I am not 100% sure yet, but I think my transmission has no first gear. It is a GM Turbo 400. It is possible that it is pulling out in 2nd gear, which may have been my "no power" issue all along. I am going to test the car out this week to confirm. *I change the fluid and filter when I got the car, so there is virtually no miles on the fluid. IF I have no first gear, what is the likely problem and what do I need to do to fix it? I am sure it will need to go to a shop? I will post my findings either tomorrow or later in the week. Thanks!
If it does in fact have no first, two likely culprits could be a sticky governor valve or a sticking 1-2 valve train in the valvebody. The governor is accessible externally. It's behind the 4-bolt, stamped steel cover at the rear of the transmission. Diagnosing the valve body requires removal of the pan and valve body itself. The good news is, as long as you have second and third, first gear is still there so to speak. First gear is achieved by applying the forward clutch. Second gear adds the intermediate clutch to that forward clutch and third adds the direct clutch to the mix. So, without the forward clutch (first), you wouldn't have second or third either. Your lack of first is likely just a controls issue which should be fixable without removing the transmission.
had that prob with a few derby cars over the years(using older or sat for a long time components) no power didn't want to move till a certain speed, then everything seemed fine till you stopped again. just seemed like it had no power at all. so yea I can see this
Thanks for the replies! Well I am sure hoping that is what it is instead of something with the engine, as it sounds like it would be something cheaper. The car had set for a number of years before I bought it, so something sticking could sure be possible if setting causes that. As many know I have had trouble with this car since 2007 having low power. I was told to check the tranny and I thought it was OK, but now I am wondering. I still haven't had time to take it down the road. Today was a stellar day, but I had so much to do this evening and it is supposed to rain all-day tomorrow, so hopefully I can get to it Friday or Saturday. I am going to the Bristol races on Sunday, but I may can get it after. I will report my findings. Thanks again!
Thanks for the replies. Well I took the wagon down the road twice today and drove it further than I ever have. When I got to the bottom of the hill, I turned around and headed back up (slight incline). I pulled the car down into 1st and it didn't change gears until I shifted into 2nd gear, but it waited until about 22 mph before it changed. On the road I was on, I couldn't get any faster to see if I could get another shift and without insurance or valid registration on the car, I didn't want to take it out on the highway. Me and dad discussed it and I am still unsure. I am wondering if it it wouldn't shift until I put it in 2nd, does that mean I was in first, or could it have been I was in 2nd and it shifted into 3rd? I don't know so, but who knows. Also, I happened to think the car also has the same low power in reverse, so I am thinking isn't that the same ratio as 1st gear? If so, does that mean it isn't stuck in 1st? OR, if it is not engaging in 1st, could reverse also be working off of 2nd gear ratio? I am not sure, I don't know much about transmissions, I am dumb. lol. Other than that, I think I will just let my mechanic have a go at it and see what he thinks, but I need to get my Mercedes repaired next week first... then focus on the wagon. Thanks again! *I had fun driving the wagon today. It drives like a new car and rides a like a dream. Here it is setting in the driveway before my second trip out. (Pardon the mess in the background... we are in the process of remodeling and building onto the house). lol.
I do believe first and reverse are on the same "band' or drum? I thought when mine did it it was possibly the converter. You COULD try to put it safely up on jackstands and put it in reverse and flog the living shat out of it then try 1st. possibly add some TVF (trans valve fix,same company that makes blaster) or trans-x these will loosen bound up innards. Do that before ya do the flogging
While reverse does share use of the manual low band, the ratios are different. First is 2.48 and reverse is 2.07 so there's less mechanical advantage with reverse.
Thanks for the replies. My mechanic looked at the car this evening and said he thought the problem was the transmission. He said it was 42 years old and never been rebuilt and was needed.
To update this - it was the transmission. 1st gear was not working at all and the transmission was shot. Complete rebuild, she will pull any hill. Thanks for all of the replies!
