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Auto Trans Slipping-Help!!!

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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 09:33 PM
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Default Auto Trans Slipping-Help!!!

My first vette is a 1977 L48 Turbo 400 auto. Been running great, has been leaking a very small amount of trans fluid in the garage, fluid looks clean and no smell, took it out for a spin and wouldn't shift out of first.
It will shift manually through the three gears but not on it's own. Fluid okay no odor. Tried to slide under to look and almost knock myself out> Can"t identify exact leak point. Modulator? (looks like a fuel pump) hose is cracked. I don't know much about this beast.....but I love it. Would appreciate the brothers here giving me some ideas! I am hessitate going to a transmission shop, for obvious reasons, but will probably do that. Please advise a newby brother here. Thanks so much!
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 09:48 PM
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Fix the modulator hose, see what happens. Thats manifold vacuume there, you might be surprised
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 09:56 PM
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Fix the hose and seal up the vacuum leak. Chances are that will fix it. If you find that tranny fluid is getting into that line, the vacuum modulator has ruptured its diaphragm and it needs to be replaced.
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 10:09 PM
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Why do you think its a turbo 400?
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 10:38 PM
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Ought to be a Turbo 350 if original. Leak may be from the fill/dip stick tube. If you let them sit, the converter may dump fluid. Shifting issues may be fluid related (full? or not?). Hope its the vacuum servo.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Tim H
Why do you think its a turbo 400?
The original window sticker says M40 Turbo Hydramatic Trans. Previous forum said that was a 400. Do you think that's correct? Thanks.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Meatburner
The original window sticker says M40 Turbo Hydramatic Trans. Previous forum said that was a 400. Do you think that's correct? Thanks.
So does the original paper say L-82?
Not normal to have a 400 with a L-48.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 09:29 AM
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It states an L48 and the M40. Seems like there were a few weird combinations in the later 77's. Maybe mine is one of them. Thanks.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 09:51 AM
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M40 is just the RPO number; it does not mean the tranny is a 400. I have a '76 and the sticker says M40 but it's a 350 tranny. M40 is the RPO all the way back to '68 according to Black Book.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 10:01 AM
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AAAHH HHAA! I simply don't know. I asked about the identifier in an earlier thread which was identified as the turbo 400. Sounds like it is probably the 350, which sounds right. Thanks.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 10:05 AM
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The '75's had the last of the 400's, I believe.
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 10:07 AM
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BTW, the 400 has a rectangular pan and the 350 has a curve in it.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 09:28 PM
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Relieved!!!! Just a vacumn leak at the modulator. Now performs flawless. Thanks for the advise and help.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 10:01 PM
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Hey Burner, do you get up to Columbia very often?

I also had a modulator problem a few days ago. My trans wouldn't shift out of first at all, and the hose was cracked and slid off.

It's running great now with a new hose.

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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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Mathew, I was really happy my first new corvette didn't have a big problem. Runs great now. Don't get to Columbia since my daughter went to school there (short time), you ever in Springfield, we could have a good time. Back on thread, forum brothers have been real helpful and helpful. Thanks and stay in touch.
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