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popping the clutch in reverse.

FU64RY

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Can you do this and start the engine?
 
Make sure you got some runway with nothing behind you!!
 
Starting a car in reverse may put more strain on the transmission and clutch that a forward gear like 2nd gear will not. Yes you can start it in reverse.
 
A little off the subject, but maybe not all people know that the early cable-shift (pushbutton) TorqueFlights can be towed to start. This is because these transmissions have a rear oil pump that can be driven by the drive shaft when towed. 1966 and up do not have this feature. Tow to 10 or 15 mph., and with key on, place transmission selector in LOW.
 
It's a good way to clean the clutch disc. Back up to a tree and start it in reverse.


A guy told me that when I was 17. I finally figured it out.
 
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Can you do this and start the engine?
I know that a car can start if in reverse and the key is turned, especially if it has a low rear end gear. I worked in a gas station in the mid 60's that had a wash bay. A friend had a beautiful '67 SS396 Chevelle that he used to come in and wash. Since it had wide Goodyear white letter tires, he could not get a scrub brush between the rear tires and the quarter panel. So he would scrub part of the tire then reach in and tap the ignition key while in reverse and the car would jump back just enough so he could clean the other white letters.

All was good until he had the 4:56 gears installed in the rear. The first time he washed the car after the gear change, he tapped the key and the car started and went back through the closed wash bay door. The door was wood, about 2" thick and the car stalled after the door was half way up the trunk lid. Needless to say, neither he or the gas station owner was happy.

Gear ratio matters.
 
A little off the subject, but maybe not all people know that the early cable-shift (pushbutton) TorqueFlights can be towed to start. This is because these transmissions have a rear oil pump that can be driven by the drive shaft when towed. 1966 and up do not have this feature. Tow to 10 or 15 mph., and with key on, place transmission selector in LOW.

I did that with my '64 when I was 18. I had read you could do this in the owners manual.

Was out late one night and I somehow left the interior lights on. Came back a few hours later to a dead battery. Had a couple of my friends push me to the top of a hill, jumped in, placed the shifter in low. Watched the speedometer and just about 15 mph it was like popping the clutch. Fired that 383 right up! Only time I ever did that.
 
A little off the subject, but maybe not all people know that the early cable-shift (pushbutton) TorqueFlights can be towed to start. This is because these transmissions have a rear oil pump that can be driven by the drive shaft when towed. 1966 and up do not have this feature. Tow to 10 or 15 mph., and with key on, place transmission selector in LOW.

Older Chebby's with power glides could be started like this as well
If any one cares LOL
 
Im pretty sure I started my Charger with 318 auto by towing it up to speed.
Long time and lot of brain cells ago.
 
popping the clutch in reverse.

Lol, topic title reminds me of this....
Late '70s, just out of HS, I found out what happens with a '43 Willys. It had no rear floor left, got it cheap. In my driveway screwing around learning what the shifters do.
Stuck it in reverse, revved it up and popped the clutch. It pulled rear wheels off the ground and about threw me over the steering wheel. :steering:
 
A little off the subject, but maybe not all people know that the early cable-shift (pushbutton) TorqueFlights can be towed to start. This is because these transmissions have a rear oil pump that can be driven by the drive shaft when towed. 1966 and up do not have this feature. Tow to 10 or 15 mph., and with key on, place transmission selector in LOW.
'65 and up..... '64 was the last year for the rear pump.
 
My 63 Belvedere will push start but put on your seat belt if it came with one or death grip the wheel as its quite a jolt when it catches gear.
 
'65 and up..... '64 was the last year for the rear pump.
'65's still had a rear pump. Even though they took a slip yoke drive shaft and most were column shifted, they still had shift cables.
 
'65's still had a rear pump. Even though they took a slip yoke drive shaft and most were column shifted, they still had shift cables.
Damn! You're right. Checked the manual.
 
I did that with my '64 when I was 18. I had read you could do this in the owners manual.

Was out late one night and I somehow left the interior lights on. Came back a few hours later to a dead battery. Had a couple of my friends push me to the top of a hill, jumped in, placed the shifter in low. Watched the speedometer and just about 15 mph it was like popping the clutch. Fired that 383 right up! Only time I ever did that.
AND the owners manual was probably about 50 or less pages! They figured you had common sense.
 
Can be a little thrill if the fast idle on the choke is stuck.

Accelerated pretty quick before I shut it off again.
 
Make sure your rear spring u-bolts and engine/Transmission mounts are in good shape. It will send a directional shock that was not designed to address. (But if just starting? You should have no problem. But if attempting some sort of reverse burnout/launch? Would not recommend.)
 
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