help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

i got the up shift down pretty good but cannot downshift from third to second to save my life.any tips would help.going to change tranny fluid tomorrow,got 600.been in there over 10 years.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

time to learn how to double clutch.
shift into neutral and rev the motor
then shift into second.
practice makes perfect

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Double clutch yes. That's what it takes, since these are not synchro transmissions and they are straight-cut gears.



I might add to the "rev the motor" --- Rev it to about the RPM's that the engine will be at when it is in 2nd at the speed you are going. It will seem to be pretty high, but practice will make the difference. That being said, I don't downshift nearly as much in the A as I do a modern car. Even with 6 years of practice, I occasionally don't get it quite right. My own opinion is that they did not downshift on the fly back in the day as much as we do these days with synchro trannies in modern cars.



Good luck.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Because of the ratio split, you need to rev the engine more than you think. It's like shifting a four speed from top directly to second.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

The manual itself says go directly and immediately from third to second without pausing or double clutching. I find it only works that way at speeds under 20 mph. Otherwise double clutch.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Down shift way before you need to. If you miss the shift and are depending on it to slow you down on a grade, you may be in trouble.

Mitchell makes a synchronized Model A transmission that is in the stock box.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

The Ford mode A sliding gear 3 speed standard transmission uses straight cut spur gears without synchronizing drums. Therefore it needs to be double clutched to shift up or down to mesh these gears without grinding....Henry referred to these transmissions as "crunch boxes", preferring the planetary transmission found on the Model T....But that's another story for another day.....

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

What worked for me was two things: first, get a speedometer app on my phone and mount it temporarily in front of me so I could see my speed. Second, find a big open property with a winding drive to practice in. I used a local cemetery.

The actual operation is that you shift from 3rd to neutral, let the clutch out, blip the throttle, clutch in, and ease the shifter into second. The practice part is needed to train your ear to know what engine sound corresponds to being under 20 mph. That’s really all there is to it.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Are you trying to downshift in situations where you actually need to? Or,just where you want to,like a modern car. I had to educate a friend when he bought an A.He was trying to shift it to slow down,and trying to shift down when there was no need to.If a car was making a turn in front of him he kept wanting to drop a gear and hit the throttle to go around it.He kept wanting to drive it like his three on the tree Falcon.It took him a while to come to terms with the slower pace of operation in the A.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Ford’s owner instruction manual says to up shift 1-2 at 5-8 mph, up shift 2-3 at 15-18 mph, no need to double clutch at these speeds! If you’re grinding the gears at this recommended speeds then you have other issues like to fast of an engine idle, engine not returning to idle, transmission has too lightweight oil. If you get it right you can slide the gears without using the clutch ( just ask a good semi truck driver ) on a good day I could do it but I don’t recommend it. As for down shifting double clutching is a must that I couldn’t get right.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

So I brought home my avatar truck. It was a pretty easy drive up onto the car carrier/flatbed.

Once home I decided to "get familiar" with the truck and took it out for a couple of "spins."

It drove pretty good. No clashing of gear no issue with shifting using my modern sensibility.

It was then I decided to start tearing down the truck for a restoration. Out comes the motor and tranny. Motor was replaced with a rebuilt unit. Transmission was next for restoration.

Open the top and pour out the fluid before beginning.

WHAT is this? Sawdust/wood cuttings all mixed with the oil.

No wonder it shifted so easily and drove so well.

Joe K

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

If you have a Mitchel overdrive, shift it into neutral and immediately down shift the transmission without double clutching and then shift the Mitchell back into low or high.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Ramman, Starting from 3rd gear:

1. Push the clutch pedal to the floor
2. Shift in to neutral
3. Let the clutch pedal out (all the way up)
4. Rev the engine to the rpm that 2nd gear will need (this is where experience is needed)
5. Push the clutch pedal to the floor again
6. Put the transmission in 2nd
7. Let out the clutch pedal

Same procedure for going from 2nd to 1st.

Unless you need the engine to help you slow down going down a grade, down shifting is not normally needed. In town driving you just pull up to a stop and shift from third into first (with the clutch pedal to the floor as normal).

