5 speed Escort?

[V1nn1e72]

Hi everyone,
i have a 1976 MK2 Ghia and was wondering if i could put a five speed gearbox in it for better cruising revs. i was just wondering what gearbox would be best to put in it, i have been told 5 speed RS boxes and old Celica gearboxes. has anyone else done something similar and if so what gear box did you use

[rag top]

Mk 2 RS2000 gear boxes were 4speed.
Try for a "type 9" gearbox from a sierra (iirc).
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Type...item2a51830ce2

[allanv6gt]

Go Sierra type 9, bolts straight up (I'm told).
Celica box will require bell housing and possibly mount changes, i.e. more complex job.

[freeo75]

I've used type 9 Sierra as listed above with shortened tail shaft and altered gearbox mount (simple) - but they are getting pricey and hard to get. Do you really need 5 gears ......have you thought about changing diff ratio or even going to larger wheels on the back????? I've run full size 14's and 195/60/15's slower off the mark but cruises better.
G

[allanv6gt]

Originally Posted by freeo75

changing diff ratio or even going to larger wheels on the back G

will mess up your speedo readings. The number of rear tyre rotations to cover that world-standard 1 km distance will now not be correctly translated by your speedo drive gear.

[V1nn1e72]

Originally Posted by allanv6gt

will mess up your speedo readings. The number of rear tyre rotations to cover that world-standard 1 km distance will now not be correctly translated by your speedo drive gear.

My speedo is already out around town but the closer I get to 100Km/h the more accurate it gets. So I have a gps that tells me my speed for around town.

[freeo75]

Have you had an escort that was ever accurate anyway????

Also there's the two different speedo gauges - the one that reads up to 200km/hr and the ones for 220km/hr. The latter is for lower gearing in the 2L (i.e. the 3.54 ratio diff). Changing to the 220km/hr speedo gauge will be more accurate if you decide to run over profile.

Then there's always an aftermarket speedo or your phone, pretty simple and cheap conversions these days
Geoff

[freeo75]

You're also able to manipulate the needle on the speedo so it reads accurate for the main speed you travel at..............

[whooligan]

From all accounts the celica conversation is a better gearbox conversion but you need a sunroof to accommodate the gear stick....its about 1.0m long and hits the handbrake.
Ive had a few 5 spd Sierra gearboxes in Escorts and its pretty much an overdrive unit. Same again the gear stick is longer and is further back than standard.
Im putting a 5 spd in my Capri which doesnt require as much modification, but ill be undergoing an Escort conversion as well later in the year so will be interesting to compare having not driven one for many years.

[peterw]

Originally Posted by whooligan

From all accounts the celica conversation is a better gearbox conversion but you need a sunroof to accommodate the gear stick....its about 1.0m long and hits the handbrake.

I put a steel case Celica box in my Mk1 Escort 30 years ago, bellhousing made by Dellow in Sydney. Used a Toyota clutch plate and release bearing and had the prop shaft re welded with Toyota yoke at front and Ford at back. Pretty easy conversion and box is great to use. You can always cut the gearlever down if it is too long, I didn't find it that way.

[hfeld4]

I put the celica 5 speed in my 2lt mk2. was a relatively straight forward job. I used the dellow automotive kit. I reused the auto crossmember that was already in it and made spacers to bring it down from the floor. and the had to cut the gearstick hole that was already in the floor back another 25mm. and the had to lengthen the automatic tailshaft by 30mm. seemed to cruise alright and at 100kmh it sat at about 2500rpm

[jayg331]

I have a mk 1 and a mk2 both with 5 speed supra boxes. You order the box from dellow with the bell housing and specify the shifter at 19 inches. Stick comes out the original hole. It is an all alloy box so lighter than the original and the celica box. It fits best if you cut a square around the shifter hole and raise it up 25mm.Super strong I also have one behind a 400 hp dodge V8 and it's never given me a drama