I have heard that the later model PA as well as the PB had a higher geared second gear ratio than the earlier models, enabling the car to reach a higher speed in second gear before shifting int high gear.
Is there any truth to this rumour?
Dave Eddie
That may or may not be true, I can't lay my hands on a specification sheet for that at the moment. The book I did find shows the Q, U, and 30-U use a sliding spur gear while the PA and newer are constant mesh with sliding clutch so the PA and newer are likely easier to shift. Note that while the PA and up use a sliding clutch that clutch was a "dog clutch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_clutch)" without synchronizers so double clutching was still needed, just easier to do. Plymouth did not get synchros until the 1935 PJ.
Edit: PA was the beginning of "floating power" so the engine and maybe the transmission mounts will be quite different between the 30-U and the PA.
Thanks, yes I am aware of the dog clutch, I've read in the sales info back in the day for the new PA that there was no need to double clutch,...which is not quite true.
Part of the different ratio story was that a 31PA was my grandparents daily driver from 1936 unit 1948 when Grandpa bought a new Plymouth, the PA became the property of my uncle.
Being a young fella he was interested in going fast. One of the PA stories he told was that this particular PA would go 70 mph in high but it would go close to 60 in second gear.
He often used to relate that the PA would beat a 34 Ford from a stop light until it reached about 55 then the Ford would pull ahead.
I am quite sure my PA might go 70 in high but not anywhere near 60 in high.
Sounds like I need to source a couple of parts books for these models.
Dave Eddie