how do 2.73 gears work?

[BerniniCaCO3]

I was just thinking on something.
I had 3.08 gears, and sometimes I had a problem. My transmission would shift too soon under light acceleration, and I'd find myself doing idling level kind of rpms while I was actually trying to get onto the freeway. Then, you can't accelerate at all. So I'd have to give it more gas and kick down a gear.
My engine starts to get rough at 500, 600 rpm, and would stall at 400rpm (I found that out, after my electric fan conversion, would demand tons of amperage from the alternator without warning, and the sudden load would stall the engine from a healthy 700rpm idle, to 400rpms or fatally below that).

I just went to 3.55 gears, and while not perfect, it IS better. Noticeably better. I don't have to kick down nearly as often.
A mildly higher stall/ torque multiplying converter should finish the job, for a smooth daily driver.
I made things worse with an HO swap, and with heads that favor higher rpms. I know the stock lopo heads are supposed to be boat anchors, but I think they really do produce more very low end torque.

So what is it like to drive in one of the sedans that came with 2.73s?
I mean, can you almost stall the engine after an upshift? I know that the shifts are governed by output shaft rpm, so that if you have two cars identical in every way, including tv cable adjustment, just with different rear end ratios, that the 2.73 will at least shift at much later speeds (in mph), but at the same speeds according to the tach, so it won't force engine rpms to stallingly low rpms I guess... but that much load on an engine, is it even better for fuel economy?

[86VickyLX]

I was just thinking on something.
I had 3.08 gears, and sometimes I had a problem. My transmission would shift too soon under light acceleration, and I'd find myself doing idling level kind of rpms while I was actually trying to get onto the freeway. Then, you can't accelerate at all. So I'd have to give it more gas and kick down a gear.
My engine starts to get rough at 500, 600 rpm, and would stall at 400rpm (I found that out, after my electric fan conversion, would demand tons of amperage from the alternator without warning, and the sudden load would stall the engine from a healthy 700rpm idle, to 400rpms or fatally below that).

I just went to 3.55 gears, and while not perfect, it IS better. Noticeably better. I don't have to kick down nearly as often.
A mildly higher stall/ torque multiplying converter should finish the job, for a smooth daily driver.
I made things worse with an HO swap, and with heads that favor higher rpms. I know the stock lopo heads are supposed to be boat anchors, but I think they really do produce more very low end torque.

So what is it like to drive in one of the sedans that came with 2.73s?
I mean, can you almost stall the engine after an upshift? I know that the shifts are governed by output shaft rpm, so that if you have two cars identical in every way, including tv cable adjustment, just with different rear end ratios, that the 2.73 will at least shift at much later speeds (in mph), but at the same speeds according to the tach, so it won't force engine rpms to stallingly low rpms I guess... but that much load on an engine, is it even better for fuel economy?

If your engine was stalling from upshifting, you have engine issues. If anything, you should see that your AOD shifts earlier with the 3.55s than with your 3.08s. My trans is ridiculously early now. 1-2 10mph, 2-3, 20mph, 3-4 34mph... My trans used to shift with the 2.73s like this. 1-2 15mph, 2-3 25mph, 3-4, 45mph.

With 2.73s, you have a greater top speed, since your engine still has more rpm to go through before making a lot of noise but not going anywhere. This also proves for better highway fuel economy, since the engine mostly is at low rpms, consuming less gas, Whereas the 3.55s have a better off the line acceleration, you will ultimately have a lower top speed, but better around town mileage, since the wheels can get up to speed faster than with the 2.73s.

[BerniniCaCO3]

I exaggerated; it wasn't stalling, but it wouldn't efficiently get up to speed, or climb a hill, under light acceleration (shifting sooner, than under heavy acceleration).
What gears do you have now? Thanks for the mph numbers; they're interesting to know.

[Lincolnmania]

be even worse with 2.73's

[1990LTD]

they'll work slowly

[86VickyLX]

I exaggerated; it wasn't stalling, but it wouldn't efficiently get up to speed, or climb a hill, under light acceleration (shifting sooner, than under heavy acceleration).
What gears do you have now? Thanks for the mph numbers; they're interesting to know.

3.55s

[Brown_Muscle]

Are you sure the TV cable is adjusted correctly? Sounds like the pressure is low. You shouldn't have those kind of drivability issues with any (stock) gears.

[marquisman]

2.73s around town suck pretty hard. esp if you do intown, hilly driving, while towing with a station wagon. ask me how i know lol. thing is, thats why you had all the rear gear options. that way, you could apply your panther, to your type of driving. but to be honest, between my brothes 3.27s town car and my 2.73s lincoln and wagon, i choose the 3.27s. 2.73s still lack balls at 70mph on the highway, so you still end up down shifting when hitting inclines/hills. iv found the 3.27s having the same fuel econ as 2.73s but, being much more driving friendly. i still think that, 3.55 is best for mixed driving.

[Southern_Pride]

I hated my 2.73's they were horrid even in fl. With my 4.10's and little tires, its almost as bad. This almost never downshifts when you want it too. But its still as fast as a stock panther that does.

[84merc951]

i think it depends what kind of driving you do. i have 2 panthers. 1 is a bone stock 84 cfi with 2.73s and a 86 colony park with 3.23s. the colony park being heavier and a taller gear gets better mpgs around town and up to about 70 mph. then the 84 cfi 2.73s gets worse mpgs around town but over 65 mph is good. the 84 cfi has no probs accelerating and is real strong but takes longer to get to speed. i think the same that you have a tv pressure issue. hope this helps \matt

[1980c10]

Sounds like you need to adjust the TV pressure higher to me.

[sly]

my 88 with 2.73s in it pulls pretty good from the line... but highway acceleration is nonexistent. Once it's in 3rd, you can forget about having any power. I do have the TV cable adjusted to hold it a bit longer than usual though and a shift kit and wide range gears in the trans so it does help around town. 3.55 L and an HO swap would work better though.

[86VickyLX]

Maxxed out, there is no more adjustment

[sly]

My mark is maxed out... the bracket on the trans needs to be bent away a bit. The adjustment itself is nowhere near maxed.

[gadget73]

How do 2.73 gears work? Poorly.