Gearbox Guide - Page 1
Last Updated on January 02 2012

Fiesta/Escort FWD Gear Linkage
If you want information on how to modify a FWD linkage, to reduce play (especially if you have already fitted the B&M #45096 short shifter), check the guide.

Dismantling the Quaife BC gearbox
Click here for a pictorial guide on dismantling the Quaife BC gearbox.

Using the Zetec with front and rear wheel drive gearboxes
One of the most common questions I'm asked is, "what gearbox can I fit to the Zetec engine?", and its a perfectly valid one, which I can hopefully answer below. If you're installing the Zetec in to a kitcar, or any other car, perhaps even a historic or classic car, then this guide should go some way to help you make your decision.

Ford's silver top and black top Zetec engines have been fitted to Mk1 and Mk2 Fiesta's, Quantums, Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts, Anglia's, Orions, Cortina's, Lotus Europa's, Westfields, and all manner of kit cars.

Ford (being the sensible people that they are) decided to stick to the same bellhousing pattern that they have stuck to since the 1960s. So for a rear wheel drive (RWD) application, you can use the Type-9 five speed box from the Sierra, plus an RS2000 bellhousing. One simply bolts to the other. Note: The Type 9 has a 1" 23-spline input shaft and the 2000E four speed box has a 7/8" 20-spline input shaft. The MT-75 (Granada) or T5 (Sierra Cosworth) gearboxs also fit on the Zetec.

Zetec crankshafts are already machined to accept a RWD spigot bearing, which again simplifies things somewhat.

To fit the Zetec engine on the front wheel drive (FWD) Type BC gearbox, simply replace the Mondeo Zetec 2.0 flywheel with the one from the Silver Top Escort 1.8 Zetec, and use the clutch cover and friction plate also from a Silver Top Escort 1.8 Zetec.

And the clutch?
The Silver Top flywheel should be used, as the later dual mass flywheel on the Black Top Zetec's isn't suitable due to their size and weight. The flywheel will need re-drilling to accept a Pinto clutch. Keep the Mondeo Zetec clutch cover. Use a sierra 1.8 CVH friction plate. Fit a ford spigot bearing, change the clutch release bearing to a capri part CT133 Quinton Hazel (available from most motor factors). A new spigot bearing costs approx £10 from Ford. For FWD applications, you should use an AP Racing 220mm clutch and clutch cover.

You can get away with using a standard Zetec FWD clutch for RWD applications but, as the fulcrum point for the clutch release arm is in a different place on FWD cars, you'll find that in a RWD vehicle the clutch pedal will only have half its normal travel.

Please note: This information has been taken (with very kind permission) from the TRANSMISSION page in the Burton Power catalogue. For more information, visit the Burton Power website.

2000E "Bullet"

Type 2000E
A medium duty 4 speed box with three selecor rails. Has been made with various gear selector positions; steering column change, two types of floor change and remote floor change.

Fitted in:

Type 2

Type 2
Type 2, four speed single rail light duty gearbox as fitted to all Mk1/2 Escorts (Excluding RS/Mexio and Twin Cam). All type 2 gearboxes have integral bellhousings.













Type 3

Type 3
Type 3, four speed single rail version of the 2000E gearbox.

Fitted in:

Type E

Type E
4 speed single rail gearbox, used for more demanding applications than the Type 3 box. It is available with or without an integral bellhousing. Often referred to as the 'Rocket' box. (Rocket was the name of the original close-ratio competition gearbox that was based on the Type E).

Fitted in: