Soft 1-2 shift on new tranny!?

[YGETV8]

Here it is in a nutshell: had my T-Type trans built by a very reputable MidWest builder a few years ago. Due to various circumstances, it sat around for about 2-2.5 years prior to being started/driven. There goes my 12 month-12,000 mile warranty! Got the car running last November but still had engine probs. Noticed that the trans slipped pretty bad on the 1-2 shift, but feels great avery where else. Car has pretty much sat again since last Dec.

Fast forward to now. Just did some more engine tweaking and took it out for a 20 mile drive the other day. Trans feels like pressure is good: pull it into gear and the car jerks; tap the gas at idle and it wants to leap forward; once second is engaged it feels okay; the 2-3, 3-4, and L/U (7 disc Vigilante) feel nice and firm!

Anything I can do/check? Trans now has about 80 miles on it, and I don't know that I'd trust anyone local to even look at it, you know?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[DKREDT]

Jay:

Hook up that pressure gauge and throw some readings our here for the guru's!

I got a 2004r troubleshooting guide... it has different pressures listed where a BRF should be in park etc.

Let me know if you want me to e-mail the info to you.

Good luck!

Joel

 

[WE4]

hrmmm

Is it just under throttle or is 2nd gear soft all the time? I do not feel pressure is the culprit here but it never hurts to know what they are. I would tend to lend towards set up in the trans in this instance. Ygetav8 I would like to help you as you are always around and dont usually ask for much. I do have a couple questions tho:

What pan is on this trans?

Is it just under throttle or is 2nd gear soft all the time?

If you run a line pressure test , what is it through all ranges?

What servo is on side?

Do you know what band they used?

The sitting part doesnt bother me in the least. That shouldnt hurt anything. Let us know....

Bruce

 

[YGETV8]

Let me do some checking. The shift is soft all the time. Stock pan. I'm pretty sure it's the stock servo. Can't tell you which band he uses... sorry. Joel, forgot I even had that gauge of yours (sorry)! I'll check it out and report. Thanks! Jay

 

[WE4]

Do your tests and ..

gather your info and find me when you can. We will beat this thing and win... ok you and me Jay, against this ill shifting second gear trans!!!! LOL


Bruce

 

[YGETV8]

Okay... I'm back. Got the gauge hooked up and here's what I found: at 800 RPM idle--150 psi in P, OD, and D; 230 in R, and 210 in 2. At 30 mph in D it was about 200 psi. Brake torque to about 2400 rpm in garage in D got to about 230 psi. Fluid is full, pink, and smells fine. Gauge would fluctuate a little on the 1-2 and 2-3 shift, but the needle was bouncing around a lot so it was hard to tell just how much. The pressure was the same on the 1-2 shift as the 2-3 and it bangs right into 3rd no problem. Held the trans in 2 since there was more line pressure there and the 1-2 shift felt the same.

So... does this tell us anything? Why, at the same psi, does the 2-3 shift feel fine?

Thanks, Jay

 

[WE4]

Pressure is not the only factor here. I would tend to look at accumulation, 2nd gear ck ball and the servo and band itself. Pressures you have are awesome for a reg.rebuild. It should hit pretty good with all else functioning properly. When you say bouncing you are referring to the plunge then recovery at the shift? this is normal as govenor opens demanding more oil to fill the void when the shift valve opens. But it should not be erratic any other time.

 

[YGETV8]

Okay... are you speaking English? Remember, I'm "tranny illiterate!"

It was a street/strip build, FWIW. Guess if you look in my Sig., you'd see who the builder was. I've heard nothing but good stuff about his work and assume from that that this is an isolated incident. If he wasn't 190 miles away, I'd have him look at it, but...

The gauge was "bouncing" due to vibrations and the fact that it isn't liquid filled. I don't think it was the pressure varying. Yes, the pressure would drop for just a fraction of a second on the shifts then recover.

I tried to find the spec sheet on the build but don't know where it went. I'll keep looking.

What do I do next, Boss?

 

[WE4]

Well just out of shear consideration...

I would call Jimmy first thing Monday and relay your results and ask him what he feels, may be up, or what you can do to improve. I think it is only out of respect for him and his work. He may have an idea of what he did and how he would like you to proceed. All I have heard is good, But I do not know him personally. I think the guy is a good guy and if so he would be more than happy to help out. If not, well, we will chat later I guess.... Good Luck and I feel that is the right thing to do.

Bruce

 

[YGETV8]

Good idea, Bruce! Thanks a bunch, and I'll let you know what he says. Jay

 

[YGETV8]

Just an update: I spoke with Jimmy and he was VERY helpful. He had me try something with the servo, which helped, but it is still too soft on the 1-2 shift. He said to go ahead and yank it out and bring it to him and he'll honor the warranty (found the receipt... it was actually rebuilt almost FOUR years ago!)! I'll probably go ahead and have the billet servo and drum installed while he's got it! This car (on paper) has the goods to go low 11s and I'd hate to find it's weakest link!

 

[WE4]

That is cool!!! Good luck.

My drum and servo?

Hrmm

That is great news man!~!!

Bruce

 

[YGETV8]

Update: Took my tranny to Jimmy 7/27. Left at 5:15am, arrived at 8:30am. On the bench and apart by 8:40am. He disassembled, checked, modified, helicoiled two bad threads in the case, made some changes after asking exactly what converter I ran, reassembled, and I was back out the door by 9:45am! Refused to take any money! Home by 1:00!

Just got it in and running yesterday and all is well! The 1-2 shift is very nice, and overall the tranny feels better. It used to "bang" into gear when pulling the shift lever into "D", and it's much smoother now. He stated that the previous 1-2 shift probs were band related.

Much happier! Thanks, Jimmy!