A major step in the life of the locost builder is that first visit to the scrapyard. Especially if it’s been a long time since you’ve had dirty nails, and you get blisters using a broom. But like most things, once you give it a go it’s really not such a big deal.
We aimed to visit 3 scrapyards, in Springs and Benoni. Our primary target was a 4.11 ratio diff from a Sierra (independent suspension). Our hopes were not high, having read all the forum posts saying how hard these diffs are to find. We figured that at least we’d find out “how the system works”, even if we don’t find anything.
Three scrapyards, three strikes, we were out. Leaving the third scrappy (about 12h30) we saw a sign to another scrappy. It seems scrapyards in springs close at 12pm, while those in Benoni close at 13h00. Deciding to give them a call, we were quite pleased to hear they were still open. We followed the sign and there it was.
B: “We want a 4.11 diff from a Sierra or Sapphire”
Them: “Which model is that”
B: “Ummm… bugger, should have looked that up. Never mind, just show us your diffs.”
None of the loose diffs had the even-prime combination we were looking for. So we moved onto the cars with diffs still attached.
D: “There’s a little metal tag, probably under all that gunk – can you read it to me?”
Them: “Oh-Six-Ee-Bee-Ar-Aye-Tee-One-Zero-Four-Point-One”
B: “Huh?”
So I checked, and this is what I saw:
Very excited we found out the price (reasonable, with room for haggling) but being clueless we were a bit worried that we’d get it wrong. So we decided to come back as soon as possible when we were sure that it was the right one.
A couple of emails to the Oracle confirmed our hopes, and gave us some guidance before purchasing:
- Check that it turns smoothly and that there is no grinding noise
- Have a look at the oil inside (large sump plug can be removed). Also check for metal shavings attached to the sump plug
- They are fairly indestructible – so don’t stress too much
A week later I was back, after phoning the friday beforehand to make sure they removed it for me ready for collection. Bright and early Saturday morning I arrived, and of course it was still firmly attached to the car.
This particular scrapyard doesn’t have a forklift, so it was removed by two chaps scrabbling in the mud, with dodgy tools. Finally it was out, and delicately put into the missus’ beautiful RunX. Getting it back out the RunX is a story of it’s own…
So we have our diff, it looks in excellent condition, and it’s onto the next thing. We just don’t know what that is.
B