Re: Shifting in a 28

Posted by Tim Cole On 2012/6/21 18:59:41

Dear classiclincoln:

The non-synchro Packard box is my all time favorite. I have tapes of the darn things that I sometimes pull out and listen to.

Now, the first thing to check is the ring and pinion ratio on your car. It should be on the left hand side of the differential case. The higher the number the sooner you should be shifting into high gear (4.66 was standard). To get the feel begin by shifting early. As soon as your car gets to a brisk walk you can go into second, and into third by bicycle speed.

Note as well that as the bearings wear the trans will become harder to shift.

As for oil 160 summer, 90 winter. Some folks put 250 and what not into the trans but too heavy an oil will starve the bearings.

Now here is a little trick about shifting that you can learn as you get more experience: When you have the clutch released between gears in double clutch mode, you will find that if you move the shifter past detent you will begin to feel the fluid friction of the gears through the shifter and when they are synchronized. At that instant you can then simultaneously depress the clutch and shift gears in silence.

Downshifting takes more practice and requires revving the motor in double clutch mode. Except on hills you don't need to down shift your car until it is near bicycle speed.

Hope this helps.