Ok, say you have a huge problem halfway down the track and need to throw the car in neutral FAST. How do you do that with a reverse manual valvebody and a pro-ratchet shifter? or is it even possible without dropping down through the gears and killing the trans?

 

Yes, that is a good question. Rather than having it PRN123, I wish it was 123NRP. Where 1st is at the top and park at the bottom.

 

i just throw it thru all the gears to nuetral real quick. no problems here. I do it on the highway every once in a while when i wanna coast to my exit.

 

So the chances of it actually going into gear fast enough are low enough to risk it?

 

Not sure but I think most RMVB's do not have a front band or downshift band (clutch, coast clutch, etc).
So once you throw it from third to second it will act like neutral (unless your foots to the floor and you're below redline it will accelerate.)
I've gone 110 and put my th400 in second and coasted with the engine idling.
BUT this is not good because the direct drum is not being held by a band and can spin fast enough to explode and come through the floor (if you're up there in mph).
It can also sling fluid off the intermediate sprag and burn it up.

 

Just kill the engine. Once you are in 2nd or even 3rd, you won't want to go back to 1st after putting it in neutral anyway ... plus the run is FUBARed.

 

I had to so this once already, luckily I had thought this same thing (just never asked) and learned that shifter can take a helluva slamming abuse and do it quick enough, no gear interaction!

 

Yup thats how i do it. slam it like theres no tomorrow.

 

I thought you aren't supposed to downshift with a reverse manual VB or you are risking major damage to the trans, and possibly hurting yourself when things fly out the trans case.

 

*Rut Roh!*