Double-clutching
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ashland, KY
Double-clutching
Everyone says a old truck you have to double-clutch them. I have done this. BUT!! Is there a RIGHT way and a WRONG way to do this. If so can anyone explain the right way to do this. The truck is a 48 F1 V8 Flathead 3-spd in the floor. Need some kind of help before I start picking parts up off the road. Or either get rid of the trans for something easier to shift. Would like to keep this truck all stock if I could. It's made it this long in the game being stock, would like to keep the old girl going.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 292
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From: Nor Cal
Here's something I cut and pasted from a helpfull enthusiast in a previous post. hope it helps some. David
"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 driven a non-sycro transmission try to drive my truck. My experience with the old ones taught me never to try to speed shift."
"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 driven a non-sycro transmission try to drive my truck. My experience with the old ones taught me never to try to speed shift."
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
OK, it has been a long time since I double-clutched a shift, and others on here will be more definitive, I'm sure, but here goes:
When shifting up: I put in the clutch, pull out of that gear and into neutral, let out the clutch and let off the gas until the revs came down, clutch in and shift into the next gear, let the clutch out...
When down shifting: Clutch in, pull out of gear, rev the engine to what sounds like where it should be, clutch in, shift into the gear, let clutch out (still on gas).
Clear as mud, right?
It was always a game of hearing the revs you needed before going into the next gear.
I once had to drive a Forest Service Tanker part-time. It was a 1962 Studebaker with a 5-speed box and a 3-speed auxilliary. No sychros anywhere. The above method worked for me, but that was 40 years and a thousand good brain cells ago.
Hope that helps.
When shifting up: I put in the clutch, pull out of that gear and into neutral, let out the clutch and let off the gas until the revs came down, clutch in and shift into the next gear, let the clutch out...
When down shifting: Clutch in, pull out of gear, rev the engine to what sounds like where it should be, clutch in, shift into the gear, let clutch out (still on gas).
Clear as mud, right?
It was always a game of hearing the revs you needed before going into the next gear.
I once had to drive a Forest Service Tanker part-time. It was a 1962 Studebaker with a 5-speed box and a 3-speed auxilliary. No sychros anywhere. The above method worked for me, but that was 40 years and a thousand good brain cells ago.
Hope that helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
The 3 speed Ford transmissions did not require double clutching because they are partialy synchronized. 2nd and third have a synchro. 1st and rev do not. It's a basic fact that you need to come to a complete stop to shift into 1st.
The most common 4 speed tranny in the 48-52's was not synchro'd at all, requiring double clutching. There was a 4 speed in the F-4 and up series that was an option with synchros. These are rare and sought after. It was common to double clutch back then and buyers bought these larger trucks to work and were very basic with few options.
I learned to double clutch 10 years ago on a WW II GMC 6x6 with a Clark 5 speed. THat was a nice truck to learn on. I restored the truck back to original condition and it was a blast to drive on the street.
But as I said, you don't need to double clutch on a 3 speed floor shift tranny, unless you 2-3 synchro is worn.
Barry
50 F-1
The most common 4 speed tranny in the 48-52's was not synchro'd at all, requiring double clutching. There was a 4 speed in the F-4 and up series that was an option with synchros. These are rare and sought after. It was common to double clutch back then and buyers bought these larger trucks to work and were very basic with few options.
I learned to double clutch 10 years ago on a WW II GMC 6x6 with a Clark 5 speed. THat was a nice truck to learn on. I restored the truck back to original condition and it was a blast to drive on the street.
But as I said, you don't need to double clutch on a 3 speed floor shift tranny, unless you 2-3 synchro is worn.
Barry
50 F-1
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,408
Likes: 5,419
From: Central PA
Don't hafta do it on '53's and up!! But it does bring back memories of driving and old Reo with a 16' flat bed that I got stuck with sometimes as a young kid in the early '70's delivering lumber as the full timers drove the newer Fords and Internationals, matter of fact most of the guys picked the Fords over the IH for obvious reasons... As I recall it didn't have the 2 speed rear that the other trucks had. It was crucial to get the down shifting done right and quick pulling a hill with a load on as you didn't want to lose speed and momentum.
My brother had a '46 Chevy pickup that you had to double clutch, sure was a lot of fun. Like naything you get better at it the more you do it!
abe
My brother had a '46 Chevy pickup that you had to double clutch, sure was a lot of fun. Like naything you get better at it the more you do it!
abe
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 339
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From: St.Paul, MN
ok try this....try using no clutch.....
get it up to your shift point, let off , ..slip it out of gear, put it into the next gear. it should slip right in if you know your trucks shift points or speedometer. keep at it and you will save your clutch... i do this all day long in my bread truck,,, i know a old timer that used to drive cement, he has a original clutch in his 87 f150 and it was hauling a ton of tools in the back. down shifting, you have to rev it at the speed you would normally shift to get it to slip in... n is more tricky.
get it up to your shift point, let off , ..slip it out of gear, put it into the next gear. it should slip right in if you know your trucks shift points or speedometer. keep at it and you will save your clutch... i do this all day long in my bread truck,,, i know a old timer that used to drive cement, he has a original clutch in his 87 f150 and it was hauling a ton of tools in the back. down shifting, you have to rev it at the speed you would normally shift to get it to slip in... n is more tricky.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,556
Likes: 80
From: Manhattan, KS
I agree with Inacity4wheelin on the no clutch shifting. Once you get the hang of it and learn to listen to the engine speed you'll down shift without the clutch. When I was a kid (16 or so) my dad had an early 60's International farm truck with a five speed and 2 speed rear axle. That think must have had square gears because you always had to double clutch or not use the clutch, just match engine and tranny speed. It still ground a fair amount of time. But once you mastered double clutching or no clutch you felt like the king of the world. Too bad my uncle rolled that truck with a load of corn. End of truck!
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ashland, KY
Thanks for all the info from all of you. I can't wait to get out there and try it again. There is a art to driving these old trucks I guess. My 2-3 gear might be worn a bit. I haven't checked it all that well yet b/c I've been driving it around the house here. Figured I enjoy it for a bit before it gets to cold. Can't wait for cold weather really b/c there is nothing like being in a warm garage with a few friends working on my truck and telling a few good storys. Again thanks for all the info guys. If you think of anything eles don't be afraid to writer down. I enjoy reading this stuff.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: St.Paul, MN
my work truck was looser than a old winch, it ground even when i used the clutch at first, but when i mastered my technique, it slipped right in with out a peep.
Last edited by innecity4wheelin; Dec 11, 2004 at 10:23 PM.
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