Think my tranny is in the death spiral

[imjoesnuffy]

Had it rebuilt last year by a local shop. I purchased the "Pro" kit from TCI here-- TCI - SERVICE KITS: Transmission Kits For All Of Your Performance Transmission Rebuilding Needs Didn't know anything about these cars when I got it and TCI was a name I recognized, so what the heck.

Next I managed to toast the crank nicely and the car was down all winter. Got the motor back in last month, car has a lot more power than before. Also went with a 3000 stall convertor instead of the D5. Trans has acted a lil funny since being back on the road. First the shifter cable had to be replaced. Since then everytime I cut the car off I had to rotate the collar a little bit to get the keys out. Little hesitant to lock up in OD.

Last night I drove to a friend's house and after I got there. I took him for a spin in the rebuilt ride. Couple WOT blasts, manually shifting from 1-2 and running out of road, so I never hit D or OD, during WOT. Everything was fine. After we got back to his place, I left for home and at first the car wouldn't go into OD. Pulled over to make sure I wasn't leaking any fluids from the tranny or the trans fluid cooler. Not a drop on the ground, dipstick showed full hot. Get back on the road, now it won't go into drive, just 1st and 2nd. By the time I made the rest of the short ride home all I have is Park, reverse, neutral and 1st gear. Gonna pull the pan tonight to check for any surprises. Anything to look for specifically?

 

[LV GN]

look for a little spring from the govenor laying in the pan. if it is and nothing else is in there(clutch, metal,burnt fluid) its an easy fix.

 

[MeanBuicks]

First the shifter cable had to be replaced. Since then everytime I cut the car off I had to rotate the collar a little bit to get the keys out.

Make sure you get everything readjusted under there so you don't run the transmission between gear positions. The column issue can be resolved by readjusting the rod that goes from the shifter linkage assy. up to the column.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Best case scenario if I haven't scattered/scorched the internals. How do you make the adjustments? Guess I should be more worried about that after I get the pan off.

The other day I was trying to adjust the detent cable and couldn't get it to adjust either (related???)

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Yep, Dead on arrival

Well got the pan off. As it was dripping bright red fluid I was hopeful. Got the pan off, no metal chunks. Just can't wait to find that little spring!! Yippeeee!. Moved under the light, no spring. Little streaks in there. Not too bad. What's all this grease by the magnet?? Oh wait that's what is left of the clutches I think. Clutch material? Band material?

Confirmed with a magnet. Guess I am in the market for another tranny or rebuilding this one. See pics below.

 

[mikestertwo]

That metal "mud" is normal. It mostly comes off of the steels in the clutch packs and the direct clutch drum. Did you pull the governor cover to see if the spring is still in the governor? Sometimes the spring doesn't fall into the pan and just get's torn up by the governor.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

The governor being the round thing on the side? To be completely honest I know nothing about the internals of the transmission. I did put a shift kit in a th350 once and I can get the pan off and check the fluid. Thats about the extent of my experience. Thanks.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Found a pic of the governor, yes I was way off. Will check it tomorrow.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Little help here.

OK how do I find the spring on the governor? Do I take the valve body off the bottom? Can't see it at the moment.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Just reread that post.

Let me rephrase, How do I get to the governor to see if the spring is on it?

Valve body removal? I just don't wan't to get too far in over my head.

 

[mikestertwo]

The governor is located under a cover held on with four 13mm bolts. It's located behind the valve body. Just remove the four bolts and the cover and governor will just drop out. You may have to pull on the cover a little, sometimes the gasket will stick.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Got the governor out, spring is on it. Looks good to me??? See the pic.

Gonna put it all back together. Replace the filter and fluid, see how it does. I made the adjustments as prescribed on gnttype. If that doesn't work I'm gonna take it to someone who knows what they are doing.

I really appreciate everyone's help on this.

Any special procedures to put the governor back in? It just sort of slipped out. Don't want to put it in out of alignment or anything.

Take care,
John

 

[mikestertwo]

It will self align when you install it. No alignment proceedure necessary. Just put the governor in the cover and put it back up in the trans as an assembly. Be sure to replace the gasket.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

The gasket was in good shape, not torn or damaged at all. Does it still need to be replaced?

 

[mikestertwo]

The gasket was in good shape, not torn or damaged at all. Does it still need to be replaced?

You could probably get away with not replacing it but being that you are chasing a shifting problem, I would replace it.

 

[MeanBuicks]

You can get away with reusing it if it's in as good a condition as you say. Also make sure that the Teflon seal on the end of the governor shaft is in good condition and fits snugly in the bore.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Big thanks to all those who responded. Problem solved.

Took it to the parts store after reassembly for some things. Pulling out I kicked it down just before hitting 2nd. When it hit 2nd the car was sideways at 45 mph Pedestrians just stopped and stared.

I then headed home for a quick change of shorts as I was not expecting that. Off to the track I go!