Firm OD shift - problem?

[OldsSW]

I adjusted my TV cable on my tranny a little while ago. Ever since then, the OD shift has become very firm, even at very light throttle. Is this something to worry about? The tranny is a stock '85 Olds 307 TH 200-4R behind a Olds 307. It's only got about 70K on the tranny. I also have a '90 Olds 307 with a TH 200-4R as well, and it seems a lot smoother, but I have read that early TH 200-4R's shift more roughly. Also, the 1-2 and 2-3 shift on the '85 are not overly firm.

Also, the tranny seems to upshift really quickly as well. I am in OD at just over 30mph. I have tried readjusting the TV cable several times, and it never changes the shift points. I am adjusting the TV via the FSM instructions.

Any advice is welcomed.

 

[HOTTOGO]

check to make sure the cable is still attached to the linkage in the the trans, by disconnecting it from the carb and pulling it and see if it has spring tension. If so then maybe then maybe the tv exhaust check ball/lifter rod are screwed up causeing it to stay seated and giving you max tv press.

 

[OldsSW]

I checked the cable and it's good. How do I check the tv exhaust check ball/lifter rod?

Is the firm OD shift something that will damage my tranny in the mean time? Wouldn't a firm shift actually help reduce wear?

 

[OldsSW]

Can anyone offer some advice?

 

[chris718]

i would think you need to check the orifice in the spacer plate which feeds the o/drive clutch pack and also the 3/4 accumulator spring and or piston in the case for damage or a missassembly.firm overdrive shifts will damage the overdrive carrier to input shaft splines as well as create unpleasant shift quality. there is plenty of capacity designed into the 4th clutches in your application to not neccessitate short ,firm bangy shifts .

 

[HOTTOGO]

Originally posted by OldsSW
I ...Also, the tranny seems to upshift really quickly as well. I am in OD at just over 30mph. I have tried readjusting the TV cable several times, and it never changes the shift points. I am adjusting the TV via the FSM instructions....

This would lead me to believe to much tv pressure thus the thought of cable or checkball. How did you check the cable? As for the checkball and lifter you need to drop the pan and check the lifter linkage. I can email ya some pics if you don't have a manual or don't know what it's suppose to look like. Let me know.

 

[77 cruiser]

i wonder if the 4th accum. piston is broken or the spring or maybe just scored & stuck in the case.

Jim

 

[OldsSW]

I checked the TV cable as described previously, by disconnecting it from the carb and checking for tension. Also, when I first adjusted the cable, it made a huge change in the shift points. It was only after the adjustment of the TV cable that the OD shift became firm, before this it was okay.

Thanks for all the info on what to check. I am still learning with tranny's, so I would appreciate the pics.

Oh, BTW, it is due for a fluid change too. The fluid is still in decent conditon, but it hasn't been changed for years. I am planning on changing it soon, or possibly even trying to do a complete change with the tranny cooler lines.

This car is my daily driver, both for summer and winter. I need it to be reliable, which is why I don't want any tranny problems. Thanks again for the help guys. Any other input is appreciated.

 

[HOTTOGO]

I tried sending 3 pic's, but the last 2 got returned. I assume they were too much for your mailbox.

 

[OldsSW]

Mark:

could you try sending the other two photo's again? My account was too full to accept the other photo's, but I cleaned it up so it should be fine now.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[HOTTOGO]

Done!

 

[OldsSW]

Thanks!

 

[HOTTOGO]

you bet!