Zephyr Gears

[Fat Fender]

I've seen a number of references to guys who put Zephyr gears in their early V8's. My question is, what does this do for them?

Thanks

[uncle max]

60 mph in second gear comes to mind...

[Karl Wolf]

Much higher 1st gear, less rpm drop between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd...
So, less leverage (torque) on rear wheels in 1st gear, but you can stay in that gear a lot longer... There is less rpm drop going into 2nd, same to 3rd...

It's a tradeoff, i like the Z gears a lot, but they aren't good for parades or around town in a heavy car... And they don't make any difference on top speed, 3rd's staight thru...

I worked out all the gear ratio numbers- let me know if you want them...
Karl

[JM 35 Sedan]

Like Uncle Max said....allows you to wind out longer/higher speed in second gear. They are no stronger than standard Ford gears. Probably the biggest thing they give you is bragging rights. Every one will think you are super cool if you tell them you are running zephyr gears LOL but actually you would do better to spend your money on something better.

[Charlie Stephens]

The high first gear is not an asset if you have a high rear end (I recommned 3.54)

Charlie Stephens

[Bruce Lancaster]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Also not an asset in heavier cars...best kept in early roadsters and such.
Remember they were meant to be used with very low axle (4.44!) and overdrive of about .7 to allow speed.
If you want "Zephyr gears" without the mix of good/bad features...gettem out of a '38-9 Zephyr!

[Hoop]

Current Market Price (ask/today) Moultrie: $1,000 (25 tooth)

[Tim]

Zephyr gears are great for a second to third shift while keeping the power on because of the shorter distance. But if you have a car with 3:78 or 3:54 gears you are going to be really dissapointed in first. Like mentioned above the top end is all 1:1 and the rear ratio is what gets you out into traffic. If you have a flatmotor with alot of torque it'll be ok. But it's pretty hard to beat a 28 tooth Ford cluster with a 3:54 rear gear and 7:50 rear tires in 16's. Now if there's an overhead in front then all bets are off. Zephyr gears take alot of torque to give a good take off in first wether that's the engine or the rear ratio.


Good luck,

Tim

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

2nd. gear is the favorite, you can drive for weeks in 2nd. Walt

[Highboy34]

The best gearing I ever ran was in a 37 cabriolet: 26 tooth Zephyrs, 4:11 rear with a Columbia. With stock trans gears and a 4:11, the gearing would have been a bit short, expecially third. But add the zephyrs, first and second are taller. Shift into third, up to about 50 and shift the Columbia into overdrive. Engine/fan noise goes away, drive 65 all day. BTW, this with a stock 21 stud engine.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Fat Fender

I've seen a number of references to guys who put Zephyr gears in their early V8's. My question is, what does this do for them?

Thanks

I'm running 26 tooth zephyr gears in a '39 trans with 3:54 rear and 16" 6:00s in a '30 roadster! Never mind that I'm running such behind a warmed B four banger.
Some guy , after learning my intended combo, said...will never work out/be happy with that.
Well, it turned out better than expected and am very happy with it!

[Al K.]

OK, but what are the ratios? If I am reading this right, then it all comes down to what the overall ratios are. Tall first gear with a 4.11, short first with 3.54 etc. All of which we will consider with the same tire height. Now if you had a T-5 with 3.78 first ratio and a 3.25 rear then it should compare to a tranny with a 3.25 first gear and a 3.78 rear. In both cases the ratio in first gear from engine to rear wheels is 12.285. If this is some where near true, then what is the ratio of a Ford 3 speed trannys in first gear? We can then multiply out and see how different trannys and rears compare to the original, or to a "hot" set up.
And of course if I am all wet, please correct me. Thanks, Al K.

[Karl Wolf]

Ratios of Z gears: (26tooth) 1st: 2.31 (to 1) 2nd: 1.57
Ratio, Ford: (28 tooth) !st: 2.81, 2nd: 1.61
(Got gear ratios by counting teeth and multipying)

To get gear ratio from eng to one spin of rear wheel, multiply,
for instance 2.31 X 4.11= 9.4941 (revolution of engine to one spin of rear, Zephyr cluster in first to 4.11 rear end)
2.31X 3.54, =8.1774
Etc.
Karl

[Hotrodvideo]

I have them in my '32 roadster, I think it makes a difference keeping up with today's traffic, being able to get up to speed much faster than with Ford gears is nice. Nobody has cut around me because I was too slow yet!

[Ol' Ron]

Going back 50 years or so they were inexpensive and did offer some advantages when coupled to a 4.44 rear. We didn't have allot of interstate driving back then. Today there are better options: The cost of these gears can be offset by, oD transmissions, The T-5 and Michael style OD' One of the best early trans was the 4608 Lincoln trand wit OD. Unfortunately this required frame modification as well. I guess it's back to the application.

[Rocketsled]

More teeth in contact with helical gears than with spur gears, plus the teeth are longer for the same width since they are cut on an angle instead of straight across.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

I'm running 26 tooth zephyr gears in a '39 trans with 3:54 rear and 16" 6:00s in a '30 roadster! Never mind that I'm running such behind a warmed B four banger.
Some guy , after learning my intended combo, said...will never work out/be happy with that.
Well, it turned out better than expected and am very happy with it!

Thank you for bringing your real world, actual driving experience with LZ's.

Talk of LZ gears and cams seems to bring out the bench racers.

[Mart]

It's all right saying you have Zephyr gears, but if someone asks you why you have them, you had better have the right reasons or you will be branded a wannabee.

Wrong reason: because everyone had them back in the day.
Right reason: because when, having taken into account the weight of the car, the size of the engine and the rear axle ratio, the zephyrs give an advantage.

Right answer = hero
Wrong answer = schmuck.

Mart.

[jetmek]

my .02 worth ...had a set of 26 tooth lz gears in a model a roadster truck with a very stout flathead 378 rear. i hated them felt like starting out in 2nd went back with the ford car gear set and my truck went like a raped ape ...those gears are only good with real deep rear gears or ohv muscle up front...

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by jetmek

my .02 worth ...had a set of 26 tooth lz gears in a model a roadster truck with a very stout flathead 378 rear. i hated them felt like starting out in 2nd went back with the ford car gear set and my truck went like a raped ape ...those gears are only good with real deep rear gears or ohv muscle up front...

As I mentioned before, I thank you for posting your real world build-up & driving experience.

I have both sets; 26 LZ and a couple sets of 28's (one is a complete NOS set).

I go back and forth on whether I should sell the LZ's or not.