Lincoln Zephyr Gears ?

B

BanjoBoy

Member
Hello Hambers

Searched on archives but still need clarification

I have read that LZ gears provide a benefit in 1st and 2nd and 3 is 1 to 1

So my question is

Which Zephyr gears would work best for my build?

Running a 276 Flathead
7.50 rear tires
3.78 rear gears

1930 Model A roadster

I know that 25 and 26 tooth are available

Does any one have any input

Thank you and I hope we can stay on topic
Bboy
 
Banjo,
I'd put my $$$$$ else where and use the FORD 16/28 tooth gearset, unless
LZ gear set bragging rights are an issue. With the 26 tooth set you can almost
skip 2nd gear.
Charlie ny
 
BanjoBoy said:
Hello Hambers

Searched on archives but still need clarification

I have read that LZ gears provide a benefit in 1st and 2nd and 3 is 1 to 1

So my question is

Which Zephyr gears would work best for my build?

Running a 276 Flathead
7.50 rear tires
3.78 rear gears

1930 Model A roadster

I know that 25 and 26 tooth are available

Does any one have any input

Thank you and I hope we can stay on topic
Bboy
Click to expand...
If you must have Zepha gears, I would say, with a 276 and a light Model A roadster I'd like to try the 25 tooth, that would let you wind it out more in 1st and 2nd. By the time it was wound out in 2nd. the cops would be after you anyway. Walt
 
I'm running a 1930 Roadster, 265 c.i., 2gc carb on a Merc intake, 3.54 rear, 26 tooth LZ gears, and love it...

And yes, I ran a 28 tooth set... Thought that 1st was too low, shifts were too wide...
Karl
 
The lincoln gears were for cars with a 4.44 rear end and overdrive, thats why the taller ratios. so with the 3.78 I would stay with the stock ratios
 
I'll drop by here again....LZ gears were used for racing primarily back in the day with
street driving a distant concern. With Banjos 7:50's and 3:78's the 16/28 gears will
fit like a glove.
Not long ago I built a "39" trans with 26 tooth gears for a customer. It was a fairly
light car with big and littles and 3:78's, long story short he never used 2nd gear
and unless he spun the tires to launch...acceleration on the street was compromised,
until his RPM's got up there.
Charlie ny
 
BanjoBoy said:
So nothing good but just bragging rights huh?
Click to expand...

'bragging rights'? Well, I do not brag (unless you consider answering this mans question bragging) about the 26 tooth lz set in my '30 roadster..bragging about what...the fact that two old timers used my trans to drag race flatheads at Bakersfield..for years back when; or the fact that despite their long time efforts to break flathead records..that this trans and its set of lz gears are still running strong and living the 'easy' life in my putter? Or the fact that I can run between city lights in two gears without straining a warmed four banger? Or that I can go from 1st to third without any concern for rpm. What's this 'high rpm' concern anyway..when starting out? Haven't had a concern about that 'concern'...even with lz/3:54/6:00-16 and quickchange with high gearing?
BanjoBoy..if a guy doesn't have lz gears...he cannot 'brag',eh ! How many disparage something...without ever having owned and/or tried it? If you live in lalaland area and want to get some practical seat of the pants knowledge/experience/hands on...pm me and you can pilot the ugly duck and see for yourself:) As for bragging...that's your call,eh.

BTW- not HAMBERS here.
 
Last edited:
HT,
I've owned 'em and built 'em and run 'em. Bragging rights is a term nothing
more...did not mean to verklempt you....JMHO, I thought Banjo wanted feed back.
FYI I built the trans for Jim Bobowski, he owns the PIERSON brothers '36....'40 case
with genuine 26 tooth gears, plus many more.
I'm happy you're happy with your setup....it looks like a great ride !!!
Charlie ny
 
Like most everything , it comes down to opinion . I had LZ 25 tooth gears in my 32 Roadster . 3.25 rear gear and 7.50 rear tire .I had a brand X (orange) engine in it. Horrible combo . I hated it . I think with a 3.54 gear I would also hate it since we are talking less than 200 rpm difference between the two. The engine was warmed over and had no problem with power in the light car . Again , I did NOT like the combo . I had a few friends drive it and they did NOT like it either . I have a 255" Flathead going in it now with some speed equipment and a good size cam for the fun of it .I will keep everything the same except I am getting rid of the 25 LZ gears and going to try a 29/15 combo since I will be loosing some bottom end with the cam choice and I have a 3.25 gear and a tall tire . Hopefully 1st and second will be a fun combo and 3rd will be a great highway gear . We will see soon I hope.
This is my opinion
 
I just went through several combinations with my AV8. I had a 25T set in a 39 box with a QC rear end. A 1:1 spur gear ratio with a 4:11 final with 7.00-16's is what worked best for intown driving. I tried higher and lower. Any gearing around 3.78 or higher (under 3.78) made first gear feel too "soft" in the clutch meaning I had to feather the clutch too much from a dead stop. Yes, it would have been nice to have a little more leg on the highway but I enjoy the feeling of "available torque."
I now have a stock set of 28T gears in a '39 box on my 32 roadster with 700-16's and a 4:11 rear. I don't hate it other than I'm out of first gear in a hurry. That get's a little old in town. 2nd is pretty long but that helps in going around corners when you can't drop into 1st. I have a 26T set of gears I will be putting in it next year.

Sometimes there is a reason that hot rodders have been doing something for such a long time. I doubt they were doing it for "bragging rights" back in the 40's. They did it because it worked better for them and their lightweight roadsters.

Z
 
After using a set of LZ gears in a 40 coupr back in the late fifties, I often wondered why they were so desirable. considering the cost today of rodding I think the T-5 is the best bet for all around street rods
 
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