Manually shifting an automatic transmission

[Kayvan]

My transmission was rebuilt by the Classic Center as part of a driveline restoration.

As expected, it shifts butter smooth thru all gears and and downshifts almost silently

I take my 250 SL on sunset drives in LA on Mulholland Dr that's famous for its rolling swtichback,
tight curves and elevation rises/dips.

I have found that it's easier to manually shift to 3 as I
brake for a turn so i can quickly accelerate out of the turn and hug curves and  then shift
to 4.

Often I have much more powerful XKEs, 911 RS,
Ferrari 250 SWB behind me as this route is famous, and I don't have time for kick down  or pedal modulation as it's intense braking / acceleration.

So is a dozen manual shifts between 3-4 excessive?

Fluid, filters all recent and solenoids, specs set to factory.

[RobSirg]

Cant answer that but would like to hear from others.

I do it all the time myself - the car seems to enjoy it. I even think the transmission works smoother in Automatic mode after I have done a lot of manual changes but that might just be my imagination. I don't know if my tranny was ever rebuilt but it seems to work fine. It was rough when I first imported it from the UK but over time it quickly improved.

Rob

[Garry]

I also do manual shifts a lot on a gear boxwill be due for a gear box overhaul in the next couple of years.  It works better in the manual mode than the auto for me.

[SIbby]

Garry

Who do you get to overhaul your auto gearbox?

I know that I live in Adelaide (800 km from Melbourne) but this should not be an obstacle

Sibby

1967 250SL

[Garry]

I will probably use Reinhard Klavers out at Baronia who did my engine rebuild.  I will also consider Classic Motors but will wait to see how they go getting my rear end out in the next month or so to fix some oil leeks.  If they do it ok and the price is right then I may use them but they have had some staffing probelms recently so a bit leaning toward Reinhard.

Garry

[Peter van Es]

During rallies, when I drive, I change manually also. When Karin drives, she leaves it in auto.

Peter

[ctaylor738]

I downshift to 3 all the time for corners and hills, depending on speed.  I have to with my 3.2 sedan rear end.

Also, I have the magic button in the front of my wood tray that drops the trans down a gear.  Very handy feature.

[ja17]

Hello Kayvan,

These transmissions were designed to be use the option of shifting manually. As long as the unit is healthy and serviced correctly, you will be fine.

Hello Sibby from Adelaide,

I ran "The Classic Adelaide Rally" in 2004 in a Mercedes 450SLC. Great roads, beautiful country and wonderful people!

Joe Alexander (ja17)
Blacklick, Ohio