Two motors and one tranny - Page 2 - Ford Forums

kabby · 05-01-2008, 14:18

Boy I'll say you are having bad luck. I just bought a Zephyr but have raced and modified a few Fords over the years and never blew that many.
Must have a heavy foot.

**360ci** · 05-02-2008, 18:31

Heavy foot indeed. Poor regular maintenance comes to mind as well. If your like me I tend to baby not only my older cars, but my newer cars as well. New cars can cruise along the interstates so good you'd never know they're moving until you see the lights flashing in the mirror! Older cars...you don't want to take on the interstate because of the excessive noise etc. The more you 'gun' it the faster components wear. There is a break in period that is set by each manufacturer so that the pistons can seat properly in the cylinders.

The only way a clutch would last indefinitely is if you double clutched and rev matched within 100rpm. I've driven 5,6,7,9,13,18 speed transmissions in cars and transports and can tell you that regular fluid changes, keeping the free-play in check and making sure the wife doesn't go near it, are all key to ensure a long transmission life.

Also, I tow and own several trailers and never would I tow 1500-2000lbs with a car. Cars aren't meant to tow even though they are rated to do so occasionally, and at most 1000lbs with a V6 and mid-size frame. I towed once with my Taurus and not to say it was a mistake as I did get the job done, but the total weight was 900lbs and the car felt burdened by it; more so than if I had loaded the car with passengers and luggage. The dynamics of the car change too much than if I was towing with a truck - a vehicle in which its sole purpose is to do work.

It's just a shame that Mitsu is borrowing parts from the Chrysler bin...the new lancer is nice, the galant is aging gracefully, but part sharing just doesn't cut it in my books.