I sometimes drive up to 4th without using the clutch. Was doing it the other day when a friend in the car noticed and told me it ruined the gearbox doing it. Is this true? I thought if you get the revs right and get it in without crunching it doesn't hurt the gearbox. Should I stop doing it?

Eeeerr my only question is why not use the clutch??? that's what it's there for?

I am pretty sure by not using the clutch all you are doing is relying on the synchros to change gears for you. Engine out, gearbox strip down type fix...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Got it in one 68Delux the difference in revs and load that you would have absorbed using the clutch is now absorbed using the syncros not good news if you want your gearbox to last a while before it needs a rebuild.

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

Yes it's possible, even I do it in an emergency (when clutch cylinder stuffed) but as Chong says, it will wear the crap out of the synchros. It is NOT a Holinger dogbox...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Wow I got something right for once!

I have seen these synchros and they are not what you would call performance items

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Reason is laziness and bad habits.. I picked it up from not doing it when riding bikes.. I used to slam them right up the gears with out the clutch.. haha much easier on a bike..
I was always told it didn't wear the gearbox, cause as you suddenly back off the throttle it takes all the load off the transmission.. slip it in neutral, pick up revs then slot into next gear.. so there is no huge load being put on the syncros? if you get it wrong then you grate the crap out of your gears, which is obviously bad. But if it doesn't grate and gets in nicely each time wheres the harm being done?

Motorbikes typically don't have synchros AFAIK but use a drive dog arrangement think of some lugs that when the gear gets slid over connect with the gear next to it.

Motorbikes also weigh alot less so I am guessing the strain put on the gearbox from the change in speed is a lot less.

Synchos are there to stop the grating in a cars gearbox so even if you don't match the gears up the synchro takes the difference in revs out for you It is still possible to beat the synchros with bad shifts

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

Yes bikes are all dogboxes so you can slam them thru, it's helped by the fact the ratios are far closer together than a car. So relative gear speeds are closer.
I'll just say don't expect long life from your Mini gearbox...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Ah ok, no more not using clutch then for me! I'll have to stop being lazy, i'd rather it last longer.

i agree in a syncro car use clutch
but i sometimes do it when i feel lazy
when i drive the truck u hardly use the clutch only to take of but it has a crash box and could not be buggerd double shuffling envery gear
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

Hi anyone,

I am new to AUSMINI as I bought a 78 clubman three weeks ago. I am having a problem when try to swift from 3rd gear to 2nd gear. I couldn't get into the 2nd. Someone told me to do the double cluth. Does anyone know the problem is?

Thansk

Hi Inno
I dont have an authoritive answer but I do know that if I try to change down in my rod change mini it will crunch every time unless I blip the throttle as I change down. This is not racing stuff just ordinary driving.

I did buy a Paddy Hopkirk accelerator pedal extension and this makes it very much easier to blip the throttle with the side of ther right foot while you brake. The left one is clutching.

Maybe this is common thing with minis

Doesn't this usually mean that the synchro is on it's way out

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

probably - but the car is my toy and stable marital relations coming up to a new house and christmas say I cannot spend money on it.

It works and its still fun to drive even if i do have to blip blip on a down change

It's a good habit to get into anyway but one I haven't really mastered yet

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Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss