Quality Parts Are Cheap Race Parts

[Larry Hill]

I have found out, sometimes the hard way, that it pays to follow advice from more experienced racers on what to purchase for my race car.

Case in point. 1991: My car would break a 8 3/4 once or twice a year after we took the 383 out and installed the six pack. All the stick guys at "Union Hill" said put a Dana 60 in. It won't break and it should not slow you down. The "Should not slow you down" made me feel uneasy, especially after my first Indy and a C/SA class win at Indy in 1990.

So in May 1991 I order a new Dana 60 rear end with spool, axles, pro gear, and a big yoke from Herb McCandless in North Carolina. I think it cost me $800 plus truck freight. We installed it in June of '91. So we have had this Dana 60 for 27 years. If you subtract the 5 years the car spent being in "Paint Prison" and being ignored by me, it has 22 years of great service. The maintenance we did was an oil change and inspect every two years.

Well after 22 years the pinion died this past weekend at the combo race at Bowling Green. My guess is 1500 to 2000 runs on the ring and pinion, not bad for $800, and we still have all the rest of the parts. New parts $400, a little time, and I'm back at the track.

The Dana 60 from Herb has been the cheapest consumable part I have ever bought.

I wonder if it still has any warranty left?

[1matcoman]

Wow! Great post, Larry.
That investment was better than the Dow on its best day.

[CMcAllister]

Likely not many of the people reading this, but a lot people just don't get it. Trying to get by with parts not up to the task is one problem. Thinking stuff doesn't wear out and lasts forever is another. Things like shocks, springs, rod ends, plug wires, fuel pumps, carbs, electrical and ignition items - they install them, and then run them for years without a second thought, until it fails. Or they end up wondering why the car is missing, spinning, inconsistent etc., etc., "all of a sudden".

[Tim H]

There is an expression something like "when was the last time you were sorry you bought the best?"

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Tim H

There is an expression something like "when was the last time you were sorry you bought the best?"

I like that.

[MFR440]

We got nearly that many runs out of our 8 3/4, but the last few times we raced, we destroyed 2 of them, rings and pinions both times. We don't push ours as hard as you do, but if built right they can last for quite a while.

Now Dana 60's start at $2500 and go up quickly from there - wonder if Herb has any more $800 units lying around? lol!

[Rod Greene]

And I know for a fact that a properly set up Dana is worth some ET over an 8 3/4. For you slush o matic guys rear end failure usually takes out the trans too. Cheap insurance.

[cyclonebfx]

Originally Posted by Rod Greene

And I know for a fact that a properly set up Dana is worth some ET over an 8 3/4. For you slush o matic guys rear end failure usually takes out the trans too. Cheap insurance.

I still like the 8 3/4 units in general but last year we broke a rear end in my dads car (first one in 20 plus years) and the result was not just the rear end but the sprag and the tranny case. Two weeks later my sister broke her rearend and the sprag as well. Very expensive lesson.