My Studebaker was an original 4-speed car, so I'm leaving that as is. But unless I'm building a 1930's rod where I would use a T5, I'd probably put an automatic in the next car.
Much easier, than engineering a clutch linkage in some cases...... Said the 3 spped owner..... 4TTRUK
And look what most drag racing has become,bracket racing with all sorts of pre programmed devices to make it consistent. No more controlling wheelspin with clutch and throttle,no more making several well timed manual gear changes with the treat of a missed shift.Spectator boredom...in my opinion
I just had this problem (What to do) so I went with the 4 speed.I got a model a channeled 3 inches used the stock pedals had to cut them up and reweld them.Trimed them up and used a 60 model chevy truck master clyinder and bought the hyd throwout bearing for the 4 speed from speedway.And it only ran about 150 bucks to do.And I got a size 12d foot and can drive it just fine.The hyd throwout bearing make the clutch move with ease.Well alot more easier than the ole srping setup.Any way its your car build it how you want as long as its out on the road thats what matters to me.
I've had two sixties dodge trucks. One was a compound low 4 speed -318 setup, I drove it for 2 years in bumper to bumper traffic 30 miles each way. It did get a little old. My current little '63 has a slant six with a torqueflite. I do like having the other free hand and it's nice in traffic but sometimes I wish it was a manual so I could wring more power out of the slant. I guess it's a trade off, but i think the only reason I want to keep it auto is the difficulty getting the right clutch. The one's for pre '68's are only available from some place in PA for like 239.00 plus shipping. And for that I could try my luck on a few different junkyard 727's on half day. But out of curosity? Anyone got an A745 3 speed laying around?
No rule against shifting, if you want to! Lots of guys run sticks, buy automatics automatics are way more consistent.
In '64 I built a '55 Chevy Gasser with a 392 Hemi that I took out of a '57 Chrysler It had a Torqueflite that I took to Art Carr.Blue Printed the Hemi and put the car together for the street and weekend drags. It generally turned in the 11's around 120 mph in the quarter. But I hated the push button drive. As soon as I could put the money together I bought a cast iron New Process 4 speed at Reath Automotive in Long Beach, Transdapt bellhousing,scattershield and double hydraulic pedal setup. I have bult many rides since those early days (I was 17) But last year when I built a '50 shoebox for my wife I broke down and insalled the first slushomatic I've used since that first build and it's been the biggest pain in the ass I've had to deal with in years. My OT dually 5speed/ Chevy custom Richmond 6 spd/ Testarossa 5speed/ '35 Chevy RPU NP440 4spd/ 71 Mach1 convert. 4spd. I like to shift and thats my story and I'm sticking to it!!!! BUCKD
Well i run a c4 in my rod, but thats because i ruined my knee in a motorcycle accident. Though my next one is going to be a manual, uncomfortable or not, i like the control and feel of a manual.
Built the engine, building the car,could not decide on what to do with it, race car or street car, don't want a street rod. Engine 450 hp, trans th350,3000 stall,tires will make the decision for me. Slicks or treads.
justify it however makes you sleep better at night guys, But bottom line is automatics still suck in my book!!.....and as long as I am able to press a clutch and shift gears I will never run one. Automatics came out so grandma could drive herself to sunday school. I can see where someone who may be older or has some type of handicap could justify running a automatic, But as for the rest of you Plain and simple "drop your purse and get a stick"......LOL
my a had a 4 speed in it and with the body section causing very little leg room it was the smart thing to do changing to the auto was a mish with a pie in on hand a coke in the other trying to get across traffic leaving the gas station the change had to be made
As for the ones who say that automatics are faster, try telling that to the Ozark Mountain Super Shifters. Perfect shifting is a skill that any real racer should want to learn, If all you want to do is go straight really fast without using any skills, ride a roller coaster.....
Like most people have said...it's just easier. Sitting for 2 hours trying to go 8 blocks in New York traffic made me loathe my 5 speed...and thats my DD. If it's any matter...my auto is a reverse manual valve body.......
I love how people have such passionate opinions about how someone else decides to set up their jalopy. As if the opinion holder's opinion meant F'n thing to the car owner. HA!!
My 50' Ford Sedan came with a 200 cu in I-6 and 3 speed auto because that's just what the previous owner just happened to have laying around when the original engine blew. I'd guess for a lot of low budget rodders like myself that's what it comes down to whats cheap and on hand.
As long as my knees hold up, no automatics for me. Sticks get the chicks. Yeah, the extra linkage is hard work to fabricate.....took me all of 6 hours on Saturday. Big whoop.
Ha there will more likely be and NOS left knee before there are new motor neurons. If they had told me when i was young that polio got a second shot at you when you got old I would have made sure that I didn't manage to get the pistol away from at least one of the other fellas. Not necessarily the case on my part but some of you fellas should have listened to Sam Clemens, "If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself."
Aside from all the aforementioned reasons..you can bet a lot of them are in there so the ol' lady can drive the car...you guys with wives, you know what I'm talking about...lol
Interesting to read through most of the comments... I drive a Truck for a living. My F/T job is a stick(6 spd Freightliner),my P/T job has Auto's and Stick Tractors. There's something REALLY wrong with an Auto in a Truck pulling a 53' trailer.... I have no choice in the Trans my Tbird has...COM Auto is the only one that was offered. The next car I get will definitely have a stick. You have to learn to "Speed Shift" or Float Gears to save your Knee and Hip...
It s funny ... In Europe, where I come from,we learn to drive with sticks, everybody drive them , and we do without even thinking about it. It s reflex. Modern clutch are easy to use, ladies and old guys can drive them too. In fact, quite the only ppl driving an auto are those with a physical handicap. Most of the cars having a clutch, an auto is often an expensive option.
Trying to figure out how to make a clutch work in my truck. Chopped 5" and channeled 3". I am 6' 1". Its already tight as it is, but I think i can... My daily driver is a stick and so is my flatbed. I love em!
oh you can find a muncie EASY for 400 bucks, you just have to look.... Craigslist is a good place to start, hell Ive seen them on the HAMB for that. Swap meets are good too. Shit, I bought one for $50 two years ago off c-list. Granted that was a crazy good deal, but there out there
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