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1st Gear Ratio on a Healey Hundred

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Webb Sledge

Webb Sledge

Jedi Warrior
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Ya know how on the 100s the first gear was blocked out cause it was to low? Well, what was the gear ratio of it? It's hard for me to imagine they'd put a gear on that was so low it was un-usable. Also, is the physical gear there on the transmission, so it could be used if you removed the stop?
 
It really is of no use. I had a chance to drive one with the plate removed when I worked for Austin-Healey West (San Francisco, late 70s) and first gear was only good for about 10 or 12 feet before you hit the redline.

The gear is in place and a plate is under the side cover that prevents the shift lever from engaging it.

Take joy in owning the only Austin-Healey with a syncronized first gear and leave the plate in place (funny how many people have ignored that sage advice over the years only to agree with it after the fact /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ya know how on the 100s the first gear was blocked out cause it was to low? Well, what was the gear ratio of it? It's hard for me to imagine they'd put a gear on that was so low it was un-usable. Also, is the physical gear there on the transmission, so it could be used if you removed the stop?

[/ QUOTE ]

The original engine, transmission, & axle came from a much heavier sedan, the Austin A90, I believe. With the 4.1 axle ratio, in first gear the engine simply peaked out too quickly to be much use. The original overall ratios, as near as I can find, were 14.8/1, 9.3/1, 5.85/1, 4.1/1, & OD 3.19/1. The light 100 could easily spin the rear tires in second gear so they blocked off first gear. It is still there & could be brought into use by eliminating a shifter stop. Not much reason to do it though, kind of like a granny gear in a truck. A few who have done this apparantly have found that the first gear is rather weak also.

The BN2 used a new design transmission & OD with another different 4.1/1 axle. overall ratios are, 12.6/1, 7.84/1, 5.45/1, 4.1/1, & OD 3.21/1.

Some have changed to a 3.5 axle which gives overall ratios of 10.9/1, 6.8/1, 4.7/1, 3.5/1, & OD 2.76/1. With a good engine it will still spin the tires in first & cruise at 3000 rpm = 80 mph.
D
 
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