Car won't move when put in reverse
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Car won't move when put in reverse
I just started working on my 1982 Vette. The car wouldn't go into reverse when I bought it. The seller said the tranny had been rebuilt right before it was wrecked, and not driven since. That was 15 years ago.
When I put it in reverse, the idle drops just like it should, and nothing else happens. In drive, it works OK. The car has poor brakes and no headlights, so it is not on the road. I have it on jackstands while I am working on the brakes and front-end.
I checked the fluid level and it was low. I added a few quarts of fluid, and it still didn't go into reverse.
I dropped the pan, and found the tranny full of motor oil. I drained and refilled the system twice by dropping the pan. The fluid is almost red and translucent now.
There was a lot of metal particles in the pan. More than I would expect from a rebuild. There was both clear RTV and orange RTV all over the pan and exhaust pipes, like a moron did the work.
I wonder if there is just a stuck valve or something keeping the tranny from shifting into reverse.
I was thinking abouthooking up a hose to the radiator cooler connections and do a flush that way, but don't want to waste the money on fluid if it is a lost cause.
Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
When I put it in reverse, the idle drops just like it should, and nothing else happens. In drive, it works OK. The car has poor brakes and no headlights, so it is not on the road. I have it on jackstands while I am working on the brakes and front-end.
I checked the fluid level and it was low. I added a few quarts of fluid, and it still didn't go into reverse.
I dropped the pan, and found the tranny full of motor oil. I drained and refilled the system twice by dropping the pan. The fluid is almost red and translucent now.
There was a lot of metal particles in the pan. More than I would expect from a rebuild. There was both clear RTV and orange RTV all over the pan and exhaust pipes, like a moron did the work.
I wonder if there is just a stuck valve or something keeping the tranny from shifting into reverse.
I was thinking abouthooking up a hose to the radiator cooler connections and do a flush that way, but don't want to waste the money on fluid if it is a lost cause.
Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Pretty sure that tranny is toast. Motor is not the same as tranny lube. I don't know what if any dammage it would do to the seals, But I am pretty sure the clutches would not like it and would slip as would the band. MInumum it would need a serious flush, more likely the valve body needs to be disassembled and cleaned.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks for the feedback.
I figured, since the tranny needs more pressure in reverse, that the motor oil was screwing up the bands and clutch's ability to work.
I just wonder if the problem is just the motor oil, or something more.
I figured, since the tranny needs more pressure in reverse, that the motor oil was screwing up the bands and clutch's ability to work.
I just wonder if the problem is just the motor oil, or something more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
He already has a 700R4 mounted in, why go to the expense to swap to a 200R4? Just get your trans rebuilt using good upgraded parts or get a later, stronger unit and swap it out. 700R4/4L60 82-94 (not 4L60E) should bolt right in using the original 82 tailhousing. Just get 88 or newer internals and you should be in good shape.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Ahh, I forgot that car had the 700 in it. In that case the same applies, Oregon Performance Transmision had good rebuild kits and shift kits and the price is right. Thats the guys I got my 200 parts from on Ebay
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks, guys.
I have a dumb question...
Are all 700R4 and 4L60 trannys geared the same? First gear in my friend's 82 is really short.
I read about the 31 spline later years and beefier internals compared to the original one in the car.
I am leaning towards a GearStar with a 2000 RPM or 2200 RPM stall converter.
I have a dumb question...
Are all 700R4 and 4L60 trannys geared the same? First gear in my friend's 82 is really short.
I read about the 31 spline later years and beefier internals compared to the original one in the car.
I am leaning towards a GearStar with a 2000 RPM or 2200 RPM stall converter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Thanks, guys.
I have a dumb question...
Are all 700R4 and 4L60 trannys geared the same? First gear in my friend's 82 is really short.
I read about the 31 spline later years and beefier internals compared to the original one in the car.
I am leaning towards a GearStar with a 2000 RPM or 2200 RPM stall converter.
I have a dumb question...
Are all 700R4 and 4L60 trannys geared the same? First gear in my friend's 82 is really short.
I read about the 31 spline later years and beefier internals compared to the original one in the car.
I am leaning towards a GearStar with a 2000 RPM or 2200 RPM stall converter.