Well, its been a whole two days since i got plates on Mildred and we're finally legal to hit the open road . But it seems i still am having problems finding that happy spot shifting between low and high. I've tried going a little faster than i think i should, reduce the timing a tad release some throttle and it shudders till i reduce the throttle and just creep along in high till it smooths out. Am i missing something here? How slow is too slow in high gear? And maybe am i just going too fast and being too impatient for it to get up and go? I know it takes some time to master this, but at the same time i don't want to put undo stress on it because of my incompetence.
Hi John,
When I was about 16 my late grand dad explained it to me "on the fly"
He never touched the spark lever once the car was running. Just got off in low, revved her up and when it came to going into high, it was a smooth "slide the throttle all the way up, and at the same time release the pedal smoothly." Then when you give throttle again, its a smooth slide of "just a little... and more from there."
Re-reading this is making me laugh
Anyway, maybe he was dumbing it down for me, but when i got the hang of it, there was no shudder and the motor, although sounding like the revs were very low, pulled smoothly up till she was going along nicely.
I learned to drive my car that way, but driving his was different. I've driven many T's and they are all different... You will have to get the hang of it, but I believe, in principle that the method he explained is correct.
Basically he was letting the motor return to idle, so when the pedal came all the way out it would be close to where it needed to be when he gave throttle again. Making sure the throttle was fed slowly and smoothly was his way of not labouring the car that often caused shuddering.
Hope that makes sense.
Remembering those time has been good!
He was a big guy and the steering wheel was wedged into his lap. It used to look like he was steering from his pant packets! The cars here are mostly Canadian RHD's so his right hand went around the back of the steering wheel and over the steering shaft. That was how he worked the throttle (left lever for us). He took up most of the seat... A great big man with an even bigger heart.. miss him
So, back to topic. My car had original ford style clutch plates, and if I went into high too fast, it slipped and shuddered. I HAD to learn how to change smoothly.
His car has Turbo 400 plates, and if you shift too fast, it chirps the wheels. Not good either. Match the revs and its smooth as silk.
I've seen guys keep the engine revving and just drop the pedal. Works for them, but I still try to drop revs as I change.
I digressed but I had fun doing it!
Cheers
Justin
Thank you Justin, great story about your grand-dad and his version which i will definitely try..
No worries! Nice profile pic!
Thank you Justin, my car is just a driver..Yours is amazing, i would be terrified to drive that as to just scratch it
Here is mine, the 90 year old lady that takes all my money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUbK1h9PzD0
Thanks John!
Really though, its had a hard life, and look close and you'll see plenty evidence of that.
The American cars I've seen and driven are way nicer in my opinion. She'll get there though.
I remember watching your video a little while back. She's a beauty and runs great! I will upload a video when I start mine again.
Right now I am in the final stretch having replaced or repaired just about everything in the motor. Learned a lot, but still have a ways to go.
Doing the drive shaft, differential, and axles now.. lots wrong there.
When she's done I hope she runs as smooth as yours.
Cheers
Justin