Technical Which transmission for an AV8?

Better gear ratios. Rodders have been doing that since the day after dirt.

 

What is a better gear ratio? A closer difference between gears is important for racing (which is what the Lincoln gears have in addition to a higher first gear) but if the person wants to run a high rear end for freeway driving wouldn't the lower first gear of the standard car be better? I must admit I don't know the answer. I do agree that rodders have been using the Lincoln gears since the day after dirt and that has driven the price up. For a street car with a high rear end, are they worth the premium?

Charlie Stephens

 

I found an article that better explains it then I would. Here is an excerpt to save you from scouring the entire article:

The standard Ford-Mercury boxes have a 28- or 28- tooth main driving gear. The Lincoln Zephyr box carried a 25- or 26-tooth main gear. The lower ratios available in the Zephyr first and second, produce a higher gearing and permit a higher maximum speed in first and second, without changing the speed possible in high (or direct). In addition, Zephyr ratios are closer than in Ford-Merc boxes. As a result of Henry Ford's feeling for standardization, Z gears are interchangeable in most Ford and Merc boxes.

You can draw your own conclusions, but I wouldn't let the energy crisis of the '70s sway you too much this is hot rodding 101 which has little or nothing to do with economy.

Here is a link to the entire article which is pulled from Speed mechanics circa 1955:

http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/lincoln.htm