Date: 4 Dec 2001 18:00:37 -0800 From: johsnopsamanytime.co.uk (Johannes H Andersen) Subject: Re: Freewheeling
philcyclesnopsamcom (Phil Brown) wrote in message news:<20011121142505.07903.00000730nopsamk.aol.com>... > Freewheeling was a pretty common feature before the 60s. Rovers used it as did > Studebaker. There were others as well. It allowed clutchless gearchanges. > Phil Brown Many years ago I had a FIAT 132 1800, this is not a small car, it is about the size of a Saab 900. One day the clutch cable snatched, but I managed to carry on my journey, although this is not recommended. How? With the engine running and the gear in neutral, I pushed the car along from the drivers door frame to gain momentum, then I jumped in (car still rolling) and engaged second or third. Gear changing was not difficult once you got used to finding the right RPM. For stopping at a junction I engaged neutral. Stopping was of course a pain, especially if it was uphill ahead, so I tried to adjust my journey to the green lights. I should say that the car had already seen its best days, so I was not overly concerned. Also, I was a lot younger and sillier (I think). Johannes