Re: types of shifting

[Dan McCormack <mcwheels@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

That's exactly how you downshift without the clutch Sean. You float the 
engine so you're not accelerating or decelerating and slip it into neutral 
then rev the engine to match the engine speed to the gear you want to shift 
into and slip into that gear. I learned this clutchless shifting trick on a 
VW van I used to drive when I was a delivery boy for a drug store. (Anybody 
remember those days when the drug store would deliver your prescriptions?) 
Actually I self taught myself to drive a stick on that VW. My Dad got me the 
job and I was afraid to tell the owner that I never drove a stick before.

That clutchless shifting trick came in real handy years ago. I had a Dodge 
van with a 3 on the tree and the clutch rod broke when I was about 20 miles 
from home. I was able to shift between the gears without the clutch but 
stopping for a light was a bit of a problem. I'd downshift to first if I saw 
a light coming up, go slow and hope I didn't have to stop. However if I did 
I'd slip it into neutral just before I stopped, shut off the van and put it 
into first gear. Then when the light changed I'd restart the van in first 
gear. It was pretty jerky getting started but it got me home.

Dan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean B" <polecat2@xxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 12:09 PM
Subject: RE: types of shifting


> D J,
>
> I just got my class A CDL.  I'd love to shift without the clutch, and
> am learning how to do this on the upshifts.  How do you avoid the clutch
> on the downshift?  I have to push in the clutch and rev the engine about
> 500 rpms before I downshift.  Any advice is appreciated.
>
> Sean


----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!

'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.