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Sun Oct 19, 2003 2:55 pm

The tranny on my 68 Squareback shifts smooth from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th. But downshifting is another story. Can't seem to pull off a smooth downshift no matter what I try (even double clutching which doesn't make sense with a cable actuator). From 3rd to 2nd to 1st I really have slow down, in fact I have to be practically stopped for the 2nd to 1st.

Is there is adjustment for this, or is this just the nature of the beast?

I have already adjusted the cable at the tranny. ](*,)

Sun Oct 19, 2003 7:27 pm

I don't know about the other speeds, but I do know that to go from 2nd to 1st I have to be nearly at a stop. I've experienced that with every manual shift car I've owned.

Sun Oct 19, 2003 9:38 pm

You just need to downshift at a slower speed if it is shifting smoothly and doesn't pop out of gear when decelerating. Takes a while to get used to at first.

Sun Oct 19, 2003 10:17 pm

It grinds or just doesn't want to go into gear?

My car is hard to put into first unless I am going really slow but I think that's a good thing

Mon Oct 20, 2003 7:08 am

EverettB wrote: It grinds or just doesn't want to go into gear?

I don't know if I would call it a grind. It does not just fall in but takes a little persuading with a very slight or short grind(?). It does not pop out of any gear when decelerating so I guess everything is okay.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't hurting the tranny. But I don't think it is. My 56 Type 1 probably did the same thing, just been so long I can't remember.

Mon Oct 20, 2003 8:44 am

If the idle is set too high you will have a harder time downshifting. Might want to check that and the clutch freeplay (1/8" at the pedal) too.

Mon Oct 20, 2003 8:52 am

timgud wrote: If the idle is set too high you will have a harder time downshifting. Might want to check that and the clutch freeplay (1/8" at the pedal) too.

The idle is set high. I assumed the previous owner set it high because the auto chokes on both carbs have been removed. I have been hesitant to drop the idle down because of the dual carbs. How do I ensure that I set them both down equally?

I know that it will downshift easier if I can get that done.