Re: Shifting the SM465
You shouldn't really have to force anything, but it does take time to find the new gear and get everything settled, so driving an SM465 is kind of a casual, zen-like thing. I take my time and am used to it so I don't usually have any problems, but I do still have to "encourage" it every once in a while to get into gear. I don't think you can really hurt anything on it so don't be afraid to use a little force. Of course, if you really have problems something might be broken or misadjusted, etc.
If you've driven it you've probably already figured this out, but for normal street driving you can start out in 2nd. Granny low is only for towing, big loads, real tough work, etc.
Also, granny 1st and reverse are not synchronised gears so you have to be at a dead stop to shift into either one of those. Both of those gears are so low that I just lift my foot off the clutch at idle and the truck starts to move. If I give it any gas at all starting in 1st or reverse my truck will buck and jump.
And if you have any forward momentum at all and need to downshift (for going around a turn, etc.) don't even try going into 2nd; third gear is all you need to drop into. You can almost start from a dead stop in 3rd, so unless I'm just creeping along I only use 3rd and 4th.
The SM465 is a great truck transmission and never lets you forget you're in a real truck, so like j ripper said just get out and drive.
Hope that helps! Have fun!
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Curt
1970 C/10, 250 L6 with Rochester BV carb, SM465 4 speed, 3.73 open rear
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