Alfetta Limited Slip Differential

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

In AD7- 1489 George Beston writes:
"My "Alfetta USA Version Short Spare Parts Catalog" which covers the Alfetta
Berlina, the Alfetta GTV and the Sports Sedan contains a parts diagram  and
lists all part numbers for a limited slip differential.

"Does anyone know if this differential ever showed up in any 116 series cars
imported to North America?

"Better yet, has anyone had any experience upgrading from the standard
differential by replacing it with the limited slip version?"

The "Short Spare Parts Catalog" (Catalogo Rapido, pub.2462) can be 
frustrating because it is entirely non-verbal. Plate D11 covers the clutch 
and gearbox casings; plate D12 covers the (manual) gearbox internals; plate 
D13 is split, the left half covering the standard differential and the right 
half covering the limited slip differential; and plate D14 covers the 
automatic transmission and its special differential case, which is quite 
different from that of the manual box. On plate D13 there are no common parts 
shared by both the conventional and limited slip didfferentials, and it is 
quite clear, from the length of the pinion shafts and from the fact that they 
turn in opposite directions, that neither could be used in an application 
designed for the other. Comparing them with the D11 and D12 plates on the 
manual box and plate D14 on the automatic box it seems quite clear that there 
is no way the Alfetta non-LSD could be used with the automatic, or the 
Alfetta LSD with the manual box.

In addition, the ad reprinted on page 45 describing the Alfamatic (yes, that 
was their word) mentions the self-leveling load-control suspension, ZF 
3-speed automatic transmission, and "muscular limited slip differential for 
improved traction".

So the answer to question #1, "Does anyone know if this differential ever 
showed up in any 116 series cars imported to North America?" would seem to be 
"Yes, on all Alfamatic Sport Sedans only" and the answer to question #2, 
"Better yet, has anyone had any experience upgrading from the standard 
differential by replacing it with the limited slip version?" is almost 
certainly no, or at least not without some tricks.

FWIW, several of the parts numbers of the Alfamatic limited slip have 10564 
prefixes, indicating first use on the Montreal, while none of the Alfetta 
standard differential parts have 105 parts numbers.

A few months ago there was a discussion whether limited slips were or were 
not used on automatic Milanos, and I thought not on the basis of some Milano 
sales literature which I have which listed them as "Not Available" on the 
automatic Milanos. I now suspect that Milano sales brochure was probably 
wrong. The question whether a Milano limited slip from a manual Platinum or a 
three liter will fit an Alfetta manual box is a whole 'nuther question. 
Anybody?

John H.
Raleigh, N.C.

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