2 Ltr Escort Gearbox

[dougo]

Hi all, quick question regarding the gearboxes that fit up behind the 2 ltr engines in mark 2 Escort.

Some types have an integral bell housing, others (like the one we have) have a seperate bell housing. Anyone have any experience as to whether one is stronger than the other or if they are both about the same. I am mainly talking about the bell housing but also the gearboxes in general.

Cheers All

[whooligan]

If its got a intergral bellhousing then its the wrong box for your car. This is out of a Mk 1 1300 escort or a very,very early Mk 2 Escort (also 1300). The only reason I can think that this particular box is in your car is that the person who fitted it prefered the ratios to the standard box.
From my experience the later Mk 2 box with the separate bellhousing is way stronger than these early ones. When worn they start falling out of top and reverse under load. Whereas the Mk 2 box is pretty much unbrakeable if looked after. ie. keep the oil up to them (they do leak).
Ford kept the bolt pattern on their bellhousings the same throughout the late 60's upto the 80's in some cases, so most RWD gearboxes from this period will bolt upto any of the 4 banger motors in this time. Pinto, crossflow, even the newer Zetec engines.
My belief on gearboxes is, if it ain't broken, don't fix it.

[dougo]

Hey thanks for the tip, I stuffed up in the initial question, our gearbox actually has the seperate bellhousing but we also scored a spare box and it has the integral bellhousing....anyon eknwo how much horsepower the stock box can handle ?

[whooligan]

My RS2000 put out 130 at the fly and the standard box handles it fine....Can't say the same for the diff. Gone thru 3 centres in 2 years.