bluegtp

I posted last weekend about a problem I'm having with my trans....

basically, there's no first gear.....when in drive it just takes off in 2nd, when you manually shift it to 1st you can feel it go into gear, but the car doesn't move....if I'm doing about 10mph, and drop it manually to first it just locks up the rear tires and starts sliding.......double checked vacum lines and fluid level....

from the research I've done the governor controls the shifts and all.....so I pulled the governor.....now much questions is, is how to tell if it's bad??????


when I pulled it out there was a little piece of metal shaving on the Lobe of it (so that could be some of a problem too)....the wieghts or the top of the "T" on the governor move around really easily and there another little plate with a spring under it and that feels pretty firm.....the valve in the middle doesn't move at all when any of the other parts are moved and you can't move it with anything either...




thanks!


ryan

Vette Crazzy

if i remember correctly the gov only controls the upshifts.

vc

TimAT

The governor does control the upshifts. The piston inside should move with the weights, too. Usually, the gear on the governor will look like an apple core if it's really bad too.

The locking up in 1st concerns me. Have you dropped the pan and looked to see if there's any trash? That would tell a lot. There was from the factory, some screens that are designed to protect the goveernor from debris. If the tranny's been overhauled the screens may or may not be there. Some guys leave them out, some don't. No cause for concern either way.

Drop the pan, let's get this figured out.

Kid Vette

If you can't get the valve in the governor to move, you should definitely replace it. I don't think that would cause your wheels to lock up as you describe though. I would replace the governor and then go from there.

Is the fluid dark looking or smell burnt? It should be a nice cherry color.

SIXFOOTER

you have something else inside shelled out, clutch piston or a sprag. Time fot 2004R upgrade

bluegtp

I'll try and pull the pan tonight or tomorrow, I've been so stinkin busy with work and gigs at night.....

i'll try and keep this updated.....


after some shaking and cleaning, I did finally get the little valve inside the governor to move........either way that is/was a problem...

I'm not too sure about a 2004r.....i don't drive the car that much to feel it in the pocket book, plus I'd have to find one, rebuild it, and the buy the crossmember for it....who knows, ya'll may talk me into it!

ryan

TimAT

An overhaul kit with steel plates for a TH 350 is about $65. If there is something broken, parts are readily available and cheap. Even if you do all the HP upgrades, and do the labor yourself, you'll get thru for under $200.

bluegtp

put the governor back in tonight, and still no 1st.....I did get it lay some rubber down in 2nd gear though.....my brother didn't think it could....i had to prove him wrong.

well, I then pulled the pan tonight....here's what I've found......the fluid was sill red, on the darker side though.....it did have a toasty smell to it too.....What's weird is I took a smell from off the dipstick and it smelt fine....when I drained it it def had a burnt smell.

let me know what ya'll think...I don't know much about trannys but I would have to take a wild guess that any type of shavings, the crud in the bottom of it, and the little flakes that looks to be clutch material isn't good at all!

thanks again for the help timAT and guys!


ryan

TimAT

How many miles are on the tranny? Most of the stuff in the pics is nothing to worry about. The larger flakes do look lke clutch material. I'm wondering about seals. You may have a leaking seal in the forward clutch- maybe time to tear it down and reseal.

SIXFOOTER

Yep, I agree. It doesn't take mych to hose up a seal, especially if you have clutch flakes floating around in there. It looks like my 350 did. I am planning on rebuilding it for HP and selling it

Big2Bird

If the fluid is burned, something is wrong.
A normal functioning transmission will not burn the fluid.
Burned fluid=heat=something slipping=something wrong.
They don't repair themselves. Pull it out and rebuild.

Kid Vette

I agree. A small deposit of fine metal particles is normal. Looks like you have some chunks in there though. I would rebuild and get it over with.

7T1vette

If you are locked-up in any gear, the tranny is "toast". At least one clutch is fried so it can't release. Rebuild (or exchange) time. Now is the opportunity for that 700R4 or the 4L80E.

bluegtp

I'm gonna pull it this week sometime (if I can find the time) and start taking it apart to rebuild....


Any weak/problem areas I may need to upgrade in the th350?....It'll be on the street most of it's life and will see a drag strip ever so often...engine modifications are in my signature..I definatley wanna put a shift kit in it and it already has a 3000 stall....should i upgrade the valvebody or just buy a new stock one?.....

thanks again forthe help!



ryan

7T1vette

IMO, the THM350 is a bit "skinny" for the kind of power you are making. It will last for a while, but every "hard" run will make it a little closer to major breakage. I'm guessing you will find out what the "weak link" is in the 350 when you open it up. It needs to be beefed up or replaced with a stouter tranny or you'll likely end up here again.

TimAT

A 34 element sprag and an early style intermediate drum, a Trans-Go kit, set all the clearances within the specs and you're good.

I built one for a 455 GTO that's raced every weekend- 10 years ago. It just keeps going and going and....

bluegtp

yeah man....it's getting rebuilt and upgraded.....whatever broke will get upgraded, but I'm just wondering if there's any other problem issues with these tranny's.....

i've only owned my vette for about 6months so i'm fairly new to the chevy engine/trans scene....


thanks!


ryan

TimAT

If you're looking for max strength, swap to a 400 or a 4L80E. Either one is more $$ and stronger. A THM 350 takes about 25 LESS HP to turn.
There are advantages/dis-advantages either way you go. Somewhere in the deal, there's a compromise.

jimvette999

The size and color of the fiber flakes looks like your manual 2nd gear band. You have enough trash in the pan though to warrant a tear-down IMO. I'd opt for the T400 too if you want a tough trans. The 4L80E is an electronic version of the T400 but a lot more $$$$$$