Has any1 managed to change there 4th gear for something a bit taller or maybe there final drive? Are parts available? Cheers David
If you've got a 1600, it hasn't got the puff for higher gearing. You'd have to keep changing down. Cruising, you're only doing 3500-3750rpm, although it sounds more.
Ive got a good strong motor which has had a bit of work done and well ran in and looked after and I've got plenty of power, she'd sit at 80 all day long if i could afford to put fuel in and the oil would keep a bit cooler :- Just would like slightly taller gearing so 60-65 on the motorway is that bit easyer.
its the original motor, rebuilt to 1641 with ported heads, twin webbers and ratio rockers. Thing is its been setup and ran in perfectly and pulls beautifully. problem is trying to get hold of a decent 6 rib at a reasonable price and I'm quite happy rebuilding mine if the parts are available.
simplest way is to fit larger wheels and tyres stock wheel and tyre on the left and a 15 inch rim with 225/70/15 tyre on the right cruses nicely on the motorway and returns good MPG on a run (30-35 MPG) i have lost a bit of my power for hills but 3rd gear is enough for all but the biggest hills
It's the final drive that makes the big difference on the 2l box... 1600 box final drive 8.43:1 2l final drive 7.34:1 There's some differences in the gears too, but the FD, that's where it matters
just to chip in,a point raised when I have looked in to this myself.The taller gear will make the engine rev lower and the cooling fan to turn slower while the engine is still having to do the same amount of work it may cause overheating problems,I may stand to be corrected.
If anything mine runs hot at speed and the lower the rpm the better, I've seen those freeway flyer boxes with a tall 4 but would think the final drive is the way to go if poss.
I'm impressed! back to the revs issue - lower revs means less heat yer engines sposed to get hot btw thats how it works. just not too hot!
