Hi Everyone,

I have a 73 Camaro with 350 and I have some trouble shifting the tranny (Automatic) when the car is "cold". I am able to my shifter up and down through all of the gears, but it just won't engage any of the gears until after about 1-3 minutes of idling the engine. Afterwards I can shift gears just fine, even after turning my car off and on again. Also the car feels just fine when driving when driving (no slippage, rattles, etc.)

My guess is that it might be the torque converter but I would like have some input from you guys before I start.

Thanks in advance

 

I know this might be obvious, but have you checked the fluid level? Run it about 5 minutes, then check it running, in neutral. If the level is up, then you most likely have a clutch pack, or valve body issue. Either can cause the symtons you're having.

 

^^ +1 on the fluid level. Maybe time to change the filter as well.

Also if it was the TQC you should be able to revv the engine to get it to engauge.

Massey

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input.
I checked the fluid levels and they seem fine. The fluid color also look good.

is it time to for a new tranny?

 

Service the trans first. WHen you are in there have a good look at the valve body and make sure it does not look really rusty or that there is not anything that should not be in there, in there. If the valve body does look a little rusty then I would remove the steel part of it and check that all the spool valves are free to move as they should. Be careful not to tear the gasket, and also be careful not to lose the check *****. There should be 2 or 3 of them in there.

Massey

 

Sounds like time for a new tranny to me, but as Massey said, dropping the pan and looking at what's sitting in the bottom of the pan wont cost anything. Even with a great tranny I'd expect a bit of particles from clutch wear, but if it's heavy with metallic flakes I'd not go further. Just button it up and get it rebuilt, or find a replacement.
Good used TH350's are really cheap! Even new ones fully built aren't bad if you buy them online. I bought the 350 in my gasser for $220 with the driveline, and it had less than 500 miles on it, with a shift kit and a 2200 stall converter.

 

Here's a dumb question. Have you looked at the shifter and linkage? Is there anything bound up? Not shifting as in it doesn't shift on its own or you can't manually move the shifter between gears? Is the vac modulator hose hooked up and is the hose itself free of damage?

 

Re-read his post Damon. He said it shifts through fine, but wont move for several minutes.

 

Dooooo. Ok I still would look at the vac modulator and the filter. Other then that it sounds like the pump is going out.

 

Okay I think I have some good ideas as to where to start looking. I will try some stuff out this weekend and post my results

Thanks