Dartht33bagger

Around this time last year I had my 700r4 rebuilt at a local transmission shop when I did my engine swap. It was mostly just a refresh with a shift kit installed if I remember correctly (their recommendation - I didn't really care since this is a cruiser car). For the first 6-8 months, everything seemed okay. Recently, I've noticed that under light throttle, it shifts into third gear pretty rough. Under almost no throttle, it "thuds" into third, at 1/4-1/2 throttle it almost feels like it releases second gear for half a second and then grabs third gear because my engine rpms rise about 500rpms before third grabs (essentially feels like going into neutral for a half a second and then grabbing third). This creates a pretty jerky shift with an annoying engine noise blip. At 1/2 throttle and above it shifts into third like butter with no delay or jerkiness 80% of the time and the other 20% of the time it jerks into third if I hadn't been on the throttle hard enough for long enough.

Anyone have any idea what this could be? I could take it back to the tranny shop and ask but I don't really have a ton of faith in them since it took 3 visits after they rebuild the transmission for them to stop all of the fluid leaks.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like the 2-4 band is releasing too quickly. Allowing a flare (the trans is dropping back to 1st) in rpm before the 3-4 clutch appies. If it was working before then something has changed. Have you checked the fluid condition? If it's brown and burnt then you have a premature wear problem.

I'm no expert - just trying to help. Based on your experience with leaks from this builder I would be worried and doing some research on this issue. About the only thing you can do is drop the pan and see what the fluid and magnets say about it.

GD

Dartht33bagger

I checked the fluid after driving it today. The fluid level is at the full hot line when hot and the color of the fluid looks okay - maybe a little dark. I'm sick right now so I can't smell if the fluid is burnt or not but I will as soon as my nose clears up.

Pro Built Automatics

First, make sure that the TV cable is tight at WOT. If it is not tight at WOT, adjust the TV cable to get tight at WOT. Test drive to see what happens. Come back with the results.

Dartht33bagger

I confirmed the TV cable is still tight at WOT. I set it there after we finished the swap last year.

I also confirmed again tonight that the fluid level was high enough. Just in case the dipstick was somehow reading wrong I poured in a little bit of ATF (maybe 1/10) a quart with no improvement.

My nose is cleared up enough now to tell there is a burning smell from the transmission. I'll be taking it back to the shop this week since its supposed to be under a 24k mile warranty after the rebuild. I'll see what they tell me and see if I can't get it fixed elsewhere if possible.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

I don't know where you are in Oregon but if you are in the Portland metro I can recommend a good builder.

GD

Dartht33bagger

I am in Portland metro (east side).

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Larry Morton built my trans and many for customers and friends of mine, etc:

http://www.mortontransmissions.com

I have a shop in the area and I don't do automatic trans work in house so I have had multiple occasions to use them. My 86 TA has a race trans built by Larry personally a few years ago for a friend's Malibu race car. Unfortunately he only used it for three or four months before the car got parted out due to an accident. The trans went on a shelf for 4 years before I swapped it into my 86. Works GREAT. Sonnax billet servos, 5 pinion planetary, 3000 stall non locking converter. All heavy duty. Built for 700+ HP. Highly recommend if you like things..... quick. It has good part throttle behavior and medium to heavy throttle barks tires or burns them on the shifts.

Transmission Exchange is also local to us. If you are interested in a quality stock unit, I could inquire on your behalf. I could also do the install for you if you end up needing that. It's a pretty easy swap. I have a 5 bay shop in the Milwaukie area.

http://www.txchange.com

GD