Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Drivetrain articles (gearbox, torque tube, diff)
Post Reply
User avatar
gemsince88
Regular
Posts: 592
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:52 pm
Location: Nudecastle

Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by gemsince88 »

Owning a Gemini usually means you are stuck with a big choice of 2 ratios for your diff in a standard rear axle housing being 3.9/3.89 for petrol or 3.58 for diesel. Even though the diff in TD onwards is a GMH small salisbury the pinion is unique to a Gemini. The crown gear, pinion gear and bearings are all shared with the Holden banjo and small salisbury diff but forward of the bearing on the pinion is different.

It seams that all “torque tube” style rear axles share the same dimensions ie “spline count, length, diameter and thread” forward of the bearing.

So in order to fit different ratios from a small salisbury or banjo diff of 2.78, 3.08, 3.36 or 3.55 to a Gemini small salisbury diff a custom pinion coupling is required. This is how I made one.

I aquired a dead banjo diff with a 3.55:1 ratio and pulled it apart. I pulled a Gemini small salisbury apart to measure against. I also had a dismantled diesel diff to hand. I found that the pinion coupling is identical between Gemini small salisbury and diesel. The spline on the banjo pinion is 23 and very close to the axle splines. The thread on the banjo pinion turned out to be ¾ UNF. The Gemini pinion spline is 22 and the thread is smaller and probably some metric thread. It's the same thread at the end of the extension shaft.

Left to right 3.55 Banjo pinion, 3.9 Gemini small salisbury, diesel pinion.

Image
Petrol and diesel pinion coupling.
Image
Image

I cut the splined section off the banjo yoke and machined it down to 24mm in length then machined a 45 degree chamfer then probably a 10 degree chamfer close to the centre but not all the way leaving about a 1mm flat before the spline. This was to get weld as far in as possible.

ImageImage

Bored the internal spline out of the Gemini coupling out to the same size of the unsplined section of the coupling. Cut the unsplined section off the coupling and machined it back to the start of the external spline.

ImageImageImage

I assembled the whole lot on to the pinion and screwed the original pinion nut on top. It was then professionally tig welded with stainless weld and heat treated. The pinion coupling was welded together and the nut was welded to the recessed fitting.

Image

When it all came back from the welder I machined the excess off the banjo part starting at the bottom of the grooves of the outside spline following the slight angle of the splines down to 36mm then out square to the edge. I also machined off the locking part of the pinion nut so it was flat.

ImageImage

Next was to make an extension for the buffer cap to sit on. I bought a ¾ UNF bolt and machined one end down to 13mm diameter and 5mm deep. Cut the excess thread off and machined it down to 18mm in length in total. I then ground 2 flats on either side of the buffer cap end at 13mm apart. This piece serves 2 purposes, 1 is to have the buffer cap installed so the extension shaft is in the correct position and 2 it acts as a locking device for the pinion nut.

So the idea is now that you install a banjo/small salisbury gear set as you would normally using the custom coupling and recessed pinion nut then when the pinion nut is finally done to the right torque you install the threaded extension tightening it with a 13mm spanner to lock the pinion nut. Finally pop the buffer cap on and it's ready to reinstall the extension shaft and tube.

ImageImage

Now all it needs is to be tested.
Last edited by gemsince88 on Sun Jul 16, 2017 12:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
Turbocoupe75
Long Term Member
Posts: 1238
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 9:34 pm
Location: Adelaide

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by Turbocoupe75 »

That's awesome impressive work well done!!! You also a nut With tooooo much time!!!

Please let us know how it turns out !!!
#Turbocoupe75
Turbocoupe75
Long Term Member
Posts: 1238
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 9:34 pm
Location: Adelaide

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by Turbocoupe75 »

That's awesome impressive work well done!!! You also a nut With tooooo much time!!!

Please let us know how it turns out !!!
#Turbocoupe75
User avatar
gemsince88
Regular
Posts: 592
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:52 pm
Location: Nudecastle

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by gemsince88 »

Thanks. This is true! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am going to be sending it up to Coxy as he is going to see if Altra9 will remake it.
F3ARED
Moderator
Posts: 2705
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by F3ARED »

Hey mate, do you want me to leave this in here or do you want me to move it into the driveline section?
Previously GeminiCoupe/GeminiRollingShell/SCAR3D/Jonnoisac#nt

78 TD Gemini Sedan - R.I.P
81 TE Gemini Sedan
User avatar
gemsince88
Regular
Posts: 592
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:52 pm
Location: Nudecastle

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by gemsince88 »

Probably better in the driveline section. Thanks.
Lil Willsy
A Nice Guy
Posts: 109
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:39 pm
Location: Lismore

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by Lil Willsy »

gemsince88 wrote:Thanks. This is true! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am going to be sending it up to Coxy as he is going to see if Altra9 will remake it.
Soo keen for this!!!
TD. daily.
TE 2dr
Kevin wills 6/7/08

I Don't Like Hills...
User avatar
redzone (coxy)
Long Term Member
Posts: 1659
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:22 am
Location: sunshine coast

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by redzone (coxy) »

This should be a goer IMHO so we'll see what Darren says!

Another option for the burnout bogans.
GARAGE REDZONE sunshine coast ph 07 54433507

1975 TX coupe 4ZD1 efi turbo 10.787 @ 123/128
1977 TC Fashion Pack sedan draw through turbo
1984 TG PF60E dohc Group A racecar
1984 TG Panelvan
2006 Crewman SS 6.0
archangel62
Long Term Member
Posts: 3667
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 3:41 am
Location: Adelaide, SA. Cars: 5 Geminis and a Piazza
Contact:

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by archangel62 »

Incredible stuff! I'm interested, if they go well in testing and become available!
Have you had the chance to check clearance for the pinion gear in the Gemini housing? I mean it should be fine but I made that assumption with Hilux housings and got burned!
My Gemini drift videos: http://www.youtube.com/PandamoniumDrift
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PandamoniumDrift
Current tally: 5 Geminis and a Piazza
User avatar
snoz
New Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:07 pm
Location: Sydney

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by snoz »

Is there any lower ratios available?
User avatar
gemsince88
Regular
Posts: 592
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:52 pm
Location: Nudecastle

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by gemsince88 »

[quote="archangel62"Have you had the chance to check clearance for the pinion gear in the Gemini housing? I mean it should be fine but I made that assumption with Hilux housings and got burned![/quote]

No I haven't sorry. Only had access to the 3.55 pinion and there is bugger all difference. Something in the back of my brain says that the 2.78 will have issues but 3.08 will fit.
User avatar
gemsince88
Regular
Posts: 592
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:52 pm
Location: Nudecastle

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by gemsince88 »

snoz wrote:Is there any lower ratios available?
2.78, 3.08, 3.36, 3.55 and 3.9 only
DR_GEM
Long Term Member
Posts: 890
Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 7:47 pm
Location: 2196

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by DR_GEM »

Great work!

Very promising and waiting with bated breath for Darren from Altra 9 to confirm they can make it

Mick
I wish i had something cool and witty in my signature
Lil Willsy
A Nice Guy
Posts: 109
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:39 pm
Location: Lismore

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by Lil Willsy »

Bump, what became of this?
TD. daily.
TE 2dr
Kevin wills 6/7/08

I Don't Like Hills...
User avatar
gemsince88
Regular
Posts: 592
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:52 pm
Location: Nudecastle

Re: Gemini small salisbury conversion for different ratios

Post by gemsince88 »

Ask Coxy. He has the prototype I made.
Post Reply