Hey guys, can anyone help- I picked up an MT75 gearbox from Ebay- The add said it was out of a Turbo Diesel Escort. I'm assuming it's from a mk5/6/7 Escort as I don't recall the mk4 having turbo diesel engines, can anyone confirm which diesel Escorts had the MT75?

Secondly, does this Diesel Gearbox have exactly the same ratios as the mk3 Escort Diesel gearbox? Or is it different?

And lastly, can you use mk3 Escort XR3i driveshafts with the MT75 gearbox?

Thanks for your time

 

mt75- escort cosworth 4x4

 

Ahh, cheers for that, think i've got that wrong then! No wonder my googling was a bit fruitless
Mine is definately a diesel box, this isn't a pic of mine but it looks exactly like this one:





Does anyone know what ratios these boxes have? And weather the driveshafts from a BC gearbox will fit it?

Fankoo!

 

at i guess i'd assume they meant and mtx75

 

That is an MTX75 gearbox from a 1993 onwards Escort / Orion. The ratios are completely different to all others unfortunately, but would work well in something like a Zetec-Turbo conversion due to the longer ratios. Would need some modifications to fit into a MK4 though.

 

Ace, thanks very much
Might have to punt this one on then!

 

Just another gearbox question then, so fingers on the buzzers!

Is there a difference between a Mk3 Escort XR3i BC 5 speed gearbox and an orion ghia BC 5 speed gearbox?? Someone said the Orion had longer ratios, is this true?

 

There were various ratios used throughout the BC box range. The tallest ratio was actually that used on the Fiesta 1.6D 3-door built from 1984 to 1988. It was geared for WELL over 160mph if used with the right engine

The Orion and Escort had different ratios depending on specification, engine spec and what was available @ the time. The XR3i and Orion 1.6i both had a 4.31:1 ratio final drive.

Also note that the gearboxes were altered in 1987 to remove the selector gate from the remote housing to integral with the gearbox itself.

If you were to put a Fiesta 1.6D gearbox into a MK4 Escort Turbo and use the gear linkage from a pre 1987 Escort / Orion, you would have a Turbo capable of some seriously quick top end speeds straight out.

 

Solid gold info!
Thats exactly what I was looking for, a cheap gearbox with very long ratios that will bolt straight in, perfect!
Looks like i'm now hunting for a mk2 Fiesta Diesel Gearbox!

Thanks again iansoutham

 

If you run into trouble, I MAY even have one around somewhere as my father had a 1.6D Fiesta (very rare for what they are) and kept the engine and box when it got rear-ended a few years ago.

 

I'd be very interested if you do! I have seen one or two in the scrappy from time to time but I could do without waiting for one to turn up, cos they never turn up when you need one and they are getting a bit thin on the ground these days like you say!
Drop me a PM if you find it and wanna sell

 

Okay, I'll ask the old man where he put it later this week and let you know.

Whereabouts do you live? Rough location so I know about collection / delivery, etc...

 

I'm in Nottingham, but TBH unless it's Scotland or something I don't mind a roadtrip to pick up

 

i *think* [you will have to check a haynes book] but a 1.6 carb orion 87-92 has almost identical ratios to the fiesta diesel box!

 

Nope. The Fiesta is higher by just over 10mph @ 70mph. The next nearest is the 1988-1990 Orion 1.8D gearbox.

 

3.54 is a really common final drive in many 80-90 Diesel and carb Escort/Orion models.

 

get a haynes manual as the gear ratios r in there,ther are so many variations i.e selector hub sizes,syncro teeth sizes,these gearboxes are alot harder to mix and match than you think they are bastards call peter at "Gears" this man is a legend wen it comes to ford gearboxes 01704 535760 been doing them for 30+years