ukartist Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Hi All I wonder if you kind Opel chaps/chapessess can help an old Vauxhall owner please I have a 1972 Vauxhall FE 1800cc but it has a Rover V8 3500cc standard P5 engine with an LT77 gearbox and propshaft made to fit. I have fitted colour coded modern Megane 16" wheels onto the 4 stud 100PCD, replacing the original 13" wheels. But the revs at 60-65 MPH are too high and I need to cruise at a more comfortable 70MPH with lower revs. I believe the rear axle ratio on the standard axle is 3.9:1 so I am looking to get down to something like 3.0:1 Although my friend is a mechanic by profession, naturally fitting axle internals, or replacing an identical axle would be preferable to finding any old suitable ratio axle and spending hours trying to mount and fit it. I have read a post thread on here, and it seems to suggest that the Manta, Opel Commodore B/C, Viceroy, Carlton Mk1 all use the same axle as my FE? Is this true or have I misread it perhaps? If so, then do any of these models have a suitable set of internals I can simply fit into my axle... maybe someone even has them for sale? I could then even use my half shafts and keep my studs and wheels. Or perhaps one of these axles is close enough to mine, with a good ratio, but would have to be fitted as a total unit? Again then I am looking to buy something suitable. Generally any help, thoughts, input and advice would be most welcome. I am an elderly old disabled artist in North Norfolk, living on disability, so dont have vast funds. And my Fe is my daily driver I do love to slowly modify, with a planned airbrush theme of 'the Professionals', for any old fellas that remember the exploits of Bodie and Doyle Regards Phil Tel 01603 879378 Email Phil@UKArtist.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Can you get a photo of the axle and I’ll compare it to the one on my mk1 facelift Carlton. Although I need a diff that’s lower anyway as the revs are waaaaay too high on my 2.2 auto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEPETE Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 You need an axle from a 2.3 FE....ideal one would be a 3.3 one, but will be 5 stud...When I fitted a Rover V8 to my Viva HB in 70's, rear axle ratio was 3:45...so a similar ratio would work in yours as 5th gear is an overdrive... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukartist Posted August 1 Author Share Posted August 1 On 30/07/2024 at 18:06, GTEPETE said: You need an axle from a 2.3 FE....ideal one would be a 3.3 one, but will be 5 stud...When I fitted a Rover V8 to my Viva HB in 70's, rear axle ratio was 3:45...so a similar ratio would work in yours as 5th gear is an overdrive... Hi Pete, thank you for that suggestion. I 'think' my Fe 1800 axle is 3.9 so I need to get down as much as poss from that. From my understanding the FE range should all fit, including the VX2300 and the FE Ventora cars, which is still an FE apparently, despite the VX lettering or Ventora name. After research I seem to have worked out that the Ventora cars had a 3.09 rear axle ratio. But only 1972 to 1975. After that they used different ones that arent much use. The beauty of these axles is that I can use my existing half shafts and swap them over, keeping my studs and wheels. And the axles will bolt straight on, being identical. So now I just need to find a 1972 to 1975 Vauxhall Ventora Fe series axle! Wont be easy but must be one out there somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 Are Bedford axles suitable ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukartist Posted August 2 Author Share Posted August 2 8 hours ago, ®evo03 said: Are Bedford axles suitable ? Erm, I doubt it, cant think any Bedford having a 3.09 axle. I think Ive worked out I really need a Ventora axle from a 1972 to 75 car, that would fit onto my car without any changes and give the ratio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEPETE Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 For info, this is an Opel Commodore axle, which I believe fits your FE.....but lowest diff available is 3.18 ...but hens teeth rare..4 stud axles are available too... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 On 30/07/2024 at 13:32, Sutty2006 said: Can you get a photo of the axle and I’ll compare it to the one on my mk1 facelift Carlton. Although I need a diff that’s lower anyway as the revs are waaaaay too high on my 2.2 auto. mine is also a 2.2 auto and not noticed any issues with revs being too high at motorway speed so i would try to be sure that yours hasn't ever had the axle changed in the past for the wrong one ( i'm pretty sure even the manual2.2 has a higher ratio than the auto ?) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 4 minutes ago, cam.in.head said: mine is also a 2.2 auto and not noticed any issues with revs being too high at motorway speed so i would try to be sure that yours hasn't ever had the axle changed in the past for the wrong one ( i'm pretty sure even the manual2.2 has a higher ratio than the auto ?) 60mph is about 3200 rpm. It has the larger rear wheel bearings found in an estate or 2.3d, but isn’t as wide as an estate axle. What size tyres does yours have? Mine has 185 70 but I’m sure I put 195 65 14 on my old manual. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 mine is totally standard with 185/70/14 tyres and has the correct axle ratio as far as im aware at least. ive had the car since 94 and its what was on it when i bought it. im not using the car at the moment so cannot give you an rpm vs mph reading but dont remember any issues with it. it may be worth checking on yours that the lockup clutch and associated relay / system is working . in comparison to my cavaliers 3500 rpm is around 70 mph on the 2 litre and over 4000 on the 1.6 . