Shifting a double A four speed tranny

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John Losch
Posts: 14
Joined: May 7th, 2014, 3:58 pm
Body Type: 82b stake bed
Model Year: 1930
Location: Holliston, MA

Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by John Losch »

5/14/14

Hello to the list. I have a four speed 1930 AA stake body truck. The transmission is filled with clean 600W oil, in most respects the truck runs --- like a 1930 AA truck --- but I can't downshift the thing no matter how much I double-clutch. Here's the catch. Twenty years ago I owned the truck, had no trouble shifting it up or down, but I don't know what was in the transmission case. Long story, irrelevant, but I recently got the truck back very nicely restored as a working truck.

I am suspicious that the thick oil stops the gears from spinning before I am able to shift. I don't like to believe that I have gotten too old and thus too slow to shift it, even though I am over 80. (Is there Viagra for transmissions?) In any case, I would welcome any ideas, suggestions, or advice you more experienced members of this list can offer. Thanks in advance.

John Losch
Reds34
Posts: 603
Joined: May 15th, 2010, 2:34 pm
Body Type: dump
Model Year: 1930
Location: Eastern, CT

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by Reds34 »

How are you trying to downshift? When I downshift I will take the transmission out of gear (put it in neutral) and let out the clutch. Before pushing the clutch pedal in, step on the accelerator. Right after you give it some gas, push in the clutch and put the lever in your lower gear.

Red
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by Bob C »

Here is a link to shifting on Ford Barn that may help. http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138283

Bob
Shorthaul
Posts: 375
Joined: November 15th, 2008, 8:18 am
Body Type: 186 stake
Model Year: 1931
Location: Hawthorne California

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by Shorthaul »

I think it would be all about the amount of gas you give it between clutches to sync the gear speed.
The oil may be thinner than was initially used and therefore more gas peddel is needed before slipping that baby into gear. Or, you get the grrrrrrrchunkawhomp sound, not real good.
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Chris Haynes
Posts: 2203
Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
Body Type: 82A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Camarillo, CA

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by Chris Haynes »

As a career truck driver for 49 years I only use the clutch for starting and stopping. Up and down shifting is done without a clutch. Mostly done by ear. Slide it into nuetral then rev the engine to the speed you need while gently moving the shift lever. When the speed of engine and gear match it will slide right in.
Hardhatz
Posts: 112
Joined: May 17th, 2009, 10:13 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1931

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by Hardhatz »

What Chris said..

Resist the temptation to press the clutch.
1929 AA boy
Posts: 91
Joined: January 17th, 2011, 8:11 pm
Body Type: AA
Model Year: 1929
Location: Dickinson, North Dakota

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by 1929 AA boy »

Chris Haynes wrote:As a career truck driver for 49 years I only use the clutch for starting and stopping. Up and down shifting is done without a clutch. Mostly done by ear. Slide it into nuetral then rev the engine to the speed you need while gently moving the shift lever. When the speed of engine and gear match it will slide right in.
I would say this is the right way ... ( got a twin stick Mack that's a blast to drive !!)
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Chris Haynes
Posts: 2203
Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
Body Type: 82A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Camarillo, CA

Re: Shifting a double A four speed tranny

Post by Chris Haynes »

1929 AA boy wrote:
Chris Haynes wrote:As a career truck driver for 49 years I only use the clutch for starting and stopping. Up and down shifting is done without a clutch. Mostly done by ear. Slide it into nuetral then rev the engine to the speed you need while gently moving the shift lever. When the speed of engine and gear match it will slide right in.
I would say this is the right way ... ( got a twin stick Mack that's a blast to drive !!)

I cut my teeth in a 1950 Mack LJT. 6 cylinder Hall-Scott engine with three stick brownie 5-4-3.
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