Fluid Drive Question....

[Spitfire1776]

....okay I'm confused. I've been operating under the direction that on a Fluid Drive Chrysler product (of the 49 variety) you simply start the vehicle in the neutral position. Then you proceed to choose low or high. And for all intents and purposes I thought this was right. However I just read an excerpt from a shop manual distributed in "49 for the Fluid Drive and it exp[lains differently. That indeed you need to start the vehicle in third(high) gear so the shift solenoid is powered, and the vehicle drives proper. I haven't had any problems thus far, but the seed of doubt has now been planted. And I would like to hear some second input. Am I doing bad, is the manual right, or was it just poorly wrtitten? Any input would be appreciated....

[MBL]

There are three forward gears....but only two will function using the auto shift. So what that means is...if you have the lever in the low range you will start in 1st and let off the gas and it will shift into second...but will not shift again into third....in order to get it into third...well you have to be driving in the high range...then you start in second and let off the gas to shift into third....also remember your idle has to be like way low for it to shift back down to begining gear...be it second or first. Does this make any sense?
Tim
MBL

[Paul]

read:

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/024/

I had a '52 Saratoga many years ago and had no info on it at all, it took a while to figure out..

sounds very similar.

Paul

[Spitfire1776]

Got the driving mechanics down, no problems there. My concern is in the ignition procedure. It states that when starting the car it should be in third(high). My instinct and experience tells me that the manual makes no logical sense. But I want to cover my bases.

[Spitfire1776]

[ QUOTE ]
read:

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/024/

I had a '52 Saratoga many years ago and had no info on it at all, it took a while to figure out..

sounds very similar.

Paul

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I got that manual, and it makes sense to me. I'll see if I can post the root of my concern.

[Spitfire1776]

Here it is....

[Spitfire1776]

Second page....

[Spitfire1776]

.

[MBL]

Sorry I misunderstood. Do you mean press the starter button when it is in third? I have always started a fluid drive in neutral. Never had a prob.
Tim
MBL

[Spitfire1776]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry I misunderstood. Do you mean press the starter button when it is in third? I have always started a fluid drive in neutral. Never had a prob.
Tim
MBL

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I think my brain is fried from work today..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[MBL]

That text definately raises some questions though. Hmmm?
Tim
MBL

[48_HEMI]

it might be easier to understand, if you get it right to start with.

fluid drive actually has four (4) gears forward. two in low range, two in high range.

for normal use, you leave it in high range. you do not need to use the clutch to start out in third gear. when you reach the speed that you want to shift to fourth, let your foot off the throttle for an instant and it shifts just like an overdrive on a standard trans for hills or grades or if you want more torque depress the clutch and move the shift lever straight up to the position that would be second gear in a stick shift and you have the two lower gears first and second that work just like the high range http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JamesG]

I had a 48 Desoto coupe that I trade away a couple of years ago and I always just push the clutch or put it in neutral and fired up. Then I would just shoft it like a reguler 3 on the tree. Those things were a bad idea, that's why it did'nt last. Plus there a ton of b.s. that goes along with keeping it up, like the fluid coupling and alway checking it. Sometimes I would leave it in any gear when I came to a stop, but it still took off like it was in 2nd or even 3rd. If I were you I would just act like its a regular old 3sp and forget the other mess! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[48_HEMI]

[ QUOTE ]
I had a 48 Desoto coupe and I always just push the clutch or put it in neutral and fired up. Then I would just shoft it like a reguler 3 on the tree. Those things were a bad idea, that's why it did'nt last.

[/ QUOTE ]

LO-DE-1
you were working way to hard. not only were they simple to drive and bullet proof cruiser(not a race set up)they never went away those old mopar six's and fluid drive are still being sold today in fork lifts and heavy equipment. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif chrysler used them from 41 to 54 thats a long time in dog years http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Paul]

this is bringing back faint memories..

mine had the torque converter that did not share oil with the motor, the carbon seal between the torque converter and clutch started leaking and soaked the clutch disc with oil.

I pulled the thing apart, seams like it came apart in three 200 pound pieces, lapped the carbon disc on a piece of glass with pollishing compound, put a new O ring in it, soaked the disc in brake cleaner and had it all back together in a weekend and it only cost me a couple bucks.

I drove it kinda like a two speed with an automatic overdrive.

put the clutch in, start it in 1 low, get going and lift the gas to get in 1 high

clutch again to 2 low and then lift the gas to 2 high..

mine was behind the 331 hemi, a heavy combo for sure but it kept up with traffic and went up hills like they weren't even there.

Paul