Learn Something New Every Day...

[James_Douglas]

I young friend who has a 1955 Desoto let me barrow the transmission section of his factory service to make a copy. It has a combined section on the 3-speed and overdrive.

While reading it the other day, I noticed the following:

Section 12. Use of Clutch Pedal :

At speeds below the overdrive cut-in point, the free wheeling action of the overdrive unit makes it possible to do all the gear shifting without releasing the main clutch. Above the cut-in speed, it is necessary to release the clutch for shifting gears. Like wise, the clutch must be released when the car is being started from a standstill, and whenever it is being brought to a stop. [ James Note: of course that last sentence does not apply to use with a fluid coupling]

I was VERY hesitant of trying it. But, since I am running on a test transmission, I figured why not. So off the block I go...I took off on 2nd gear and when I got to about 20 MPH and noted that the governor for the OD solenoid had NOT made contact, I pulled down into 3rd gear. It went in without trouble. I can up to a stop sign and as I was rolling up to the stop, I shifted it down to 2nd gear. No problem.

With a fluid coupling and the OD in freewheel mode it is like "the kids" manual shifting their automatics.

Way cool!

James

[Normspeed]

James, I hadn't tried it for downshifting but it sure works good upshifting. And, if you rig in a toggle switch inline with the governor, you can push in the OD cable, switch the toggle off, and upshift at any speed, no limit. It's fun.

[De Soto Frank]

Neat trick;

Just keep one thing in mind, as long the tranny is free-wheeling, you get no compression-braking from the engine... it's all up to the service-brakes to slow your buggy down.

This was a serious safety-issue when "Free-Wheeling" was introduced back in 1931-'32: brakes were pretty marginal in those days, and a lot of "Free-Wheeling" cars were crashing into things...

Free-Wheeling was nearly unanimously dropped by US Automakers after 1933.

Just a safety-related thought to keep in the back of the mind...

Happy Motoring !

De Soto Frank

[James_Douglas]

Neat trick;

Just keep one thing in mind, as long the tranny is free-wheeling, you get no compression-braking from the engine... it's all up to the service-brakes to slow your buggy down.

This was a serious safety-issue when "Free-Wheeling" was introduced back in 1931-'32: brakes were pretty marginal in those days, and a lot of "Free-Wheeling" cars were crashing into things...

Free-Wheeling was nearly unanimously dropped by US Automakers after 1933.

Just a safety-related thought to keep in the back of the mind...

Happy Motoring !

De Soto Frank

One can always pull the cable out...In my case the front disk brakes help with the fade issue....

James

[De Soto Frank]

Just something to keep in mind when that kid on a skateboard darts out in front of you...

I was always a little concerned about my '48 New Yorker's seeming inability to lock-up the wheels even when I was practically standing-up on the brake pedal...

I'm sure those discs are a big asset on your big 'Burb, James !

De Soto Frank

[Normspeed]

I've been chugging around town this afternoon, using the clutchless up-and-downshifts. What a hoot. I can push in the OD handle, shift from 1st to 2nd and high with no clutch, flip the toggle and it's in high OD. 4 speeds, no clutching needed except from a stop. Then if I'm approaching slower traffic, flip the toggle back and it's out of OD, then downshift from high to second if needed, all clutchless. Also no compression braking available below governor speed like Frank mentioned. But, you can let off the gas and the engine goes to idle, you just coast down to stoplights.