Having tranny problems!?!?!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Having tranny problems!?!?!
I just got my C3 back on the road to find that my overdrive is not working. I know very little about trannys so I really need some help here. It's a '79 L-82 with the 350/350 auto.
I still haven't hooked up my kick down cable to my carb linkage yet but I don't think that would have anything to do with my O/D right?
How can I troubleshoot to get to the bottom of my problem?
I still haven't hooked up my kick down cable to my carb linkage yet but I don't think that would have anything to do with my O/D right?
How can I troubleshoot to get to the bottom of my problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
IF your car is stock as shipped from factory....you don't HAVE an o/drive....3 speeds to the shifts is all you have....and too boot you don't have a lockup converter...either....would be worth 3-400 rpm's....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I guess I meant to say lockup converter. What is normally a "D" on the shift console is a "3". Does this mean I don't have either?
This thing runs at 3800 rpm at 55mph. It just seems high. What should be the expected rpms?
This thing runs at 3800 rpm at 55mph. It just seems high. What should be the expected rpms?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It may not be going into 3rd. If the detent cable is pulled out or mis-adjusted, it will keep the trans from shifting to 3rd. Make sure the cable is free and retracted at the carb end. Past that, you're looking at a stuck or mis-assembled detent valve.
Have you had the pan off the trans,or has it been out of the car? Is the cable kinked?
IF all this fails, then maybe the governor or 3rd clutches.
I don't know for sure when they started the lockup convertor. Is there an electrical connector on the trans?
Have you had the pan off the trans,or has it been out of the car? Is the cable kinked?
IF all this fails, then maybe the governor or 3rd clutches.
I don't know for sure when they started the lockup convertor. Is there an electrical connector on the trans?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,374
Likes: 6,373
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You don't have overdrive or a lockup converter. You just have a plain ol' 350 tranny, and it has 3 speeds - that's it. The rpm you pull at 55mph is dependent on your rear end ratio. It's quite possible you can have a rear ratio that will make you run down the road at 3800 at 55. Check your rear gearing to see what you have. Sounds normal to me as long as the tranny is shifting into 3rd.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
with everyone above. The 79-L82 has a TH350 non-overdrive, non-lockup tranny. It also should have a 355 rear. The 3800RPM at 55 is way hi and you should be seeing ~3200 at 65. Wondering if your rear is stock or your tach is screwed.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Not going into 3rd could be it. I'm wondering if I was in 2nd what would the rpm's be? I would think it would be extemely high in 2nd.
The detent cable is now hooked up. Not sure how to propoerly adjust it though???? Could use some advice here too.
The detent cable is now hooked up. Not sure how to propoerly adjust it though???? Could use some advice here too.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Lock the bowden tube into the holder
Push the metal tab, and pull the tube away from the carb.
Hook the cable to the carb.
Manually pull the linkage to WOT.
The cable will ratchet out towards the carb.(Clicking)
This will set max travel at WOT.
Enjoy.
Push the metal tab, and pull the tube away from the carb.
Hook the cable to the carb.
Manually pull the linkage to WOT.
The cable will ratchet out towards the carb.(Clicking)
This will set max travel at WOT.
Enjoy.