31-03-2019, 08:52 PM
On the departmental network most hills in the Cévennes have a gradient of about 5%, as that is about the steepest hill that a horse can pull a laden cart up. It means that on some the RP can't quite hold 4th, so you have to settle for 3rd. I'm happier buzzing along at 25-30mph in 3rd with a little in reserve rather than listening to the engine bog down. Since fitting the 4 blade export fan the car never overheats so there are no worries about vapour lock etc., so I just give it some welly if it's happy.
The other factor is the 4 speed crash box. If you try and go for top you either end up mashing the gears to get it in quick (which I don't like to do) or by the time you've got the gear in smoothly, you're back down to 25mph. It's just easier gritting your teeth and hanging on to 3rd until over the crest. I'm used to the noise, it is what it is but it is nice to get over the top and change up!
The other factor is the 4 speed crash box. If you try and go for top you either end up mashing the gears to get it in quick (which I don't like to do) or by the time you've got the gear in smoothly, you're back down to 25mph. It's just easier gritting your teeth and hanging on to 3rd until over the crest. I'm used to the noise, it is what it is but it is nice to get over the top and change up!