Double Clutch Upshift
 

I've had my 1931 Model A for 20 years, and for the last 10 she was in storage. She has maybe 50 miles on her "newly rebuilt" motor from 20 years ago. In the last few months I got her out of storage and fixed the problems that were keeping her off the road. Fluids were fine and she moves easily through the gears when sitting still.

On my first trip up the road I couldn't shift into 2nd or 3rd, but I could go back into 1st. I tried several times. My wife suggested I double clutch upshift and that works (my God I love that woman). I have since then put about another 5 miles on her (the car not my wife) and still have to double clutch upshift every time.

I don't remember having to do this before I put her in storage. The clutch seems to be adjusted correctly to me. Is double clutch upshifting normal for this gear box and I just don't remember? Will this need go away after I drive her some?

Thanks,
Kyle

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

How cold was the gearbox lube? Go drive the vehicle about 20 miles where all parts & lube inside the transmission are up to operating temps, and then report back to us on how it is shifting.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Check the idle speed, it may be too high. Good Luck!

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I always double clutch going up or downshifting.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

You shouldn't have to double on the upshifts, but, it doesn't hurt. Maybe you're just trying to shift too fast or quickly.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Every car is different. Drive it until the car tells you how it wants to be shifted. Our roadster wants to be shifted very slowly with a second or two between gears and a double clutch on the up shift. Depending on speed, it likes a double clutch and high engine rev on downshift third to second. On our '31 Chrysler, she will grind unless you up shift with a very quick double clutch.

Finding what your car likes assumes you have no tranny or clutch problems since it apparently had no issues when it went into storage.

Glen

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

When I was a teenager, I was great at driving my "A". Now 55 years later it took a lot of practice to learn all over. The most important thing is to go slow and feel the gear into place. It helps not to grip the shift knob, but to just push or pull it with your open hand. Also, idle speed is critical, the slower the better. I think one of the problems todays driver faces is infrequent use of the car. Years ago it was my daily driver, today my "A" is one of my toys, driven only once a week at most.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I'm confused how anyone can upshift without double clutching?

You've got the input shaft / assembly spinning at 2500-3000rpm and you want the gears to suddenly match when the input should be going 1500-2000?

Unless you shift super slow it isn't happening without double clutching.

I double clutch with my foot off the throttle when upshifting and I double clutch and rev the engine to downshift.

Double clutching on all shifts is SOP as far as I know on all non-synchronized transmissions.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I double clutch on up and down shifts also. As others, I assume it is SOP for non-synchronized transmissions. I am not sure how it compares with others, but on upshifts I clutch, shift into "N", clutch and shift into higher gear (all at no throttle). This seems to work well with little or no grinding regardless of speed. Downshifting is similar but I try to match engine rpm with ground speed.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Slow idle speed is a key factor.
Without Double clutching, I shift at 7 mph into 2nd but PAUSE 2 SECONDS.
I shift into 3rd at 20 - 25mph but PAUSE 2 SECONDS.
There is nothing wrong with "Double Clutching" but once you get the "Feel" of changing gears without "Gear Clash" you will see it's really not necessary. Double clutching will wear out your clutch linkage joints twice as fast if you think about it.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Clutch linkage if kept well lubricated will last fine and is easier replaced than gears.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Are there side effects to double clutching?

None that I'm aware of...

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I don't double clutch on an up shift while the gear lube is still cold, but after a couple miles she seems to shift easier (with less noise) if I double clutch up or down. Maybe it's just me.
Marty

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I don't double clutch either up or down.... You mention your car has been stored for 10 years.... Do yourself a favor and make sure the gear box and diff did not leak out over this period of time... That would suck if either was dry....
I agree a low idle and knowing when to shift is key

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Might I also suggest draining and refiling with 600w oil from one of the vendors. It works for 80% of Fordbarners.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

Yep I was gonna say that also

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I do not double clutch, I shift at the right time and shift slow, some times I don't use my clutch

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

and your thrust bearing, there is a lot of forse on it

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

I've known many truck drivers that drive their rigs like this as well. I've also seen guys operate a synchronized like this.

I have a word for it, it's called abuse. There is no way you could be perfectly timed every time you shift and any slight offset causes permanent damage. Maybe you're really good, but there are many that do it that aren't.

Obviously everyone is going to drive their cars, trucks and motorcycles the way they see fit and that's fine. I'll never shift a vehicle without using the clutch and will not shift a non-synchronized transmission without double clutching.

Re: Double Clutch Upshift
 

DAMN!!!! :eek: I just recently got double clutching perfected when down shifting!!! :D O!! Miss Crabtree!!! One more for your double clutching to up shift class. ;)