Synchronizers let you shift gears using the clutch.
Overview
Synchro is two cones pressed together until the two shafts run the same speed:
Each gear has a syncho face (external cone) machined with it
The hub is spring loaded so when you move the shifter partway, it presses the baulk ring (internal cone part) against the gear.
When they have slow down to the same speed, the shifter will move all the way in. It happens very quickly, unless the synchros are worn and not working well.
Synchro is basically:
Coupling with hub Baulk rings and gear faces
Coupling with hub. Left: assembled. Right: not assembled
photo
Each synchro set services two gears (arrows). Center arrow points to the Coupling Sleeve
photo
The Coupling Sleeve is what the shifter moves.
The hub is keyed to the mainshaft, so the sleeve rotates constantly in the Shift ForK while the car is moving.
The spring lets the hub move side-to-side inside the Coupling Sleeve, but not move too far. On this one there is a total of about 1/4" (5mm) total movement possible.
56-Series Transmission
FS5C56A 5-speed has very different synchros from other A-series transmissions. It has "C" type synchros (the "C" in FS5C56A) which are very different
4-speed: W56 'W' Warner (Borg Warner) type syncromesh 5-speed: C56 'C' Cone-Type (Porsche-type) synchromesh See Transmission Gear Part Numbers
4-speed F4W56L, F4W56A 32604-H9000 RING-BAULK (4) > 32604-H1000 <> 32604-H1010 32609-18000 INSERT-SHIFTING (6) 32603-18000 SPRING-SYNCHRONIZER (4) 32601-18000 HUB-SYNCHRONIZER (2) 32606-18000 SLEEVE-COUPLING (2)
5-SPEED FS5C56A 32601-H7200 HUB-SYNCHRONIZER (2) 32606-H7200 SLEEVE-coupling (2) 32611-H7200 RING-synchro 32612-H7200 BLOCK-thrust 32613-H7200 BLOCK-anchor 32614-H7200 BAND-brake 22 (2) 32616-H7200 CIRCLIP
Also see 56-Series_Transmission_Parts#Synchros.
60-Series Transmission
32604-H9000 RING-BAULK 4 * F4W56A * F4W60L * FS5W60L 32604-H9700 RING-BAULK 5 * FS5W60A
FS5W60L 5-Speed (1979 B310) 32606-18000 SLEEVE-COUPLING 4th-5th, 2nd-3rd 32258-H9001 HUB-SYNCHRONIZER 1ST & REVERSE $133.92 USD 32601-H9001 HUB-SYNCHRONIZER 2ND & 3RD 32601-H9000 HUB-SYNCHRONIZER 4TH & 5TH
FS5W60L 32604-H9000 RING-BAULK 4 32603-18000 RING-SYNCHRONIZER 4 32601-H9001 HUB SYNCHRONIZER-2ND & 3RD 32609-18000 INSERT-SHIFTING 6
32602-32200 SPRING-SHIFTING INSERT (SYNCHRONIZER INSERT) 3 * unique to F5W60L 32608-H9000 INSERT-SHIFTING 9 32258-H9001 HUB SYNCHRONIZER-1ST & REVERSE 1