I have an auto stick in my '72 and I think it is great. They can be a real bear to fix because of the elec. controls and vacuum system. There is also a torque converter, pump,hydraulic lines, vacuum can, and a servo which works the clutch. Yes it does have a clutch. If anything goes wrong with that stuff, wow!!
On the other hand the auto stick is very forgiving when compared to a 4 speed. It has 3 speeds; low which you really don't use at all, 1st which you can(but don't have to) start out in, and of course 2nd. Mostly you only have to shift between 1st and 2nd. The nice thing is that when going around corners you will not have to down shift like you do with a 4 spd, 4th to 2nd and then shift up 3rd to 4th. So it's like any other automatic transmission thanks to the torque converter. I said forgiving because you can leave the transmission in 2nd and drive around all day without having to shift at all. Only problem with that is the jack rabbit start people will be right on your bumper. Screw em' let em pass. In city driving, going from light to light I leave it in 2nd. And if I am too lazy to shift back to first of don't want to be bothered mashing thru the gears I leave it in 2nd.
So with the auto stick you can have the best of both worlds, leave the trans in 2nd all day or mash thru the 2 gears.
If you are looking at an auto stick I would suggest you check the transmission fluid. It should be pink to red and very clean. If dirty or smells burnt walk away, the torque converter is probably shot or needs work.
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Topic: Auto stick (Read 11542 times)