Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: David Schwarze <(email redacted)>

Hi,
My 2800cc Capri gets horrible mileage (around 20) on the highway
and I blame the gearing. It is turning about 3500 rpm @70mph. Could
Dave or one of the other Capri guys suggest an appropriate 5-speed that
I could install with not too much effort? Maybe something from a later
model Mustang or Pinto? Thanks...

-David

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David Schwarze '73 VW Safare Custom Camper (Da Boat)
SAIC Comsystems, San Diego '73 Capri GT 2800 (Da Beast)
(email redacted) '87 Mustang Lx 5.0 (Da Bruiser? Soon...)
=============================================================================

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Dave Williams)


-> My 2800cc Capri gets horrible mileage (around 20) on the highway and
-> I blame the gearing. It is turning about 3500 rpm @70mph.

I tried going from the 3.22 to a Capri II 3.08 rear once, and *lost*
4mpg. You couldn't keep the car on the torque curve at highway speed
with the taller axle.


-> Dave or one of the other Capri guys suggest an appropriate 5-speed
-> that I could install with not too much effort? Maybe something from
-> a later model Mustang or Pinto? Thanks...

You might *possibly* swap a complete 2.9 Ranger flywheel, clutch,
starter, bellhousing, transmission, shifter, and front yoke. I don't
know that it'll work, but it's quite likely.

The Brits had a 5 speed in the Mark III, but as far as I know it was a
weirdball we never got.


I used to get 22-24 with my '73. When was the last time you tuned it
up and set the valves? Are the front calipers dragging? I had to
rebuild mine every couple of years. Also, the brake hoses tend to swell
up inside and will pinch pressure off in the calipers and wheel
cylinders. Finally, a malfunctioning power brake booster can also cause
brake drag.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (0000-Admin(0000))

> I tried going from the 3.22 to a Capri II 3.08 rear once, and *lost*
> 4mpg. You couldn't keep the car on the torque curve at highway speed
> with the taller axle.

I've heard guys say they got better mileage in their Mondo motor
Ch*velle when they went from a 3.50 rear end to a 4.10, too. But
I've got my doubts. If they didn't change the speedo gear to compensate
for the new rear, it would tell the odometer the car went further,
thus, (lo and behold!) greater *indicated* MPG. But, I guess that's
what they mean when they say Y.M.M.V.

My '77 Capri II V-6 (3.08) used to easily get 25 MPG on the road
with a load of people and luggage with the A/C on and running at
70-75 MPH. Once I really babied it and kept it between 50-55 and
went 72 miles on two gallons of gas..! (72 divided by 2 =36 MPG!)
Must have had a tail wind, I guess.... <grin>

> You might *possibly* swap a complete 2.9 Ranger flywheel, clutch,
> starter, bellhousing, transmission, shifter, and front yoke. I don't
> know that it'll work, but it's quite likely.

At one time the California Capri Club was taking names of those
who would be interested in a 5-speed conversion kit for the Capri.
I added my name to the pot, but never heard back from them. Guess they
didn't get enough takers to make it profitable. That was 5+ years
ago. The club may even be defunct by now. Too bad. This puppy
really needs a 5 speed OD tranny, IMHO....

> The Brits had a 5 speed in the Mark III, but as far as I know it was a
> weirdball we never got.

Yeah, even if you could find a source for the German 5-speed the
price would probably equal its weight in gold by the time it arrived
on one's doorstep <sniff, sniff>.

> rebuild mine every couple of years. Also, the brake hoses tend to swell
> up inside and will pinch pressure off in the calipers and wheel
> cylinders. Finally, a malfunctioning power brake booster can also cause
> brake drag.

I just think my Mustang GT brakes are bad until I get back in my
Capri and go for a drive....


Tommy
- --

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Dave Williams)


-> I've got my doubts. If they didn't change the speedo gear to
-> compensate for the new rear, it would tell the odometer the car went
-> further, thus, (lo and behold!) greater *indicated* MPG. But, I guess
-> that's what they mean when they say Y.M.M.V.

I've also seen people try to check their mileage by running the car as
close to empty as they dare, putting a gallon in, and trying to run it
back close to empty. Some people, I dunno...

The 3.22 and 3.08 driven gears can be interchanged without redoing the
driving gear, fortunately.


-> I just think my Mustang GT brakes are bad until I get back in my
-> Capri and go for a drive....

The Capri's brakes are just plain f'ing LOUSY. Part of the problem is
the metal lines on the struts, which run up, then down, making a nice
unbleedable air pocket. The only way I found to get around that was to
pressure bleed (special cap for the Teves master cylinder) and blast
enough fluid through there to flush the bubble.

The calipers also have plenty of room for bubbles, and only one bleeder
port. A 'proper' solution would be to replace the original flex hose
and metal line with a single AN line from the fenderwell to the caliper,
so you wouldn't have the air bubble, and you could remove the caliper
and 'burp' it when bleeding.

As for the *)%(# rear wheel cylinders...