02-05-2022, 07:28 PM
Whilst the gear ratios in my Box saloon are slightly different to the later synchromesh ones (mine is 4 speed crash so 3rd is slightly lower than the 2syn box - 1:1,73 against 1:1,66), the car is quite competent at hill climbing as it has a HC head and an SU carby. It can tackle most gentle gradients in 4th gear without losing too much speed, but on a steeper grade once road speed had dropped to below 30mph it's time for 3rd. With the crash box it's a matter of having to bite the bullet and stay in 3rd until you're over the top because you lose so much speed due to double clutching that there's no point in it. However, the car will happily slog up some serious climbs at 25-30mph (indicated) in 3rd gear without any undue problems and without overheating, even when doing some serious Alpine and Pyrennean climbs that go on for over 20km or more. Patience is the key. Just let it go at a speed it's happy at and it'll keep going for ever.
And wear ear plugs!
And wear ear plugs!