Junkyard 14bolt finds

[K85 Octane]

I have one question and a couple of lowend junkyard finds.

1) question: is the later model suburban 14bolts any stronger than the standard 14bolt? Meaning, I've seen some suburban 14bolts with extra ribbing on the housing. Same interior set up I believe, but maybe stronger cases? Normally seen on 1tons, or 454 burbs, around late 80's early 90's.

2) I dunno how hard they are to find, but I've come across a lot a 14bolt FF axles here in southern CA, and know of 3 14bolt burb axles as well. Sun Valley pick-your-part and Peck Road Monrovia pick-a-part.

 

[rdn2blazer]

I personally would find an earlier model just due to the fact the later model 14FF's are Gray cast iron. Earlier axles are Ductile cast iron and are a stronger centersection. The reason for the extra ribbing is to add strength to make up for the strength lost in the material itself. Just like old Craftsman sockets, compared to newer sockets. Old one are a thinner wall, where the newer ones are thicker due to cheaper material being used. Also, stay away from 84'/85' year 14FF. They have the small pinion bearing GM tried using and found out they were crap. Since their smaller they spin faster and hence get hotter and can wear faster, and break down the gear lube faster too. I believe the 86'/87' model years were still Ductile iron and they went back to the larger pinion bearing, but positive on thet though. If it has ribs it's Gray iron.You can't weld Gray cast iron, Ductile is weldable.

 

[K85 Octane]

very interesting, it sure has a lot of ribbing, I guess to make up for the iron

I personally have '79 3/4 D44/14bff. But was always very curious about the others.

 

[rdn2blazer]

very interesting, it sure has a lot of ribbing, I guess to make up for the iron

I personally have '79 3/4 D44/14bff. But was always very curious about the others.

You have a good 14FF. Gray cass is pretty soft. Drills easy as could be. Will crack easier then ductile iron will.

 

[manchildau65]

The ribs also help to dissipate the heat away (they act like fins) from the pumpkin. I'm not sure about the strength differences, but you don't hear of 14 bolt FF's breaking (old or new).

 

[cuervo]

I have a ribbed version that I welded both spring pad and shock mounts to. Am I missiong something about you can't weld them?

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

im not expert but i would imagine a 14 bolt is beef across the board. is there really an advantage to one over the other....i doubt it. find one and run it. if it breaks(hah) get another for cheap

 

[manchildau65]

You definitely can weld to the iron, but I wouldn't weld to the ribs... these are cast so welding in the relatively thin ribbed section compared to the rest will cause week points

 

[rdn2blazer]

I have a ribbed version that I welded both spring pad and shock mounts to. Am I missiong something about you can't weld them?

You welded the spring perches to the TUBE I assume correct? Ofcourse you can weld to the tube, it's steel.The center section is Cast iron silly .

 

[rdn2blazer]

You definitely can weld to the iron, but I wouldn't weld to the ribs... these are cast so welding in the relatively thin ribbed section compared to the rest will cause week points

If you have ever welded to Gray cast iron and put much load on it at all it will fracture right out of the cast material. Anything welded to Gray cast will not hold up at all. Gray cast can be welded to but what ever is welded to it will fracture right off at the weld, it will pull the weld right out of the cast. THATS what makes it a non-weldable material. Welding does not meld the two materials together like welding to ductile iron or steel. Those essentially become one piece.

 

[cuervo]

You welded the spring perches to the TUBE I assume correct? Ofcourse you can weld to the tube, it's steel.The center section is Cast iron silly .

Makes complete sense, now, Doh!

 

[rdn2blazer]

Makes complete sense, now, Doh!

DOH!