TRANSMISSION
The standard gearbox is a three-speed with poor ratios, and along with the sidevalve engine, it’s unlikely that it will be staying in the car for long.The trouble is, it’s tiny, so upgrading to a four-speed will require transmission tunnel mods.
A popular mod in the past was to let in the tunnel from a 107E and install a three-rail 1200 Anglia gearbox with 2000E ratios. However, like the 107E bulkhead, you’re unlikely to come across the panelwork so you will need to fabricate a tunnel at home. Fortunately, Old Ford Autos can supply plans to make up a tunnel for either the three-rail four-speed or single-rail four-speed and Type-9 five-speed ’boxes.You will also need to fabricate a suitable gearbox crossmember, or follow Old Ford Autos’ lead and make up box sections with internal captive nuts that allow you to bolt up a standard-type crossmember. The handbrake will now need adapting and relocating.
At the rear, the original 100E axle is next to useless (plus the stud pattern is all wrong — see the Wheels section. A sensible upgrade is to install a complete 105E back axle, which not only solves the stud pattern issue, but opens up a whole world of diff ratios and upgrades. To fit one, you will need to carefully remove the saddles from the 100E axle and fit them to the new one.
A MkI Escort axle can be used, but this effectively limits your choice of wheel width to 5.5 inches, as it’s longer than the 105E’s.
The standard prop now won’t fit so, depending on the gearbox, get a later one shortened — use a modified 1200 Anglia one for a three-rail gearbox, for example.
“INSTALLING AN ANGLIA 105E AXLE OPENS UP A WHOLE WORLD OF DIFF RATIOS AND UPGRADES”