Shift-Speeds

[rfitzpatrick]

With a 411 rear end in my Pickup -- what gear speeds are suggested for city driving?
Thanks

[Jim/GA]

Shift from 1st to 2nd gear soon after the vehicle has started rolling. Anywhere around 5 MPH is fine.

Shift from 2nd to 3rd at around 20 MPH.

You can leave it in 3rd gear and chug around most corners, if there is not a stop sign or light forcing you to stop. No need to shift down to 2nd gear unless you want to accelerate out a bit more quickly after the turn. These engines are high-torque, low-RPM beasts.

At these low speeds and at low RPM, don't over-advance the spark. About 1/2 way down the quadrant is a good spot for slow city driving like this, if the initial timing is set properly at TDC. If it bucks, push the spark lever up a notch or two, and then advance it back when you have regained some speed/RPM.

I hope this helps.

[Dick Steinkamp]

The manual calls for a shift from 2nd to 3rd at 12-15 MPH. I assume that's with the standard 3.78 gears. I'd think with a 4:11 rear end you'd want to be in 3rd before that.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

The manual calls for a shift from 2nd to 3rd at 12-15 MPH. I assume that's with the standard 3.78 gears. I'd think with a 4:11 rear end you'd want to be in 3rd before that.

I agree. I forgot about the 4.11 gear. And I tend to over-rev in 2nd.

[rfitzpatrick]

Thanks Guys-- I've been exceeding these shift speeds. Yes, I over-rev 2nd too

[The Master Cylinder]

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Originally Posted by Jim/TX/GA

I tend to over-rev in 2nd.

Haha. Me too. Probably the worst thing I every installed in my Town Sedan was a tach.

[Railcarmover]

http://www.modelaparts.net/dynosheets.htm/dyno1.htm

Stock model a dyno sheet...shift with peak torque,not horsepower.The shift points are 'short' for a reason,Mr Ford was experimenting with automatic transmissions in the late 20's,Eugene Farkas was developing a cone clutch style transmission. Ford wanted people shifting as little as possible.