The Ford Barn

rotorwrench · 05-03-2026, 02:47 PM

I learned to drive in a 1952 Ford F3 with the old T8 4-speed and I had to learn to shift by ear. Over time, I got used to the sound pitch of the engine ( no tach ) at the best rpm at my own favored shift in points. This works both at upshift and down shift by rpm maching with the throttle. I was simply learning how to shift without any dog or gear grinding.

Ford used to put gear select ranges on the speedometer but they only did that for the larger trucks for the most part. My Pop had a 1948 F6 that we used for grain harvest until he purchased newer models. After that, it was seldom used by anyone but Pop or myself until he traded it off in the late 70s.

05-03-2026, 02:47 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: Optimum RPM for shifting? I learned to drive in a 1952 Ford F3 with the old T8 4-speed and I had to learn to shift by ear. Over time, I got used to the sound pitch of the engine ( no tach ) at the best rpm at my own favored shift in points. This works both at upshift and down shift by rpm maching with the throttle. I was simply learning how to shift without any dog or gear grinding. Ford used to put gear select ranges on the speedometer but they only did that for the larger trucks for the most part. My Pop had a 1948 F6 that we used for grain harvest until he purchased newer models. After that, it was seldom used by anyone but Pop or myself until he traded it off in the late 70s.