Hello all, I am about trade my 98 4-runner which is my daily for a 52 coronet coupe with 53,000 original miles. It has the flat 6, gyro-matic combo. I've read a ton on the trans but nothing about what I encountered. While driving the car in 3rd gear it seems to have trouble shifting into 4th. Also when driving in either 3rd or 4th, when I release the accelerator pedal and get back on it the trans won't engage and the car is in neutral. The gear lever does not physically move to neutral but the car acts as though it's in neutral. I didn't check the fluid level in the trans and I am hoping that possibly the fluid is low thus causing it to not have enough pressure to engage. Has anyone heard of this happening to this trans before or anyone have any suggestions. I have to decide whether to get the car in a few hours. I know if I had it in my possession I'd most likely be able to fix the problem but I want to make sure it does not end up being something that cost me a ton of cash. Please anyone who can offer up some ideas or insight fire away as I don't have that much time to make a decision. Thank you in advance
When you say you read a ton can you be more specific? I have to assume from that, that you know how the trans works yet, some of the things you say indicate otherwise. Briefly, in normal driving you shift into High range, by stepping on the clutch and pulling the gearshift straight down. Engage the clutch and drive away as if it was an automatic. At this time you will be in low gear (of High range) which is like 3d. When you get going 14 MPH or faster lift off the gas pedal and you should hear a soft *click-clack* from under the floor. When you step on the gas again you should be in high gear (of high range) or 4th. If the trans does not shift right first check the idle. The engine needs to idle right down to under 500 RPM. Don't worry it will tick over at 400 to 450 if everything is working right. If the engine does not idle down it will not shift. Check the oil level in the trans, there is a pipe plug about half way up on the right side. Stick your finger in, if it gets wet there is enough oil. It should be 10W motor oil, or TDH tractor oil, ISO22 or ISO32 grade. Do not use gear oil or auto trans fluid. Generally check over the wiring from the coil to the carb and to the trans. Look for frayed or broken wires or insulation falling off. There is a box on the air cleaner strut, the wires go from the coil, to the box, to the carb and transmission. Another thing that can happen after many years, is the governor points get gummed up with oil. Be careful if you clean them, they are made of soft silver. Spray with contact cleaner and drag a strip of white paper through them until the paper comes out clean. Do not use sandpaper or points file. This web site has the factory books for diagnosing the trans and how it works. Don't worry about it being the 1949 Imperial model they work basically the same. The trans is the same, there may be a slightly different fluid drive setup. There are other books on the same site if you go up a page. http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/024/cover.htm
The Jalopy Journal
