I have a 91 Fomula with a rebuilt tranny by the pevious owner, and the car shifts really smooth vs the other 3rd Gens that I have had....7 of them. When i say smooth I dont mean it in a good way, I mean SOFT. Apparently the car sat for a year too, so I am not sure if that would gum anything up,etc. but my 3-4 shift blows and I don't get that punch around 35-40 if I hit the gas. It just seems like the tranny isn't in synch with the rest of the drivetrain some how. What should I do? look for? Any ideas or recommendations? Thanks.

 

Sounds like the tv cable is adjusted too loose or there is a problem with the tv valve. Could be other things, this is just a start.

 

First check fluid level and condition Then do this: To adjust the TV Cable skip the book method and do this: Press the 'D' shaped lock button on the adjuster and loosen the cable setting (The black housing that the metal cable is in will move forward). Now, have someone floor the gas pedal while you check to see if the throttle plate is open all the way. Usually they are off a little and will wiggle. Do whatever you have to do to get it open solid. Now, with the pedal still floored, press the 'D' button and pull the cable casing (the black tube) back as hard as you can (putting maximum tension on the metal cable) and release the button. You now have the engine, tranny and gas pedal all in sync at WOT. Mark the cable casing so if for some reason it gets moved you can know where to put it again. The problem with the 'self adjust method' is that it bends things and puts them permanently out of whack. It is also the full TV setting, which is theoretically what the GM method does.

When you say it has a rebuilt, do you know if it is the original tranny? IF it is not it may very well not be in sync with your engine.