Change final drive ratio...

Sure you aren't in 3rd instead of 5th (sloppy gearchange)

or perhaps its the rev counter thats at fault - happened to me on an Orion a few years back

I'd expect the diff from a diesel to have a higher ratio but no data to back this up- but you would possibly find it on the Ford website.

Bob

If he's cruising at 90mph, then it could well be 4500rpm. Gearing in some modern cars are disappointingly low to get better 0-60 figures.

I never said that ;-)

The 0-60 is plenty good enough, I want low revs at high speeds :-(

Didn't you notice these things before you paid for it then?

True, but if they design a gearbox with close ratios 2,3,4, then 5th must also follow suit or there would be a large gap in the ratio.

Also, it doesn't help when mad motoring journalists often complains that high gearing is hurting acceleration.

Not too fussed about close 2,3,4 either - I just want a relaxed car. If I want 'sporty', I won't get a Ford ;-)

I was spoiled by my Carlton GSi - nice torquey engine for a relaxed cruise

Well yes, but I paid £300 for an N reg car in good nick with 50K on the clock so I didn't complain too much ;-)

Are you sure a 2.0 Mondeo can actually manage enough power to maintain motorway cruising speed at 2500RPM?

Cheers,

Colin.

Sorry but to get that by changing the final drive ratio, you'll lose 0-

It'll slow down to a crawl at the slightest hill.

I do understand gear ratios, but thanks anyway ;-)

I meant the 0-60 can afford to lose some, in exchange for better cruising...

Then I'll change down...

It would have more torque at 2/3 revs than many smaller engines would have at 4500. They manage...

Very roughly 15mph per 1000 rpm? That's '50s cars. You've got something wrong.

Do you know what a powerband is? Do you know where the average one is on a petrol car engine?

I used to have a Mk1 2.0 Mondeo and it was geared perfectly normally for a 2 litre car. About 22 or 23 mph per 1000rpm from memory. Either your speedo or revcounter are faulty or someone has fitted the wrong gearbox. The early gearboxes did have a common synchromesh problem on third gear so it isn't unusual for them to have been changed or rebuilt. Maybe someone got a cheap second hand one from a breakers and it wasn't the right box.

-- Dave Baker

Err.. no.

I said 'motorway cruising speed', not '70mph'....

Yes thanks. Can't be arsed to find the graphs now but I might later if I'm bored...

I'd agree.

On my old 2.0 Mondeo, cruising (80) in 5th would be about 3200 rpm.

To be doing 4500 in 5th, you've got to be doing an enormous speed.

ISTR that red-line was 80 in 3rd and 100 in 4th.

There's definitely something wrong with the gearbox.

Looking at the MTX75 gearbox ratios (if I've found the right one - I gave away my old Haynes manual), the ratio of 3rd to 5th is 1.45, giving a cruising RPM of 3100 if you've incorrectly selected 3rd gear.

I'd check that you've got the right gearbox, and that all the links are in good condition. 4500 at cruise in 5th in the UK is wrong. I assume it does have 5 gears? If it's only labelled at 4, try putting it in 5th.

If it doesn't have 5th, you may have an old Escort 1.3 gearbox or something!

Pete.