Transmission question
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Transmission question
I was checking my fluids today in my '75. The transmission was about a quart low so I topped it off. Followed basic procedures and made sure the car was hot when I checked it.
Now, it seems to be a pretty rough shift from park into 1st. Being late young guy still figuring all these things out, I'm a bit confused. Is this just the transmission adjusting to the new fluid, maybe some gunk was knocked around, I have no idea. Any input or knowledge is welcome.
Now, it seems to be a pretty rough shift from park into 1st. Being late young guy still figuring all these things out, I'm a bit confused. Is this just the transmission adjusting to the new fluid, maybe some gunk was knocked around, I have no idea. Any input or knowledge is welcome.
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I'm just dealing with the least-costly problems/solutions right now.
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That's why I choose to top it off vs. Paying to have it flushed and changed. I had 0 issues previously and all signs pointed to no issues.
I appreciate your help, I've stated in my introduction that's I'm new to all of this but very eager to learn and this is the only way.
I appreciate your help, I've stated in my introduction that's I'm new to all of this but very eager to learn and this is the only way.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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Did you check it running in neutral?
Le Mans Master
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From: Dryden MI
What fluid did you put in it? Any chance you did not over fill it? What do you mean by rough, does it grab hard going into first or shudder, or slip. that might be normal, shudder and slip would not be normal. How does it feel when shifting Into reverse? Is the idle fast and I am assuming it is an automatic, and you are shifting from park into drive. Get a friends opinion, another Vette driver preferred. Go to a local car show, someone there will be glad to help too with advice. Where do you live, city?
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All good points, I read a ton more about it last night. On my phone I downloaded the garage app thing to use for this site and can't find the search function? Either way I grabbed the iPad and searched last night.
I did not overfill it and I checked it when in park on a flat surface. It's currently just a shade under the full when hot mark. I miss spoke when I said a quart.
Today I got in and tried again. It's much better for some reason. I changed nothing. It's was not a slip and more like a drop and I would describe going into reverse as a lift. Yesterday they jerked you pretty hard going into gear. Today it wasn't bad.
I have always assumed some jerk as normal for these cars, this is my first vette, first classic car, and my first real project. I've done basics as breaks, drop kits on s10s, etc... in the past but I have very limited knowledge and skills. I'm basically learning as I go. I love this stuff, but didn't grow up with it.
Thank you all for your replies. I'm near canton ohio. If anyone has any events I could go to and meet people I would I love a real vette guy to point me in the right directions on done things.
I did not overfill it and I checked it when in park on a flat surface. It's currently just a shade under the full when hot mark. I miss spoke when I said a quart.
Today I got in and tried again. It's much better for some reason. I changed nothing. It's was not a slip and more like a drop and I would describe going into reverse as a lift. Yesterday they jerked you pretty hard going into gear. Today it wasn't bad.
I have always assumed some jerk as normal for these cars, this is my first vette, first classic car, and my first real project. I've done basics as breaks, drop kits on s10s, etc... in the past but I have very limited knowledge and skills. I'm basically learning as I go. I love this stuff, but didn't grow up with it.
Thank you all for your replies. I'm near canton ohio. If anyone has any events I could go to and meet people I would I love a real vette guy to point me in the right directions on done things.
Le Mans Master
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From: Dryden MI
I would think Canton, OH would have a lot of cruises, shows, check local papers, Google or your area might have a Cruisin, News with lists. There might be a local Corvette Club too that you could visit.
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I have kind of checked around, showed up to one cruise in and only about 3 cars were there. No corvettes. I found another one on September 18th I'm going to swing by and see if I can meet any corvette guys.
Online I did find some clubs in Ohio but they were pretty good drives from my place.
Online I did find some clubs in Ohio but they were pretty good drives from my place.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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If the previous owner put in a shift kit it would shift sharply when going through the gears. And maybe, possibly, when it was low it wasn't shifting as hard. I know, far fetched shot in the dark but owning a car second or third hand without knowing the full mechanical history makes some diagnosis difficult.
If I didnt look my engine code up I wouldnt know my noisy lifters were actually solid lifters and woildnt have adjusted them properly. When I tried to figure out my dash light problems and my backup light wiring, I found a brand new dash wiring harness with no grounds connected and the backup wire taped up and stuffed under the center console. Just connecting the grounds and putting the proper socket in the correct hole fixed all my problems
My point is you may not have a problem. I would take it to a good transmission shop and have it flushed and checked out. Hopefully you know an honest shop or can find one. Atleast have them drop the pan and change the filter. They maybe able to tell you something about the fluid or if the valving has been modified.
If I didnt look my engine code up I wouldnt know my noisy lifters were actually solid lifters and woildnt have adjusted them properly. When I tried to figure out my dash light problems and my backup light wiring, I found a brand new dash wiring harness with no grounds connected and the backup wire taped up and stuffed under the center console. Just connecting the grounds and putting the proper socket in the correct hole fixed all my problems
My point is you may not have a problem. I would take it to a good transmission shop and have it flushed and checked out. Hopefully you know an honest shop or can find one. Atleast have them drop the pan and change the filter. They maybe able to tell you something about the fluid or if the valving has been modified.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Aug 16, 2016 at 07:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
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If you can find an honest transmission shop see if they will do a test drive. Many times the small shops are best. The shift kit idea does sound like a real possibility I put one in a 70 Z 28 Camaro and it hit hard shifting. Worked good at the drags! 
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Thank you greatly for all the input. I think my next step sense it seems to have leveled out is to find a corvette guy in the area either through the forums or at a local show and ask him to give it a spin.
If any of you are in or near ohio and have some great corvette shows or meets coming up let me know. Carlisle is out of the question this year, it's about 6 or 7 hours away and my wife works that weekend. (I'm a teacher so Monday to Friday for me)
If any of you are in or near ohio and have some great corvette shows or meets coming up let me know. Carlisle is out of the question this year, it's about 6 or 7 hours away and my wife works that weekend. (I'm a teacher so Monday to Friday for me)
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From: Somerville Alabama
Cooter Tech mentioned "fast idle" and that's what you seemed to describe.
I've had some fun (fun=trouble??) adjusting my Quadrajet carburetor and the label under the hood states 500 RPM in Drive, brakes on.
When it was 600 RPM the shift from Park to Drive was felt strongly, trying to move forward. And if in Park or Neutral it was 700+ RPM.
So maybe it just needs to be at 600 RPM in Park/Neutral like mine is, so when you shift into Drive or Reverse it should be close to only 500 RPM.
Oh, and that's ignoring A/C equipped cars. Mine had that but was removed and the solenoid which bumps up the idle isn't active.
If I recall this right I think either 50 or 100 is added to idle RPM if A/C is active.
And if you have access to a timing light or meter with RPM capability you should make sure your tachometer is right too.
I've had some fun (fun=trouble??) adjusting my Quadrajet carburetor and the label under the hood states 500 RPM in Drive, brakes on.
When it was 600 RPM the shift from Park to Drive was felt strongly, trying to move forward. And if in Park or Neutral it was 700+ RPM.
So maybe it just needs to be at 600 RPM in Park/Neutral like mine is, so when you shift into Drive or Reverse it should be close to only 500 RPM.
Oh, and that's ignoring A/C equipped cars. Mine had that but was removed and the solenoid which bumps up the idle isn't active.
If I recall this right I think either 50 or 100 is added to idle RPM if A/C is active.
And if you have access to a timing light or meter with RPM capability you should make sure your tachometer is right too.