i have a th400 with a trans brake installed in it. it is a red neck performance trans brake. the problem i am having is when i shift car into neutral and press the trans brake button i dont feel the car go into reverse gear. car will not move unless i give it a lil throttle and then i feel it kick into reverse and car starts to move. i believe the solenoid is working everytime i hit the button. i can hear it. i have to rev the car to get it to go into reverse. i am using Castrol dex/merc fluid.

this is the first time me driving the car since i installed the trans. the car went into reverse fine (right when i hit the button) in the garage when i backed out of the garage. i am letting the car cool down now to see if it starts working properly again

any thoughs?

 

That's normal. What's it like when you set the transbrake while in low gear without raising the idle?

I've never had much luck with a TH400 transbrake. I still have a tranny in the garage with one in it. I stripped it down a couple of times and I still can't get it to go into reverse although the transbrake works fine. I finally gave up on it and went to a powerglide and never looked back.

 

I have to raise the idle about 500 rpm to get the car to engage and move in reverse.

Also same thing happens when I set the trans brake. When I push the trans brake I have to raise idle about 500 rpm and footbrake it a lil so it doesn't roll. Then the trans brake will hold and launch really hard.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Live with it or raise your idle. It's usually considered normal unless you get the transmission custom built so that it doesn't take as much fluid it apply the reverse band.

Talk to racers in the pits who use a TH400 and a transbrake. Chances are most of them have to do the same thing.

Do you have a double o-ring on the oil filter pickup tube?

 

Do not have a double o ring on the pick up tube. What's the purpose of the double o ring?

 

Better suction seal

 

I have a transbrake th400 in my street car and have no such problem. Only a slight delay into reverse but not bad. I suspect either transbrake installation not done correctly or just a defective or low quality transbrake. Another thing to check is if your trans pump is worn out or a sticking pressure regulator .Make sure your fluid level is correct.

 

Have you taken it to the track? it could be air in your torque convertor. what is the size and stall of your convertor? the third and reverse clutches are used for reversing, see if you have 3rd gear. does it ever slip OUT of reverse?

 

I have third gear. It shifts great. When I take off in reverse the car won't move untill about. 1400rpm then I feel it go in and take off. Haven't had it to the track but I have driven it qquite a bit and beat on it pretty good so far.

I am running a castrol dex/merc fluid.

Is there any adjustments or fluild type tha you recomend to help tighten up the engagement

I have a 3400 stall flashes a lil higher.

 

Update. just drove the car it shifts into 3rd normally at light and medium acceleration when i go full throttle the 2-3 upshift slips and it bounces off the rev limiter.. so i am thinking it has a fried clutch pack.