1953 GA 4 speed transmission - no second gear syncro

[jsd245]

So I finally got a chance to drive the truck a bit- 3rd and 4th gear are definitely syncro. Downshifting to third requires no double clutching. However downshifting to second indicates that it definitely is not syncrod. Upshifting from 1st to second is no issue- downshifting from 3rd to second is a no go without double clutching- which I apparently  suck at. 

 

Is this correct? only third and 4th are syncro on this transmission, or is my second gear syncro just shot? 

Edited January 28, 2022 by jsd245

[chstrumpetdude]

Yep! the New Process helical box was only synchronized in 3 & 4. The 3 speed at the time was only synchronized 2 & 3. (2nd is really 1st gear ratio when comparing a 4 to 3 speed) I don't use my first gear unless I end up hauling a heavy load, which I doubt I will often.

If you need to downshift to 2, there is a supposedly a trick to shift to 3 using 3's syncros to slow down and then you would be able to shift to 2 or 1 without worrying about matching the gears speed. 

I have a spur 4 speed that I am wanting to swap for the above reason to a transmission like yours. I live in a moderately large city and stop signs are a pain. They didn't get a synchro 2nd until the 60s I thing and by then the flathead was out.

Edited January 28, 2022 by chstrumpetdude

[wallytoo]

i can’t say about the synchros, but the transmission in my b1f is a 4 speed non-synchro.  with practice, downshifting from third to second will work with double clutching.  as noted, i also rarely drop down into second once moving.  3rd low is low enough to manage most slow turns, even with a load.  and, with your 2-speed, you can make the downshift a bit easier by splitting, from 3low to 2 hi.  should reduce the gear clash a bit.

[jsd245]

Well good to know the transmission is working as intended. I need to finish the brakes get some turn signals and brake lights on the truck and I drive it a bit to try to figure out the 2 speed rear and the 4 speed.