i have an 89 rs with a 700r4 3000rpm stall. it decided to start acting up the other day. when in OD it shifts 1 and 2 but as soon as it goes to 3 it free revs until your in the higher rpms when it starts to catch. manualy shifting you can go from 1 to 2 fine but when its in D or OD it doesnt want to go anywhere and free revs till high rpms. fluids good and cables working properly......any ideas/sugestions

thanks

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, sounds like the 3/4 clutch pack is gone. Which is the most common fail point (worn out) of the 700R4.

RBob.

+1 on that

Yup. That is the typical way that they die of old age.

If you must drive it, then keep it below 35mph or so. You will eventually burn the fluid and begin to cause more damage if you keep driving it.

thanks to everyone for the help...so im guessing the best fix for the problem would be a complete rebuild?

You asked what would be "the best" fix. LEt's not even consider a street/strip tranny because you don't need that much beef. Yes, a rebuild would be best. If you keep driving it then you will be adding to the cost of the repair.

If you pull the tranny yourself then because you already have problems, you should be able to find a local shop that will rebuild it for around $700 including a rebuilt torque converter. IF you pay a shop to drop the tranny and and re-install, then add $500 - $600 to the price and that's for a stock rebuild.

My tranny shifts fine, but since I'm restoring the car, I have a local guy who will rebuild it for around $425. Again, that's only because the tranny is in working order but I know it will fail in the future (high miles) and since I'm re-doing everything on the car (engine too) then spend a little $$ for peace of mind

good luck as it's probably not what you want to hear but high mile and older cars need to be refreshed.