[Spridgets] wire wheel rear end conversion

[Frank]

Leo S wrote:
>
> Starting off, how often, if the rear end is properly serviced, and the seals
> maintained, do rear axel bearings fail?  
>   
Out of sixty some odd Spridgets I have owned, only one had a bad bearing 
and not so bad that it could not be driven, just a bit noisy.
Mainly the hubs wear out to the point of the bearing slipping out of the 
hub.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
> Next, the rear drums on the wire wheel rear end were like new BUT on one of
> them the lug hole bolts are slotted around 1/2 inch where as the other one
> isnt.  Has anyone seen brake hubs lotted before?  It was obviosly machined
> slotted and not elomgated from being loose.
>   

Never saw that.
> Next, are the drums for a wire wheel the same as the ones off a non wire wheel
>
>   
All the brake drums for all Spridgets are all the same.
> Last, with a 1275 and datsun five speed would the 3.9 pumpkin be a better
> combination than the stock 4.2 pumpkin from a bugeye?  Looking for good
> highway performnce along with performance in the twisty's.
>   
3.90 is OK for highway driving but the 4.22 & a 5 speed will cruise all 
day at 80 mph, gets 42 mpg (on the way to Lake of the Ozarks)
And kicks butt with the rice boys around town ;)
> Now for a motor question.  I was told that a cam for a 1275 and the oil pump
> for a 1275 will also work in a 948 and is a more roust setup versus the stock
> 948 pump and cam.  Any truth to it?  
>   
Can't help with this question. I am strictly a 1275 guy.


-- 
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
My own Fleet of Sprites