Yesterday I tried shifting manually with the column shifter letting the revs go up to about 4k. After having a bit of fun like that, i calmed down and drove home with the transmission in Drive. It's now doing a couple of things it never did before: 1. From a stop the car crawls forward slowly as usualy, but when i give it gas, feels like it's slipping. Hesitates a bit before the transmission really catches. 2. Shift form 1st to 2nd is a little rough. Feels like there's a "clunk" when it does go in 2nd. 3. In 1st and 2nd gear if I gun it, feels like slippage. It's sort of chattering noise/feeling. I thought maybe it was my tires losing grip since it was a little wet out, but i think it's the tranny. I had to go out again later that night after the car had cooled down a bit, it seems to be OK now, but i only drove it down the block and back. I haven't had a chance to really drive it since and get a feel for it. Hopefully i'll have time tonight. Did i just overheat it maybe, or is it possible i damaged it? I don't think i put it under that much stress. I've done a lot worse on other cars (albeit more modern) without any consequences.
If the transmission has a bunch of miles on it and/or it's been a long time since it's been gone through, you may have heated it up and pissed it off sufficiently enough to cause those symptoms. When transmissions age the fluid breaks down, gets contaminated and internal seals begin to harden causing internal pressure losses. Also, the valves in the pump, valve body & governor can begin to stick due to varnish forming on them and contamination. Once things cool back down, the fluid thickens and masks the above symptoms.
This spring I was planning on replacing the gaskets on the engine. (It leaks from the head and rocker covers) Is it a big job to do the same on the tranny? Do I have to drop it out? If so, I think it would be better to bring it to a shop for an overhaul. any idea what a thing like that would cost? Thanks.
The Valve covers are easy to change the gasket for. The trasn may not have liked the jaunt though. Goodluck.
The Valve covers are easy to change the gasket for. The trans may not have liked the jaunt though. Goodluck.
Overhaul costs on an old 3-spd auto aren't too bad. You could save yourself some decent coin by removing & replacing the transmission yourself and letting a shop perform the rebuild. Ask around for a reputable shop or two and get some estimates. Depending on how well the tranny is working now, you might be able to get some more mileage out of it by just changing the fluid/filter, checking the vacuum modulator and vacuum line feeding it. A tranny tune-up if you will.
I'm no tranny expert, but couldn't these symptoms come simply from not having enough fluid in the trans, or did you check that? The thing ought to be able to take manual shifts at 4000 rpm, I would think. Nick
I check all my fluids regularly. Right after this started happening, i checked it right away and the level seemed to be fine. Well within operating range.
Fluid Check your fluid....not the level, but the color and smell it. Don't taste it though...lmao. If it seems a very dark red or almost black then you have burnt it. It will also smell a little burnt. If so.....Drain it and do the tranny tune up as described above. Filter, gasket, check modulator lines for vacuum leaks etc. Just be careful adding replacing the fluid....Tranny fluid has detergent like properties. If the seal and valves in the tranny are old, new fuid will break them down. Try finding some good clean used fluid, unless you are planning a rebuild in the near future anyway.
