Thread: Ratchet Shifters

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I run a full manual reverse vb th400 on the street, not many sticks will handle 1000hp and 900 tq, no different than having a 3 speed except no clutch to fool with...Dennis

I have used them in cars and a couple big 4X4's which were ok.
But to me for a fast clean shift I would not run a ratchet shifter.
I think the sloted shifters or push button sifters are faster in a pinch.
I had a B & M spring loaded shifter years ago that I loved all you did was pull
the shifter straite back then push it forward then pull it back again and you
just went thru all your gears. Then it had a lock out for revers, now that was a shifter.
Of course I am talking about auto verses manual, but to me with the ratchet you pull it back or push it forward then there was a hesitation where it would then spring back then lock in to the gear. Just seamed to take to long for the spring back to me.
Kurt

I knew a guy years ago that had a 68 Camaro with a Turbo 350, B&M shift kit and a B&M ratchet shifter. Thing ran like a scalded ape and the shifts were as solid as a manual trans.

Oh I ain't saying that they can't shift solid thats more trany then shifter.
I am just saying how long it takes to engage at each shift.

Your right about that. I guess a really good trans and a well adjusted stock type floor shifter would be just as good.

edit:
Although with a ratchet shifter you would not have to worry about accidentally shifting from 1st to neutral. It would only go from 1st to 2nd.

Vara4, according to your previous post, if I am reading it correctly, did you say that you had a 4-5 speed and you had a B&M shifter that all you had to do was move the shifter back and forth, not up/down and over to change gears? Do you remember which shifter that was?

i had a mopar 727 torque flight trans, transco shift kit, B&M ratchet shifter.
to go from park to low gear you had to hit the shifter 5 times. on a down shift it would shift to the gear you selected and stay in that gear no mater how fast you were going. on up shift, if in drive it will shift when the trans was ready

the problem was
if you did a down shift you had to be on the throttle, the throttle linkage moves the lever on the trans to supply pressure in the valve body to the bands. no pressure to the bands means it will slip and soon you will have a burnt trans.

some transmission's run off vacuum or electronic. the main thing is you need pressure on the bands and clutch's to get a solid shift.

I hav a 1970 ford maverick with 302 motor and mani. Transmission. Want to convert auto ratchet shifter to run with it. How?

Originally Posted by Triple G

I hav a 1970 ford maverick with 302 motor and mani. Transmission. Want to convert auto ratchet shifter to run with it. How?

First, welcome to the club! What are the plans for the Maverick? Have you looked at many shifters? What's you're goal? To say "how" there's more info needed.
Like why? Are you just after an auto transmission or is the current tranny broken or tired?