I have no reverse!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Greenville SC
I have no reverse!
I have an 85 with the 4+3 transmission and I have noticed over the past week that reverse was going out. I know I shouldn't have been driving the car but it is my only vehicle at the moment and I am way short on $$$. Today, I have no reverse at all. The RPM's go up and the car goes nowhere. All of my forward gears work great (with the exception of popping out of second on some downshifts).
Is there anything I can check to get the car going again or am I screwed? If I need to get a new.. um... used transmission, what would be compatible? I can't afford the new 5 speed bolt-on. Is a newer model C4 6 speed or a Camaro 6 speed able to be fit on the car without much trouble? Thanks for your help
Is there anything I can check to get the car going again or am I screwed? If I need to get a new.. um... used transmission, what would be compatible? I can't afford the new 5 speed bolt-on. Is a newer model C4 6 speed or a Camaro 6 speed able to be fit on the car without much trouble? Thanks for your help
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 2
From: Everfrost Second Life
I have an 85 with the 4+3 transmission and I have noticed over the past week that reverse was going out. I know I shouldn't have been driving the car but it is my only vehicle at the moment and I am way short on $$$. Today, I have no reverse at all. The RPM's go up and the car goes nowhere. All of my forward gears work great (with the exception of popping out of second on some downshifts).
Just because you are not using the OD unit doesn't mean that the OD unit is safe. Every second you drive the car, you are grinding and burning it up more and more.
The jumping out of 2nd is also a common 4 speed problem related to a worn 2nd gear , 1-2 shift fork, and 1-2 slider.
You will need to probably get a remanufactured OD unit and rebuild the 4 speed. Try SK speed at 631-957-9427.
Paul
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
New Keisler or Obsolete 4+3
About 6 months ago the factory stopped supporting the 4+3. That is one of the reasons Keisler came to market with a TKO replacement. As parts run dry it will even more expensive to keep the 4+3 working.
Putting a Keisler 5-speed in will eliminate all of the electronics, the dual fluid and other dreaded features of the 4+3, and will look original when you are finished. Installation is straight forward and you can retain your torque arm and electronic speedometer. Give The Driven Man a call for details on installation or IM me with questions.
Putting a Keisler 5-speed in will eliminate all of the electronics, the dual fluid and other dreaded features of the 4+3, and will look original when you are finished. Installation is straight forward and you can retain your torque arm and electronic speedometer. Give The Driven Man a call for details on installation or IM me with questions.
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Oslo, Norway
Hi.
I have an 85 4+3.
I had exactly the same . I heard some transmission noise over time and suddenly one day The car did not go in reverse gear. It was a bearing that had slipped and this bearing had grinded the wall in the overdrive. It was very difficult to get spares. The bearing was easy but the wall was destroyed and I had to get a totally new overdrive or of course a used one. I bought the last issue of the ODs and they were reenforced and much stronger than the early ones. I have had this one now since 1997 and it has worked well. The newer ones did not have the TV cable.
I am sorry but it seems that you have the same problem. I would get a used later edition of the OD which works well. I do not think there is much to do with it. At least that was what I heard from my mechanic.
Good luck in your search for a "new" one.
Jan-Erik
I have an 85 4+3.
I had exactly the same . I heard some transmission noise over time and suddenly one day The car did not go in reverse gear. It was a bearing that had slipped and this bearing had grinded the wall in the overdrive. It was very difficult to get spares. The bearing was easy but the wall was destroyed and I had to get a totally new overdrive or of course a used one. I bought the last issue of the ODs and they were reenforced and much stronger than the early ones. I have had this one now since 1997 and it has worked well. The newer ones did not have the TV cable.
I am sorry but it seems that you have the same problem. I would get a used later edition of the OD which works well. I do not think there is much to do with it. At least that was what I heard from my mechanic.
Good luck in your search for a "new" one.
Jan-Erik
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 207
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From: Duluth Georgia
You also have another option; you can replace the 4+3 with the Richmond 6 speed.
Here's the product description:
Here's the product description:
According to Corvette Fever Magazine, this transmission is the best replacement for the original equipment 4+3 transmission. Unlike the 4+3 which in practical use is a four speed with an overdrive, the Richmond gives you five gears plus an overdrive. Sold as a kit with everything needed to install, we have equipped this transmission with the ideal gear ratio set for the best possible street performance. Includes transmission with shifter.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I hope you have about two large in the savings account.
----- OR -----
Yes, you can get the car going again. Pick up a nice, used transmission on Ebay, throw that thing in there (replace the clutch while you're at it) and drink a beer.
Then, regale us all with horror stories and impossible situations deftly overcome...while WE drink a beer.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
I ain't easily impressed....
Last edited by rocco16; Mar 27, 2007 at 05:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
You also have another option; you can replace the 4+3 with the Richmond 6 speed.
Here's the product description:
Here's the product description:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 2
From: Everfrost Second Life
COMMON OD PROBLEMS ARE AT THIS LINK
The links are for reference I sold all my tooling and parts to SK Speed.
Last edited by 5speeds; Mar 30, 2007 at 01:26 AM.
