Gentlemen,
I made another attempt at starting and shifting my 41.
Unfortunately I did not read the many replies before my excursion, but will use the information next time. I did install a gas pedal and that made all of the difference in starting the truck using the heal-toe method. Using the starting sequence recommended by Jerry was spot on, thanks!
As for shifting through the gears, I tried going a little slower and less forceful, and it seems to have worked well. The process of depressing the clutch-shift to neutral/clutch shift to next gear is just sort of alien to me and I suppose it will take a little time to reprogram. It is like learning a new dance step. It is funny that I can jump from my newer automatic CVT car to my work truck 5 speed to my tractor hydrostat and never consciously think about how to shift any of them. I just need to add driving a non-synchronized gear box into my mental tool box.
I ran through all of the gears once without a single gear clash one time an thought I had down, only to miss 3rd gear on the next try. Practice, practice, practice. I found that shifting going downhill is much easier than uphill. I even started working on downshifting, but the quick timing needed to keep up RPM's is tough if climbing a hill.
Overall, there was a dramatic improvement but I would not claim proficiency yet. Is that a shameless justification to drive around in ones old truck project or what? I really need to get this project completed so it is inspected and highway legal, but just needed the morale boost of actually driving the truck versus just working on it for the last two years. So much to do, so little time...
Thanks for all of the great information, I appreciate your guidance.
Paul
