83 t-type tranny Question

[G-bodyguy]

I just picked up an 83 T and I noticed once the tranny warms up to normal operating temperature it starts shifting funny. What I notice is the car will not down shift until the last minute so it seems like the car wants to stall out but then the tranny finally does down shift, and once I start to go the tranny shifts somewhat hard into 2nd then it shifts really fast into 3rd almost seeming to miss 2nd then it seems to take forever until it shifts into 4th and it shifts kind of hard as well into 4th, the tranny is a 200-4r and I checked the tranny fluid but that was full and smelled fine. any help on this would be appreciated I don't want to take the tranny out if I don't have to, so that's why I'm looking for some advice on it first.

 

[A. G. Olphart]

It sounds like you have at least two separate issues, the simpler being a bad TCC valve. If it doesn't release when it should you get the shuddery want to kill the engine feeling as you come to a stop.

Shift timing is primarily a valve body thing. While you are changing the TCC valve (try 'search' for a specific TCC recommendation) you might check the Case ID on the tranny housing and the valve body paint markings to see what you have. Some are better than others, and even the best benefit from a shift kit.