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 Absolutely unrelated to Manta, but I have been looking at final drive / mph figures (My Monza with 8speed ZF project if it’s of any relevance), it you can figure it by using some of the only calculators such as https://spicerparts.com/calculators/transmission-ratio-rpm-calculator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 also . i wasnt aware that saloons and estates had different width axles ? or different bearings . only differences i knew were that 18 and 2 litre manuals were 3.7:1 ratio ,autos and 2.2 manual were 3.45:1 and the 2.2 auto was 3.27:1. according to haynes anyway ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 30 minutes ago, cam.in.head said: also . i wasnt aware that saloons and estates had different width axles ? or different bearings . only differences i knew were that 18 and 2 litre manuals were 3.7:1 ratio ,autos and 2.2 manual were 3.45:1 and the 2.2 auto was 3.27:1. according to haynes anyway ? It’s 3.76 and 3.44 if 100% accurate, but the auto did have larger rears and brakes too. But ty, was not aware of that crown and pinion ration, would be interesting, definitely in a 2.4 CIH16 car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 9 hours ago, cam.in.head said: also . i wasnt aware that saloons and estates had different width axles ? or different bearings . only differences i knew were that 18 and 2 litre manuals were 3.7:1 ratio ,autos and 2.2 manual were 3.45:1 and the 2.2 auto was 3.27:1. according to haynes anyway ? Yes, estates are wider presumably for the extra weight carried for marginally better handling. I put an estate rear on a saloon years ago and the guy I bought it off was like a fountain of knowledge for Carltons. He was selling up due to loss of storage and is hard to get hold of. I suppose I’d better pull the diff cover off at some point and check the teeth, but there’s bob hope of getting the correct diff now! Like rocking horse s**t. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 (edited) im extremely confused now. in all my tears of carlton and cavalier ownership and looking through all my parts catslogues including the official green vynil backed gm one i cannot see any reference to saloons and estates being different . certainly brakes for cavalier / manta b 1.6,1.9 and 2.0 and all models of carlton ive had including my current 2.2 auto saloon all share the same drums and basic shoe size ( bar the difference due to manual or auto adjusters) and also the bearings . so you are saying that the estate ? had a wider axle ? wider in what respect ? have you any links for me to read please .its bugging me now ...lol.... Edited August 4 by cam.in.head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 5 hours ago, cam.in.head said: im extremely confused now. in all my tears of carlton and cavalier ownership and looking through all my parts catslogues including the official green vynil backed gm one i cannot see any reference to saloons and estates being different . certainly brakes for cavalier / manta b 1.6,1.9 and 2.0 and all models of carlton ive had including my current 2.2 auto saloon all share the same drums and basic shoe size ( bar the difference due to manual or auto adjusters) and also the bearings . so you are saying that the estate ? had a wider axle ? wider in what respect ? have you any links for me to read please .its bugging me now ...lol.... I’m afraid I have no technical or links for data. It’s was word of mouth and noticeably different after I’d fitted it. Have a look at this picture…. See what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 it's hard to tell from the pic of wether it looks any different to mine or not but if it's true i'm very surprised ( you never stop learning ) but even the actual gm carlton book and brochures at the time mention nothing . i wonder if someone has just played around with swapping half shafts or something in a viceroy / commodore axle ? rather than a gm version ? lil make some enquiries nice looking carlton by the way . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 53 minutes ago, cam.in.head said: it's hard to tell from the pic of wether it looks any different to mine or not but if it's true i'm very surprised ( you never stop learning ) but even the actual gm carlton book and brochures at the time mention nothing . i wonder if someone has just played around with swapping half shafts or something in a viceroy / commodore axle ? rather than a gm version ? lil make some enquiries nice looking carlton by the way . I’ll take a picture of my current one from the same angle to compare. It’s a shame I don’t have any contacts with an estate to measure the width to 100% confirm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 if yours is wider i'm still curious as to which part makes it wider . the brakes are all identical dimensions and 4 stud even on the viceroy so i wonder what makes it wider ? axle tubes ? this would then mean longer halfshafts too ? or different flange offset ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 6 hours ago, cam.in.head said: if yours is wider i'm still curious as to which part makes it wider . the brakes are all identical dimensions and 4 stud even on the viceroy so i wonder what makes it wider ? axle tubes ? this would then mean longer halfshafts too ? or different flange offset ? I’m kinda sat here now wishing I’d measured everything all those years ago 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 hey don't get too involved it's just something i've never heard of or seen myself . every day is a school day really . and in other news i did your washer /restriction idea on my 2.2 and it's a good thing . when the idle speed control is working correctly it does what it should and occasionally when it throws a wobbly the revs never go above 1200 so not a problem now. even if i find another good ecu il leave the restriction in anyway . cheers for the idea ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 On 05/08/2024 at 13:01, cam.in.head said: hey don't get too involved it's just something i've never heard of or seen myself . every day is a school day really . and in other news i did your washer /restriction idea on my 2.2 and it's a good thing . when the idle speed control is working correctly it does what it should and occasionally when it throws a wobbly the revs never go above 1200 so not a problem now. even if i find another good ecu il leave the restriction in anyway . cheers for the idea ! Yeah mines still in there. Idle is a bit low but I did open the hole a tad to try and raise it but it raised too far so I put another 2p in with original hole. Don’t think I’ll ever find a decent ICV or computer for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 the icv is usually ok. ive never had a faulty one but yes finding a good ecu is the hard bit. if it works as it is now then no problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 Here we go. tried to get as close as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 yes that picture does show a difference . i wonder what the difference is made by ? always learning stuff that how we become who we are and thankyou for taking the time and effort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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