It is in an 1972 Impala (sorry...still a Chev though!) and we put new engine in some years back with cam and vortec heads and a cam, I want it to shift at 5500 or so when on it but short shifts at around 3000 and kinda oozes to second, second to third always nice firm shift. Trans rebuilt before the engine and never felt quite right. Can I adjust shift point and firmness without spending money on it?

 

Sorry. You need to spend money. ALOT of it. Like, about $15.

Go get yourself a RED STRIPE vacuum modulator. You can get it at any parts store, even VatoZAone and such. Not a pink stripe, not a green stripe, not a big black can; RED STRIPE. No other kind. You'll probably just have to look up every random GM V8 application you can think of; big block, small block, Pontiac, Buick, Olds, Powerglide, 350, 400, from 65 to about 75 and look in the boxes. When you find one that has a RED STRIPE, buy it. Don't worry about the part number, what it's listed for, or anything else; all that matters is that it has a RED STRIPE.

Install it, see how it shifts. There's a little screw in the vacuum fitting to adjust it: turn it inwards (clockwise) to make it shift later and harder. Try it in about ½ turn increments until you get to a point where it has an effect, then ¼ trun to dial it in.

Pop quiz: what color stripe are you looking for?

 

green

 

Thanks!!!!!!!! Red