start in second?

[CHolmsten]

The first first gen I had was a 93 Gasser with the 360, and a nv4500. It would love to start in second. The truck I have now is a 93 diesel with the getrag and it hates to start in second, it does it but the whole truck shakes and it kinda lugs a little bit, and this is not towing just the truck. Is it supposed to be like that? The PO told me that it has a towing clutch in it, and that it "has no springs" not really sure what that means. Any thoughts on this? Maybe its the clutch? Anything I can do to fix this?

 

[rlyons]

It takes a little getting used to but it starts out in second just fine. The trick is to go ahead and let the clutch out fully before you give it the throttle. If I try to treat mine like a gasser and slip the clutch a little is jumps and shakes like mad. The owner's manual sayes to start out in second only unless you are under a heavy load. I always use second except when pulling my trailer and starting out on a hill. Don't be afraid to go ahead and dump the clutch, if your idle is set right it is hard to stall this engine due to the governor in the pump.

 

[ptmoore]

I have a 92 w/getrag and new foctory clutch. i hardly ever start in 1st gear. i just let the clutch out at idle and the engine rpm,s down a little as the truck takes off. i can make it jerk if i give toomuch fuel or let the clutch out too slow. if you have a racing/towing clutch it may have a solid center instead of a sprung center, if this is so the clutch will be either in or out and no slip, and will prob. chatter like crazy if you try to slip it. hope this helps

 

[WJune]

My first W 350 acted like yours. I learned how to take off in 2nd with little or no shake. As I recall... instead of easing clutch out, I let it out quick but at low engine speed. Towing, I took off in 1st.

When I pulled 13" clutch it was in good shape except loose hub. Also had hot spots on flywheel from last owners abuse. The W 350 I drive now, I have used both new 13" and new 12 1/4" with smooth 2nd gear take offs on both. Knock on wood !

 

[Steve Graham]

Cut..... The PO told me that it has a towing clutch in it, and that it "has no springs" not really sure what that means. Any thoughts on this? Maybe its the clutch? Anything I can do to fix this?

First thing you gotta do is ditch this clutch with out springs as the PO said it had and get a factory factory clutch put back in or something equal to it. The one thing you should do is replace the factory pilot bearing (solid) with a roller bearing.

Clutch disk with out springs are not for the street or towing but for racing, there very agressive.

At 178K I'm still on my orginal clutch but on my second pilot bearing and the second pilot bearing had gone bad too.

 

[CHolmsten]

Thanks for the fast responses, I am thinking that is what I should do as well, do to the factory clutch. I can get a roller pilot bearing through southbend? Basically you just take the flywheel to a machine shop and they make a bigger hole for the new bearing right? I guess the first step is to pop her open and see what is really in there.

 

[rlyons]

Thanks for the fast responses, I am thinking that is what I should do as well, do to the factory clutch. I can get a roller pilot bearing through southbend? Basically you just take the flywheel to a machine shop and they make a bigger hole for the new bearing right? I guess the first step is to pop her open and see what is really in there.

It doesn't matter what clutch you put in there it will shake and chatter after a little bit if you try to drive it like a gasser.

 

[CHolmsten]

This may sound like a stupid question but how are you supposed to drive it differently then a gasser? This is my first diesel 5 speed, the only other diesel truck I have had was a 01 Auto and as I am learing, there is quite a difference between the 24 valve autos and the 12 valve MT trucks. Thanks

 

[Steve Graham]

Thanks for the fast responses, I am thinking that is what I should do as well, do to the factory clutch. I can get a roller pilot bearing through southbend? Basically you just take the flywheel to a machine shop and they make a bigger hole for the new bearing right? I guess the first step is to pop her open and see what is really in there.

I not sure which bearing to use, but yes the flywheel will need some machinge work to fit the new bearing. If you can use a sealed ball bearing, there stock on all of the 4B I've seen.

 

[PToombs]

I drive mine like a big truck, (usually). If you can't take off at idle, you're in too high a gear. 2nd gear starts are the norm, unless I'm on a big hill or towing.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I use first pretty much all the time unless I'm rolling slightly... I will use 3rd down to about 10mph. unloaded w/ very light throttle obviously!

 

[rlyons]

The owners manual for these trucks tells you to never do a first gear start in normal driving, 1st is for heavy loads or low speed crawling type use. The way to start out in these trucks unlike a gasser is to let out the clutch at idle and then give it the fuel and go, keep it above about 1500 RPM at all times in each gear to prevent transmission damage.

 

[DValentine]

Rlyons, has it right... let the clutch out without throttle. The IP will take up the slack if fuel is needed to a point.

 

[Greenleaf]

ROFLMAO



You'll like this. My first time behind the wheel of a first gen diesel w/getrag:



I had just completed some pump mods and piston lift pump install if I recall. I had the owner test drive it and then I wanted a spin. I set her in first and gave a little throttle. I let the pedle return to the top and my body was thrown back against the rear window. So I shoved the pedle to the floor and my head hit the windshield.



:-{}



GL

 

[JLEONARD]

When I start off in 1st almost all heads turn toward the old blue beast. Something about turbo whine and all that clatter then it starts over again in about 2 seconds!! LOL!!!

 

[CHolmsten]

would the fact that I am running 305/70R16's with the 3. 54 gears have anything to do with this?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yes... I do it because of big injectors and a bigger turbo... a stock truck will scurry away in 2nd pretty good. Mine, even with 265's will black smoke the intersection unless I just grandma it up to 2000rpm...



starting off in 1st makes life so much easier (and sounds way cooler )

 

[Midnite]

I may be in the minority here, but replacing the clutch for the sole purpose of smooth 2nd gear starts sounds like an awful waste of money. The South Bend Con FE I put in my 2000 made me quit 2nd gear starts because it acts as you describe, but I don't mind it a bit because I know I've got a much stronger clutch than stock now.



I say start out in 1st and enjoy the peace of mind that you have a stronger clutch than factory, and move on.



Mike