The '52 Olds is running great now ('70's Olds 350 and same year automatic tranny I think), but been sitting awhile. The column shifts into each gear, but will not engage right away... a little revving on the engine and then she slowly engages... what's up with that? Fluid sludged? Pressure plate fried? The brakes go to the floor too, could that be the culprit? Could the brake/clutch be out of sync? Need help ASAP... HAMBer coming to look at it soon (ignore this thread Porknbeaner) and I'd like for it to shift right for him. I've got it running like a top... somebody help me to get it shifting.
Brakes have got nothing to do with it. Try a fluid and filter change; it's about the only minor thing you can do.
sounds like a ck valve in the valve body is not closing and allows the torque convertor to drain the fluid back into the pan. the delay could be while the convertor is re-filling Larry
Yeah thats what I'm thinking too. If it works fine throughout the day, but doesn't want to move after setting for a few days, then the convertor is draining back. Could also be convertor/pump seal. Once your driving, does it shift normal?
well, gave it fluid, tried again, and still gives me the same thing... revv it and it will catch reverse a little... unrev, and it rolls back into it's wheelholes in the yard. Tranny needs a good goin' over i do believe
did you check the fluid level a couple times with the engine running, in park, after you added some and tried to move the car? if not, check it again, look close at the dipstick (assuming it has one!)
Having a similar issue right now on the 54 Oldsmobile I just got. Fluid pouring out from what looks like the torque convertor seal. Will pulling out the tranny to re-seal fix the issue, or does the entire transmission need to be pulled out? Has a rebuild receipt from 2003, runs and shifts good, but lots of fluid when you're sitting. Anyone know where to buy a new gasket and seal kit?
The easiest and cheapest thing to do is give it a fluid and filter change. Something is probably varnished up in the valve body. If that fails, yank the unit and have a shop rebuild it for you. Bob
It's dumping pretty good from underneath. Dump remainder of tranny fluid and refill again? Will also dump rearend and motor oil while at it, but concerned with the amount dripping and it burning up that clutch
I'm not sure if the '54 has a separate torque converter, I'm more familiar with the later slim jim 400s. At any rate, it has to come out to be resealed. When I needed the one in my '64 done, I took it into a local transmission shop and he did it on the spot on the bench for me. Bob
did you hook up the tv cable. Them 350's will blow the fuck up with out it. Vaccume modulator hooked up? Explosions. If it's fucked up, a filter aint gunna fix it. it's like putting a new fram on a blown up small block.
Ok most local shops dont want to touch it, found a guy who will but said rather rebuild while it's off. I said well I don't need that bill if it doesn't need it, so looked for a seal and gasket kit online, FATSO carries one, also found one on egay but not sure if the hydro is a turbo or not, would they have the same size gaskets?
turbo 350 has a kick-down cable, not a TV cable. Will work without it, just won't drop into lower gear for acceleration. Vacuum modulator not hooked up makes for poor driveability, don't know if that will kill one of not, but I doubt it. TV cables are on 2004r and 700r4.
Had searched through a few others to find more related information first. Purchased an external seal kit from FATSO Transmissions in New Jersey. $63.18 for a seal kit including the gasket. Will give it a whirl this weekend, hopefully just a seal leak....fingers crossed.
Ok, tranny came out, from the 32 bolts that hold it in. Heavy as hell,came out, all gaskets and seal were replaced. Cleaned up real nice. Went back in on Sunday. Ran for about 10 minutes, and got about 8 quarts in before....it started to leak again. Also even after 10 quarts no tranny fluid shows up on dipstick. Where the hell can it be leaking from? anyone have a manual of how its put together better than diagrams? or original shop manual? From other discussion, seems there is a gasket behind the flywheel? Those 6 bolts need to come off and replace that gasket? If it is from there any way to determine if that may be the source of the leak? I realize the post and question are kind of everywhere, so if you want to try an redirect a question feel free
When you say all gaskets and seal were replaced, did you replace the front seal behind the torus cover (fluid coupling)? This would explain losing fluid like you are. The 54 Olds should be a "slant pan". You obviously replace pan and side cover gaskets. Now for the flywheel, my motors manuals show a gasket between the flywheel and crankshaft. I have used a gasket on one of my hydramatics with no problem. But longtime hydro enthusiasts claim you should not use a gasket, and instead use sealer such as pliobond 30 or equivalent. The sealer is applied to the flywheel and crankshaft flange and the flywheel mounting screw threads. About the only other thing to look for is a defective hub on the torus cover where the seal lip contacts. Try PM'ing Yorgatron for his suggestions. Like the al bundy avatar.
Ok, pulled tranny again yesterday. Worked from the flywheel forward. Pulled flywheel, looked in great shape, no cracks or knicks. Cleaned it real well, sealed where previous gasket was, and reinstalled tranny. 10 minutes later (after the 2 hours of reinstalling the tranny again) and drip drip puddle, same spot we were. It's impossible to see where the drip is coming from being the flywheel and tranny have that cast iron casing, as well as the cross member across it. You can't see jack! Out of ideas....Defective hub? Who knows...
OK, here is what we need to do. First take the small 3x3 inspection cover off. This might get you enough area to view. Then with the car going and using an inspection mirror and flashlight see if you can spot where the fluid is coming from. If it is front of the flywheel (engine side) then it probably is still leaking from flywheel. But if it is leaking from transmission side it could be the torus hub and seal that is the culprit. WOT could the torus cover be cracked, and what about the drain plug, does it leak there. Even if you cannot get the mirror up there, you should be able where the drip drip side of the opening it is coming from. Try that out first. BTW: Did u use a gasket on the flywheel or some sealer or both? Also you never mentioned if you replaced the front seal behind the torus cover?
The Jalopy Journal
