Muncie aux trans - can you shift when moving?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Muncie aux trans - can you shift when moving?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 06:44 am:

If im running along in high gear with the Aux.trans in normal,can I shift into Overdrive when Im moving?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Putnam, Bluffton, Ohio on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 07:04 am:

The older transmissions are not syncromesh like a modern one. Yes, you should be able to shift on the go but you have to match engine rpm with the gear rpm you are shifting into. Usually you have to slow the engine rpm because you are going to a higher ratio. This is a learned ability, done by sound of the engine and some patience. If you are an older person you will understand the term "grind me a pound"! That is when some driver missed a shift an tried to force the gears to mesh. LOL


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 07:09 am:

I can! You probably will need practice. I've had a Muncie since the 70's. AUXILARY BRAKES are important. You've got to match the engine RPMs to your speed. Since it's not syncronized, it's easy to get caught between gears, then the Ford brake is useless--you'll be suprised at how hard you can pull on that emergency brake handle! I run in direct most of the time mainly because of the noise of the straight cut gears in low and o'drive. It can be intimidating at first working the spark, gas, Muncie, and Ruxtel while steering and watching where you're going! My speedsters with Muncies also have foot controlled gas pedals. Make sure you have plenty ow wide open space to learn.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 07:11 am:

Fred,

I am not an expert on Muncie trans, but from what I understand, there is a safety issue if you miss the shift and get in neutral as you will not have the transmission brake. If you have rocky mountain brakes it is not so much as an issue.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 07:56 am:

Great info guys,I grew up with 2spd rears,tractors,and can downshift my model a's. Ive taught my kids how to shift without a clutch,and many a ladyfriend also. Ive got plenty of dirt road/driveway to learn this T stuff. loosing my braking power is a concern.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 08:01 am:

I would not leave the driveway with an aux tranny, and without wheel brakes that stop in both directions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 10:35 am:

Fred,

You don't say whether you are driving a regular T or a TT. I have a TT with a low ratio rear end. Once everything is warmed up I usually start out from a stop in direct/low, then direct high, then once I get going I'll shift to overdrive/high. This combination may not work as well on a regular T since the rear end is a higher ratio, but I'm sure you can find a pattern that works for you without using all 7 forward combinations and all 6 reverse combinations.

Shifting on the fly is easy with a little practice. Good Luck and do pay attention to the very important advice above about having auxiliary brakes!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 12:18 pm:

Its a TT ... it does have some Big brakes on the rear that work. I will take a photo.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Paddison, Portland Oregon on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 02:06 pm:

I have a Chicago Aux. in my '26 roadster and I fly through the gears on the road all the time....makes a T that much more drivable in my opinion.

I also agree on the R-M brakes for safety...I don't feel safe or comfortable driving a T with an Aux. that doesn't have R-M or accessory brakes.

...A foot throttle in book is a MUST as well with an Aux. gearbox.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 02:54 am:

I have driven model Ts with auxiliary transmissions and only small drum lined emergency brakes. I am crazy, and I find it scary. Don't do it. I am finally getting the 80 year old new brakes on the boat-tail now. I will feel a lot better about driving it. That means I will drive it and enjoy it a lot more.
Shifting on the fly is necessary in order to get any real benefit from overdrive or underdrive. Learn to anticipate. Avoid shifting going down hill. Avoid shifting on curves. I usually complete a stop, then downshift to under before proceeding.
And definitely have some kind of good brakes. Most of the Ts I have had, I had good (old) outside brakes hooked up to the brake handle. The transmission brake I kept just how Henry built it. I like that arrangement. I use the hand brake for most of my stopping. I get used to it and it just became natural to grab the handle even in a panic stop.

Foot throttle, foot feed, accelerator pedal, what ever you want to call it. Most people like them. I do not. I was taught how to shift by giving the steering wheel a "bear hug" and using my left hand to work the hand throttle. Once you learn this, it also becomes natural and easy to do. The advantage to this is that you have a much more precise control of your engine speed. This makes a big difference when the transmission has square-cut gears and no syncro-mesh. When you are bouncing along in a T, it is difficult to hold your foot steady.
Mostly, to get good with shifting these beasts, you just have to practice, a lot.
So,
Drive carefully, and enjoy, "Madman with a Muncie", W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 06:33 am:

This has been good reading,im learning alot. Now..I want to ask something without opening a big can of worms...What wt.oil do yall use in your Muncie...90wt gear oil?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Tuominen on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 01:13 pm:

May I add my 2 cents? My 25 TT has both the Muncie and Ruckstell. The driving sequence is as follows: The Muncie is in direct drive (right, aft on the H shift pattern) and the Ruckstell is pulled aft. Normal starting of the truck. To move forward, depress the low speed pedal, accelerate the throttle (I also removed the auxillary foot pedal for more leg room). Move the parking brake forward and release the low speed pedal. When the speed of the truck increases I back off the throttle with my right hand, move the Ruckstell lever forward and apply throttle. The truck gains speed. When I feel its time to shift the Muncie, right hand again, I close the throttle, move the Muncie shift forward then back to the throttle. There is no gear gnashing and the truck seams to respond nicely. Just my M.O. I also have R-M brakes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Paddison, Portland Oregon on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 01:58 pm:

I drive mine a bit differently. I never start out with my Chicago in Direct, I start in Underdrive and usually take off in Model T Low...drop her into Model T high then go for direct....and eventually Overdrive.

Some times I'll just start off in Model T high (no low band) with the aux. in underdrive


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 02:21 pm:

Actually, you can drive a TT with a Muncie just like a regular sliding gear car. Just use the clutch and never use the T low band. Start out in under drive/high, shift to direct drive/high, then shift to over drive/high. This works fine in a TT, but might be a little hard on the clutch in a regular T due to the higher ratio rear end gears.

I guess the point is that you need to find the combination that suits you best personally. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it as long as you're not putting too much strain on anything.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 02:49 pm:

Thanks again,im going to have alot of fun with this TT Rear tires and trans screen should be in Sat.or Monday! Ive got to fix sone water leaks up front,ex leak...change the rest of the fluids and get the lights working and ship off 4 coils to be rebuilt! Then ive got a Model A to fire up!


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