View Single Post
  #15  
Old 10-01-2008, 02:35 AM
chetwesley's Avatar
chetwesley chetwesley is offline
Incompetent Loser
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 745
So I got my new primer pump delivered from fastlane today and SHAZAM! It runs, and stays running! Thanks everyone for your advice on what was wrong.

I have two questions about the manual trans.

1. What approximately are the speeds you should shift at? (no tach). It felt like I was revving high in each gear, but not really going that fast. I felt like I should be shifting into 4th at 25MPH already.

2. Is it just me, or is the "sweet spot" for going into 1st from a dead stop very narrow? I have only driven one other stickshift car before (early 90's toyota), but had no trouble getting going from a stop, or shifting through the gears in any way, for that matter.

I stalled the car many times attempting to pull out of my spot in the driveway for the first time. Either it seemed I was revving too high or too low. I have no tach, so I don't know what RPMs I was at. Even when I did get it going, it was always with a lot of bucking. Am I letting out the clutch too fast, or missing the point where it is catching?

Any tips on that? What RPM would the engine typically be at as the clutch is first catching from a dead stop, how much accelerator are you applying? Yes, I am essentially admitting I don't know how to drive stick. I have done it before, but this car confuses me...

Anyway, it was fun to get it out on the road. I am glad no one called the cops on me as I was stalled at the stop sign in front of their house trying to get the car to move . I don't have it registered yet!
__________________
1979 240D w/4 Speed Manual, Light Blue Estimated 225-275K Miles - "Lil' Chugs"
Sold but fondly remembered: 1981 300TD Turbo Tan 235K miles, 1983 300SD Astral Silver 224K miles


Last edited by chetwesley; 10-01-2008 at 03:51 AM.
Reply With Quote