Stick shift starting points

ohiocamarodave · 10-18-2016, 03:07 AM

Couple questions for stick shift guys. 55 Chevy wagon 500 HP 350, 5.14 rear, 2.78 low gear 5 speed Liberty, 29.5 x10.5 stiff sidewall Mickeys, weight 3570, Hyatt /Ram single disc clutch 250 base pressure.
Looking for launch RPM and starting point for tire pressure suggestions. 1st time out this week.
Thanks for the help.

Dwight Southerland · 10-18-2016, 06:37 AM

Any idea on the power or torque curves? Without that, it's completely trial and error. Start at 6000 rpm. If it bogs, jack it up. If it spins the tires, work on the car or lower the rpm.

bigfoot584 · 10-18-2016, 06:42 AM

Here's a post that maybe of some help.

http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...ght=bigfoot584

Bunkster · 10-18-2016, 08:04 AM

Would this car happen to be orange?

Sean Marconette · 10-18-2016, 08:20 AM

If the clutch has not been seated and brand new you need to follow Hyatts instructions. By cranking in X turns of base for the first pass and then backing it down until it slides in high gear. So do not go out and try to set the world on fire with the first few passes until this has been done.

A torque and HP from a dyno speeds up the learning curve substantially. Without it you do not know where the engine is happy. As for air pressure on my 29.5x9 MT I run 13 psi but my car is substantially lighter than yours, so that might be a place to start. Your 1st gear is not going to be very favorable either with getting the car moving. I am with Dwight on starting at 6000. Also does your clutch have Hyatts billet levers or the standard Ram levers, and are they CW levers?

Good luck and wagons are too cool!!

Sean

ohiocamarodave · 10-19-2016, 05:44 AM

Yes the car is orange.
I did not get any instructions from Hyatt because Tim passed while the clutch was in their shop. It has their billet levers and no weights on the levers. How much should we crank into the base pressure to start?
I have a 2.98 low gear but ran out of time to install.
Thanks for the help.

Sean Marconette · 10-19-2016, 12:14 PM

Do you have the build sheet? It should give the critical dimensions and how many turns equal plate pressure. It's good that you have the billet levers otherwise the Ram levers have too much built in CW. Start out with no CW and get the clutch seated. Then you can see what base adjustment and if CW is needed. If you do not have a Ram CW hardware kit, it is a good investment. All of the hardware is equal in weight with steel and aluminum fasteners. Then all you need is a cheap digital scale. Do you have provisions to adjust the base in your bellhousing and to access the CW levers to add weight? I have the instructions and can send them to you. Send me your email in a PM and I will get what I have to you.

Sean

10-18-2016, 03:07 AM	#1
ohiocamarodave Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 27 Likes: 2 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Stick shift starting points Couple questions for stick shift guys. 55 Chevy wagon 500 HP 350, 5.14 rear, 2.78 low gear 5 speed Liberty, 29.5 x10.5 stiff sidewall Mickeys, weight 3570, Hyatt /Ram single disc clutch 250 base pressure. Looking for launch RPM and starting point for tire pressure suggestions. 1st time out this week. Thanks for the help.

10-18-2016, 06:37 AM	#2
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,980 Likes: 52 Liked 724 Times in 177 Posts	Re: Stick shift starting points Any idea on the power or torque curves? Without that, it's completely trial and error. Start at 6000 rpm. If it bogs, jack it up. If it spins the tires, work on the car or lower the rpm. __________________

10-18-2016, 06:42 AM	#3
bigfoot584 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Stick shift starting points Here's a post that maybe of some help. http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...ght=bigfoot584

10-18-2016, 08:04 AM	#4
Bunkster Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 307 Likes: 0 Liked 43 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Stick shift starting points Would this car happen to be orange?

10-18-2016, 08:20 AM	#5
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 958 Likes: 617 Liked 165 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Stick shift starting points If the clutch has not been seated and brand new you need to follow Hyatts instructions. By cranking in X turns of base for the first pass and then backing it down until it slides in high gear. So do not go out and try to set the world on fire with the first few passes until this has been done. A torque and HP from a dyno speeds up the learning curve substantially. Without it you do not know where the engine is happy. As for air pressure on my 29.5x9 MT I run 13 psi but my car is substantially lighter than yours, so that might be a place to start. Your 1st gear is not going to be very favorable either with getting the car moving. I am with Dwight on starting at 6000. Also does your clutch have Hyatts billet levers or the standard Ram levers, and are they CW levers? Good luck and wagons are too cool!! Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

10-19-2016, 05:44 AM	#6
ohiocamarodave Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 27 Likes: 2 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Stick shift starting points Yes the car is orange. I did not get any instructions from Hyatt because Tim passed while the clutch was in their shop. It has their billet levers and no weights on the levers. How much should we crank into the base pressure to start? I have a 2.98 low gear but ran out of time to install. Thanks for the help.

10-19-2016, 12:14 PM	#7
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 958 Likes: 617 Liked 165 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Stick shift starting points Do you have the build sheet? It should give the critical dimensions and how many turns equal plate pressure. It's good that you have the billet levers otherwise the Ram levers have too much built in CW. Start out with no CW and get the clutch seated. Then you can see what base adjustment and if CW is needed. If you do not have a Ram CW hardware kit, it is a good investment. All of the hardware is equal in weight with steel and aluminum fasteners. Then all you need is a cheap digital scale. Do you have provisions to adjust the base in your bellhousing and to access the CW levers to add weight? I have the instructions and can send them to you. Send me your email in a PM and I will get what I have to you. Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N