How do you drive these old beasts?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 35
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How do you drive these old beasts?
Well, considering the only manual transmission I'm used to is the 5 speed on my 76 Honda cycle, I was wondering if someone could give me the general driving procedures for these old things. I mean, I know how a clutch works and all that jazz, I've driven the truck already, etc. What I mean is, since 1st is a granny gear and the other three are syncronized, do you only use 1st for hauling, or would you start out in 1st for normal driving as well? And is there anything else I should know (besides that it's bad to shift from 2nd to 1st while the truck is moving)?
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 74
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From: Petaluma, California
I have a 1980 Ford F-150 with a 4 speed manual and the only times I use first gear are when starting from stop with a load, stuck in traffic, or wheeling. Also I dont think you should shift into first gear when your moving.
Paul
Paul
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
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From: Tehachapi, CA
Use 1st to start from a standing start. If you're facing down hill, you can roll in neutral for a bit and go right into 2nd. Normally, you'll grind gears if you try to shift into 1st while moving. Not a good idea. You can use 1st to start with a load or pulling up a long hill but basically I always preferred shifting up to 2nd or 3rd as quickly as possible if it kept the rpms up enough. 1st has a lot of pull, but usually has a limited range. Downshifting is more fun. You can determine the shift points up or down if you have a tach. Normally, though, you can hear when it's time to shift up or down. My experience with the old ones taught me never to try to beat the synchros. In other words, watch out for trying to speed shift. It's been a while since I've driven a manual and that's sad. I didn't drive an automatic till I was 40 years old. My first car was a 55 Ford V8 with true duals, headers, glasspacks and 3 on the tree.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
My '49 F-2 has a non-sycro four speed which means you have to double clutch between all of the gears. The only time I start in first is if I have a load on that will make the truck choke in second, like when I pull our 8N tractor to a power show. I ususally start in second, wind it out, push in the clutch, shift to neutral, let out the clutch, move the shifter over to just under third, push the clutch in and shift into third. On non-sycro trannies you have to do this every time you shift up. Down shifting is a little trickier. When you slow down to go around a corner you have to push in the clutch, shift to neutral, release the clutch, goose the engine a little to match the RPMs of the tranny, push in the clutch and and shift to the lower gear. You have to do this in a relatively small amount of time, it takes a little practice to do this without grinding gears. I like to watch someone who has never drove a non-sycro transmission try to drive my truck. 
Last edited by bobj49f2; Oct 3, 2004 at 10:15 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
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From: Tehachapi, CA
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
acrylicophobia,
Top speed of 90mph, no sweat, if you're going down hill fully loaded in neutral with a good strong wind at your back
Top speed of 90mph, no sweat, if you're going down hill fully loaded in neutral with a good strong wind at your back
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 561
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From: Minneapolis
Your profile states that your truck is a 54 F350, but does not state the final drive ratio. If it is 4.86, like my F3, 50 MPH is about all you get. If you have a 4.11, you should get to 60 MPH nicely.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 561
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From: Minneapolis
Not the tranny. It is the rear differential; that pumpkin in the center of the axel. Do you have a two speed axle, which provides a high and low for each transmission gear? If not, I think the 5.14 would limit you to 45-50 MPH.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
With a 5.14 you can get higher than 45-50. Our '65 M-350 has a 5.13:1 and you can get it to 65 mph but it's loud. Our '69 C-760 in low with a 8.??:1 can get up to 45 mph and in high with 6.??:1 up to 60 mph. It all depends on how tall your tires are. Tires change the final drive ratio more than swapping diff ratios.