Zephyr gears

Folks that like off the line short distance racing really should look to get a decent close ratio gear set for the rear axle that will get them to around 90 mph or there abouts at wind out. This is a street racing set up. A person may not get up to high speed on a lower rpm engine but they will get to the speed they need real quick.

I like cruiser gears for a light body car with no overdrive so I use 15/29 gears with a 3.54:1 rear axle R&P set up. It has good ratios in all three gears and will take a car up to a high speed in good order. It's just my choice for a good smooth ratio set. Others can choose there favorite set as they see fit.

The Lincoln cars were heavy with the big V12 engines so they chose the Borg Warner electric overdrive and developed it for closed drive so they were real smooth driving cars. It was Ford's top of the line marque so they always went all out on them.
 
Well I'm in the camp that loves the LZs!
I have them in my original '32 roadster with 3.78 rear and a Columbia :-)


I find no downside and especially like the ability to stay in 1st for a bit instead of just getting it rolling and then shift to 2nd ;)


These tables at 2,000 and 4,500 RPM compare two of Ford's gearing compared to the Lincoln Zephyr gears.


558072



558073



For those of you that discount LZs, you don't know what you are missing :D


Glenn
 

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Looks like another satisfied customer! With a light car, low rear end gears, a modified engine, and an overdrive. That's great and I'm sure everything you say is true.:)

However, I think we should all go back to the O/P's original question. And my answer is still "NO' in a relatively stock '39 coupe.
 
tubman said:
However, I think we should all go back to the O/P's original question. And my answer is still "NO' in a relatively stock '39 coupe.
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Hi, completely understand but .... :), this is what I just posted on HAMB.


"Yes the 1936-1942 Lincoln Zephyr weighed about 3,350 lb with either 4.11 or 4:44 and an overdrive. It had a 292CI V12 with 110HP.
I think a a '39 or '40 coupe with 4:11 rearend would be a good match"


I'm posting this as a matter of curiosity only.
 
From the HAMB from "62pan"

"I run a 25 tooth set in my 39 pickup with a 324 olds and 4.11 rear. Best thing I ever done. Dry weight on the truck is 2750 lbs add a little more for the olds and I'd say we are over 2800. It made driving around town much easier with less shifting and I still do 65 on the highway with no issues."

62pan, Jan 1, 2025
 
Thanks for the replies just putting this car together have two sets of gears and was wondering. I wanted to go with a 354 gear. 8 ba . My 1936 has 354 s 59 ab. Just running things through my head. Thanks for the opinions.
 
Mike kitto said:
Thanks for the replies just putting this car together have two sets of gears and was wondering. I wanted to go with a 354 gear. 8 ba . My 1936 has 354 s 59 ab. Just running things through my head. Thanks for the opinions.
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Hi Mike,

You'd be best with 4:11 rear and a overdrive. A lot of changes ...

Glenn
 
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