wrap - is there anywhere where I'll be able to buy it off the shelf or do I need to order from
Demon Tw4ts or similar?
Cheers,
Matt.
[Edited on 1/8/04 by matt_claydon]
this exhaust wrap stuff i keep reading about, would it be white rope like stuff?
I recall speaking to someone at the locost midland meet a year or so ago, who had a stuart taylor. His speedo sensor, mounted adjacent to the diff,
used to stop working once the diff heated up.....
atb
steve
[Edited on 1/8/04 by stephen_gusterson]
it appears as a fabric, woven from a white material that has an itch similar to fibreglass has. i got some from proven products, though if someone
finds it cheaper i would be grateful to know for future reference. Link to follow in 2 mins...
http://www.proven-products.co.uk/products/cooltek.htm
20 metres has done a 4-2-1 manifold and some 20 inches of the pipe thereafter, with maybe 5 metres spare.
[Edited on 1/8/04 by JoelP]
Matt
Try http://www.thinkauto.com
It looks like bandage!
Most places stock it, Woolies, Demons, Car Builder Solutions!
There is a 'formula' as to how much you need to use to make it effective, any less, and it wont work properly.
1 1/2" diameter pipe uses 6 feet of 1" wrap per foot of pipe.
2" diameter pipe uses 8 feet 2" of 1" wrap per foot of pipe.
After wrapping has dried (apply it wet), use the protective spray over the bandage for full effect.
You must fix with locking wire (stainless), or the 'straps'.
HTH
fozzie
Thanks guys, have ordered some from Think, which will hopefully arrive before my trip to Anglesey and help cool things under the bonnet down a bit!
Cheers,
Matt.
The Mclaren Mercedes SLR has a fully paneled bottom which means the diff gets no airflow.
It gets so hot it has an oil cooler rad fitted with a fan to cool the rad in the bottom of the boot.
James
bens site
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben_marriott/
quote:
Originally posted by Fozzie
It looks like bandage!
After wrapping has dried (apply it wet), use the protective spray over the bandage for full effect.
Very true David! have been using the 'wrap' in racing for many years now,and have only found the stuff that goes on 'wet' to be
the only effective product so far.
BTW its not normal paint thats used, but a specific one for exhaust wrap. It dries a silvery grey colour.
ATB
fozzie
High diff temperatures are not uncommon - especially when racing. Mocal do a great electric oil pump just for the job at less than £100 that can be
used to set up a diff oil cooler arrangement (I've found the ford fiesta transmission cooler rad which is about 10cm x 20cm new as cheap as £15
at autojumbles - newark etc.) - so if needed you could go this route for about £150 inc. hoses etc.
Rescued attachment moc.jpg