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Your ears are a valuable tool. When going through the double clutch process you will learn the engine's audible "sweet spot" that is ideal for switching gears.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

I tried that still grains

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Sometimes, there is no substitute for a visual demonstration. This is one of those times. Here you go- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDCJ2ARHQwI

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

One more thing is patience. You will get the feel of the timing with practice. These transmissions do not shift quickly like a modern trans.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

As a test, shift from 3rd into neutral, rev it as high as you think you should.
While still in neutral, push forward lightly into 2nd.
It will grind until it slows down enough.
That engine sound is what you want each time.
If it never goes in, you didn't rev enough.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

It’s true, just watching someone do it is really helpful. I didn’t get the concept until I took a ride in ndnchf’s pickup and watched him do it. Still had to practice.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Many engine builders will tell you never downshift to slow a car down. Down shifting at a high speed puts a strain on the engine. It is better to use your brakes than use the engine/transmission to slow down. You’re not driving a race car with a disposable engine. The Corvette owners manual also states to use your brakes. Down shifting should be done at lower speeds to avoid lugging the engine. To each his own.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Excellent opportunity to ask for a local local club member to show you how.
P.S. shows you how, but he can't ride along to walk you thru the learning part.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

I was taught that this process is double DEclutching and I think that gives a clue as to how to do it. I have explained here before that our cars have the accelerator between the clutch and brake pedals. This video shows how to double declutch down AND use the brake at the same time. Watch his right foot straddle both pedals. Not sure if that is even possible with your LHD setup.https://www.google.com/search?q=doub...s3Xo1-Lhs,st:0
My father used to tell me to give it a good gob full of juice when you change from 3rd to 2nd and an even bigger gob full when going back to 1st from 2nd. Don't be afraid to give it a rev. With practice, you' get it. Paul Shinn (post 17) shows it pretty well in the video.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

thanks will try it.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Yes, clutch out.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Yeah, I tried it a couple of times, but one has to be careful with that. I double clutch out of precaution.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

[QUOTE=nkaminar;2270637]....."Unless you need the engine to help you slow down going down a grade, down shifting is not normally needed. ...." Uh ?? Don't know the geography of where you live Nkaminar but over we have many steep narrow slow hills and even if anticipated with full blast 3rd gear Yabber Dabber Do we need to drop down into second, and a couple of gradients within a mile of me are 33% 1st gearers!

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Did you find oatmeal in the radiator fluid (another dust bowl fix)?

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

I learned how to drive in a 1952 F3 pickup on the farm. It had the old 4-speed non synchro gearbox so it was a learning experience downshifting all the way through the gears. The double clutch is a way to slow the countershaft cluster gear so that the shift will be manageable. The RPM matching is the most important part about downshifting but the two actions work hand in hand. Each different transmission of this type is a new experience but just having the knowledge of how to best negotiate a downshift is a big plus in the process.

I had to drive an old late 40s International fire truck when I worked at an airport up in Kansas. I was the only one that could drive it without grinding gears. Anyone that has experience with the old Internationals will know what I'm talking about. It had the weirdest shift pattern of any truck I ever drove.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

...

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Unless you need the engine to help you slow down going down a grade, down shifting is not normally needed. In town driving you just pull up to a stop and shift from third into first (with the clutch pedal to the floor as normal).[/QUOTE]

Around here crooked winding roads and steep hills would require you to learn the skill of down shifting. I have been practicing on my AA (4 speed) chassis driving on a milk crate in neighborhood while working on body.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

The international hay hauling truck (ZX Ranch, Paisley, Oregon, circa 1965) had a 5 speed main, and a 3 speed Browney. It went all the way down to low, low on the grade going north of Summer Lake. A stall would have been bad. That was a straight six gas engine. You kept it pegged. That took two hands, with the left hooked thru the steering wheel. Never missed a shift. Double clutched. So my experience driving my first model a was a good learning experience, and probably saved one of my nine lives.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

If you think that there is 600 in the box, I wouldn't change it until the replacement arrives. The real thing is THICK, MIGHT TAKE A WEEK DRAINING IN PRESENT COLD WEATHER ! How you gonna get it in ? (You need a pump).

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

replaced the oil with 600.to crappy to try it out here in upstate ny

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

Agreed. I tried to shift that way at 10mph or so... never again. If you can rev match, do that. I tend to drop into 2nd between 15-25mph. If the car starts lugging up a hill I'll downshift at 25, taking a corner on a flat road I'll let it slow down to 15. I know what the manual says but under any sort of load 12-15mph in high gear lugs the engine too much for my liking.

Re: help dowshift 3rd to 2nd
 

I found that my truck prefers to be down shifted at 15 mph, and it likes being downshifted to first at 9 mph. to down shift from third to second, clutch it to neutral, let clutch go, give it a blip on the throttle, clutch and slide it into second. Back to first goes the same way. at 9 mph clutch it out of gear, let clutch go, blip throttle again, clutch and slide it back into first. If you car doesn't like being shifted, put the 600W in it and throw a couple table spoons of general purpose grease in there too. it thickens up the oil and makes it shift smooth as silk. Idle speed also can affect shifting. Adjust your idle so when you clutch to put it first you can stamp on the clutch and count to 3, at 4 you should be able to pop it in gear with no crunching.