I just fired up the Hot Rod for the first time this past weekend. (3-1/2 year build ... '32 Ford 5 Window Coupe) I have a 350 SBC Crate Motor with a 4X2 Offy Intake & Rochester 2bbls. The transmission is a Gearstar 700R4. My problem is that when I put the car in gear, and step on the gas, it barely moves. It's like there's no power to the rear wheels? You can definately tell what gear your in, and the car does move, but it's almost like the motor's not there and someone is pushing the vehicle. Increasing the RPMs has very little effect. I've checked the transmission fluid level and it is full. Any ideas/suggestions? Help!!!
Released the E-brake? Sorry, had to say it. It revs ok? Just no movement in gear? What about reverse?
sounds like theres low line pressure in the ******. maybe try pulling off a cooler line and measure how much flow you have (i dont know the specs but they shouldnt be hard to find, possibly ring gearstar)
Better have the transmission cable hooked up and set PROPERLY or you'll destroy the trans! The cable sets the hydraulic pressure inside the trans and it'll slip like a ****** if you get it wrong. It's NOT simply a kickdown cable on a 700r4.
I'm with Hackerbilt. Sounds like the transmission cable is not set right. Call Gearstar they will help you set it correctly.
X three = TV cable adjustment or a little trash, I had a similar problem with a newly rebuilt 700R4. It would only go into first and nothing else. Per the Hamb I took the TV cable off the carb lever and pulled it toward the radiator and let it go (it should snap back). I did this a few times and it fixed the problem. I'm not sure if this will help but it's worth a try.
I worked at a transmission shop for 10 years i completely agree if the tv cable is not properly adjusted you can turn the ****** into smoke in a city block but if that thing dont move and its slipping im guessing there a mojor internal leak in the trans like the seals in the fwd clutch drum and if its slipping its allready too late adjusting the cable now is going to do nothing
The TV cable is not going tio affect the car moving from a stop. Maybe a stupid question but could you have a high stall converter in it ? I know that if I had just paid big buck's for a ****** I would just call the builder and get his opinion.
If you try everything else, you might drop a couple more quarts of ATF in it. I've seen some dipsticks that weren't marked right. Larry T
you said raising rpm dont help.does motor sound like its under aload.check torque convertor bolts.could the problem be in the rear end.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I finally got off work early enough to call Gearstar and after talking with the technician that built my ******, he said the main issue I was having was not enough transmission fluid in the system. They dyno test each unit before shipping and ship with fluid already in the ******. They ship additional quarts with their transmission packages. I picked up my transmission directly from their factory and never got the extra fluid. I had checked the level several times, when first trying to get the car to move and always got a different reading on the dipstick? (false readings) Per Gearstar, I've added 4 more quarts of fluid (expensive stuff - wow, almost $5/qt) and she's working fine now. I had no idea these systems held that much. Now just a matter of setting the TV Cable & adjusting the vac*** switch. "TRANSMISSION FLUID IS A WONDERFUL THING!" Again, thanks for your ideas. By the way ..... No, the brakes aren't on.
You put in a trans and didn't think you'd need additional fluid??? Next step....check engine oil and gear oil in the rear axle. Hahaha Oh yeah....you DID pack the wheel bearings with grease right!?!? Kidding aside...glad you got it figured out before you damaged the thing. Transmissions are far from cheap! Guess the first drive video will be posted soon!
The Jalopy Journal
