Maiden voyage

[coW52Dodge]

Went out for my B3B's maiden voyage yesterday. I had rolled it around the neighborhood before but wanted to do a couple more things before I'd feel more secure in driving it around in real traffic.

It stops very nicely now.

What a blast! I got a bunch of waves, thumbs up and had a nice chat with an old dude at a gas station. Apparently his dad had one when it was new.

One soccer mom apparently didn't appreciate me going slow (40 in a 35) but that was the only finger I got - not bad for SW CT. We are close to NYC so seeing fingers flipped while driving isn't unusual.

I definitely need to double clutch to not get these gears to grind. Could it be some sort of adjustment, maybe back the clutch up a little bit? First gear seems to want to drop out when you start rolling but that gear isn't very useful anyway.

[Merle Coggins]

Even if you have a 4 speed your B3 should have the syncomesh version of the New Process 420. You shouldn't need to double clutch. However, maybe you do have a non syncro trans. The quickest way to tell is to look at the drain plug. Angled down means spur gear, pointing straight back = syncromesh.

If you have a 3 speed it should also be a syncromesh trans. No need to double clutch unless your syncros are bad.

Merle

[coW52Dodge]

Even if you have a 4 speed your B3 should have the syncomesh version of the New Process 420. You shouldn't need to double clutch. However, maybe you do have a non syncro trans. The quickest way to tell is to look at the drain plug. Angled down means spur gear, pointing straight back = syncromesh.

If you have a 3 speed it should also be a syncromesh trans. No need to double clutch unless your syncros are bad.

Merle

Thanks, Merle

Mine is a synchro mesh 4 speed, with the drain plug pointing straight back, from what I remember - been laying under the truck a lot over the last month.

I'll drive it around for now as is, I guess, because it is way too much fun to drive right now. I'll have to drop the tranny at some point. It would make for another good winter project, unless someone knows of a good replacement transmission.

Rem

[MBF]

Cowdodge-congratulations. I have a syncro 4 speed I'd probably sell. PM me when you get closer to needing it. Mike

[coW52Dodge]

Cowdodge-congratulations. I have a syncro 4 speed I'd probably sell. PM me when you get closer to needing it. Mike

PM sent!

[coW52Dodge]

Looking at my pedal just now, I have about 2.5" of play before it feels like it engages. Is that's too much? I wonder if my clutch isn't fully disengaging or something like that..

[grey beard]

Congratulations on getting the truck on the road. I know the feeling, and remember it well. Try adjusting your clutch so there is only one inch of free play at the very top. Adjustment is on the end of the shaft thde clutch pedal rides on - two jamb nuts and set screws. Makes a big difference. With it set at one inch, your pressure plate will release a little more when you clutch, and this may improve your shift quality.

[coW52Dodge]

Congratulations on getting the truck on the road. I know the feeling, and remember it well. Try adjusting your clutch so there is only one inch of free play at the very top. Adjustment is on the end of the shaft thde clutch pedal rides on - two jamb nuts and set screws. Makes a big difference. With it set at one inch, your pressure plate will release a little more when you clutch, and this may improve your shift quality.

I did this morning and there's a little less grinding and can now float the gears into position with a very light touch. If I yank it into gear, it grinds without double clutching.

It is also near impossible to downshift, even with double clutching. but perhaps I don't have a good feel for the required engine speed yet.

On top of that, my gears are very hard to find. The PO thought it was a three speed but I found a fourth gear. I now have a pretty good feel for all the all gears but the tranny definitely needs some work so am taking Mike up on his offer.