Driving with a KC Warford

[KellyJons]

Hi folks, I wonder if one of you that owns a Model T with a KC Warford transmission would give me a description of what it’s like to drive that car. I’m still trying to get my head around how it works.

What I’d like to know are the steps you go through to get from T low and Warford low to T high and overdrive. And can you really shift the KC Warford gearbox from gear to gear without any sort of clutching?

I grew up double clutching three speed gear boxes and can’t quite understand how it works with the Model T Ford planetary transmission and this auxiliary transmission.

If you would rather provide a link to a description of this or a video of it being done, that would be great, too!

Thanks,

Kelly

[mtntee20]

Kelly,

Here is a video that might help you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxgAWCWg6Z8 I just searched YouTube for Warford. There are a lot of videos NOT for Warford transmission, so you have to choose what video you want t watch. With your truck driving experience, you'll get this very easily. Same process for the 3 speed Warfords.

Good Luck,

[Daisy Mae]

Here's a picture of the operating instructions from an original brochure for the Warford hvy duty 6 speed (3sp tranny).for the TT, but basic operating principles would be the same for the car...

[Ron Osburn]

Kelly , I have a updated KC warford transmission in my 1927 Coupe . Bought it in 2023 from John Layne . In my talks with John he indicated you can shift without using the clutch . I will admit I was a bit sceptical about that . Boy ,was I wrong . It shifts easily without clutching it .
A joy to drive the coupe with this transmission.

[Daisy Mae]

Just to clarify though, shifting capabilities for a new Layne unit are due to modern design elements, that aren't applicable to an original Warford. Question for Kelly then would be, which type do you own?

[KellyJons]

My question is specifically about driving with the modern KC Warford. Don’t have one yet but giving it some serious thought.

Ron, your post is just what I wanted to hear. I’d love to have one of these transmissions in a ‘27 T Coupe!

Kelly

[Dennis Prince]

I have a KC Warford in my 26 roadster and the only issues that I a know of are with the shifter, in it original form a friend hit the shifter with his leg and knocked it into neutral and the car ended up on its top (yes it had rocky mountain brakes). I ended up with the car and put the trans in my car, I shortened the shifter and that got it out of the way and shortened shifter throw and that makes it easier to accidentally go from direct to low when you are trying to go to overdrive and it will go right into low. It is easier to shift if you have a foot throttle. Other than that I love it. I included a picture of the modified shifter.

[Erik Barrett]

With the KC Warford all you have to do is decide what gear you want it in and stab the lever into that gear. Care must be taken not to jab it into low at high speed because the KC doesn’t care what is going on in front or behind it. It’s going into whatever gear you select. Clutch, no clutch, any speed, it doesn’t care.

[Allan]

I extended the change lever 6" and angled it back at the top to my knee on my 1917 shooting brake. This put the knob right next to my knee. With a hand on my knee and two fingers around the knob, I can make changes almost imperceptible to passengers sitting beside me. A foot throttle makes it much easier. Matching the engine speed to the road/gear speed makes for smooth changes. As Eric said, the KC Warford will go into gear without the clutch, but matching revs/road speed makes for smoother driving.
I take off with Ford low and Warford low, let the Ford gear into top next and then Warford 2nd gear, [Standard Ford high ratio] I can only use the Warford overdrive in favourable conditions out on the open road. I love the thing!

Allan from down under.

[John.Zibell]

Shifting the Warford is more like using a two speed truck axle. If you unload the drive train it shifts easily. Key is to match engine speed to road speed for the range you want to go to. This requires a bid of throttle and shifter coordination. I find I occasionally need to "clutch" in some situations but not often.

[RajoRacer]

The KC Warford is a "constant mesh" transmission - like Erik stated - doesn't matter - just shift it ! Nothing like an original fellas !

[got10carz]

I have a Layne Warford in my speedster with a 3.23 rear gear. I almost always start in Warford low, engaged low pedal, accelerate, shift into T high. Then as traffic and road dictates, shift the Warford. You can shift without clutching, but I usually tap the clutch pedal. Hope this helps. Steve

[Craig Leach]

Hi Kelly,
I have a Muncie in my firetruck & almost never use the clutch except to start & stop. Howard G. taught me to use reverse pedal to engage a gear
@ a stop works good. The real secret is a foot
throttle makes it much easier.
Craig.

[KellyJons]

Thanks, everyone, for the terrific replies, this has been very helpful. Sounds like a KC Warford and a foot throttle are a winning combination!

Kelly

[SurfCityGene]

Kelly, You don't need a foot throttle especially with the new Warfords. They don't even require any clutching! Part of the driving experience of a Model T is the Hand Throttle!! Next thing you know you'll want to get a dimmer switch on the floor LOL

Drive Safe and Often

Gene

[Shrshot]

Does anyone know if the foot throttle that Texas T Parts use to sell is still available? Thanks in advance.

[Allan]

Kent, the LHD Tudor sedan I bought in USA came with a Texas T parts foot throttle. What a complicated piece of geegawry it was. Whoever fitted it made a real mess of the floorboards so I made new replacements, and got rid of the foot feed at the same time. There was no Ruckstell or accessory gearbox on the car so it was a superfluous complication.

Whilst a KC Warford will change without using the clutch or feathering the throttle, matching the engine speed to road speed makes for smoother driving, and this is easier to do with a foot throttle. On two of my T's, one with a Ruckstell and one with a KC Warford, I have a little accessory device on the carburetors which allows the use of a foot throttle and the hand throttle. I normally use the foot throttle to get under way and once motoring, set the hand throttle, more like a cruise control.

Allan from down under.