The 360 HBX I have is leaking oil from the vari drive both top and bottom, which makes it tempting to just chuck the whole drive and replace with a larger motor and VFD. As I recall, even if one could fit an appropriate HP motor in, it's not that simple due to the separate hydraulic pump that provides force for the drive disks, lubricates the drive arbors, headstock area and threading gears.
OTOH, I should think if one could conjure up a separate electric pump just for the headstock and gearing (utilizing existing oil reservoir, lines to headstock/gearing and existing drain back to reservoir , a VFD driven spindle would be possible. FWIW, that is how a Schaublin 135 lathe operates...when you turn the main "on" switch a small electric oil pump begins to recirculate oil thru the headstock and gearing, regardless of whether the spindle is turning or not. Anyone see any kinks in that idea for the Cazeneuve ?
OTOH, I should think if one could conjure up a separate electric pump just for the headstock and gearing (utilizing existing oil reservoir, lines to headstock/gearing and existing drain back to reservoir , a VFD driven spindle would be possible. FWIW, that is how a Schaublin 135 lathe operates...when you turn the main "on" switch a small electric oil pump begins to recirculate oil thru the headstock and gearing, regardless of whether the spindle is turning or not. Anyone see any kinks in that idea for the Cazeneuve ?