The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 350 turbo won't shift

What to do?? I even over filled it to make sure it was full, still won't shift?The vacuum is from the intake manifold, between the dist and the carb,the line to the modulator is clear, any ideals??

Can you share some more info, like is it used, rebuilt, give some background and maybe that will help you get a quicker response.

A quick note,The trany was working good when removed a few years ago,

What do you mean it won't shift? From park into any gear, or from 1st to 2nd? will it shift manually?

I'm sorry. It wont shift from 1st to 2sd when you put it in drive. It just stays in low??

do other gears work? does reverse work? can you shift it manually?

Hot Rod,
Remove the round cover on the side of the trans. with the bail wire over it, the wire may be missing.Pull the governor out and turn it with gear up and move the weights back and forth make sure the spring or the valve isn't stuck.you will loose minimal oil.More than likely it is gummed up.Nothing a little carb clean wont cure.

Hy hot rod, It sounds like the governor is stuck or the nylon drive gear is worn out, the governor is under a stamped steel cover near the back of the transmission I think a wire strap retains it on that transmission, take the cover off and pull the governor out and inspect the gear, if it's okay then the valve itself may be stuck or jammed by something, hope that helps.

go for the governor, its typical the a 350 tranny to have it stick after sitting around. Ussally it shears off the plastic gear on the back side. Easy to fix and dont cost much.

Thanks Guys, I'll try to find the governer tomorrow and see if its stuck.Pacrat48, it does go into reverse ok and forward ok but just won,t shift out of 1st.

Over filling the trans will also cause problems. Bring the level back down to where it needs to be. Also try to shift it manually starting in 1st and working your way up to 3rd. Also if the trans was ever tipped onto it's side or front or even knocked around the check balls could have been knocked out of place.

I had a 350 trans that I rebuilt and had it sitting on the floor of an unheated garage for a
couple of years before I put it in my pickup.It
wouldn't shift out of low,so I pulled the governor out and it was fine. Next I dropped the pan and removed the valve body,everything looked O.K. Finally I took the vacuum modulator out and found the modulation pin didn't move freely,took it out and found a small amount of surface rust
on it. Polished with a piece of emery cloth and
reinstalled it. It worked fine. I live in an area that is humid and suspect over the 2 years it had condensed some moisture on the pin. I'd
still bet on the governor having problems,but
thought I would mention this.

Arnie

The governor is a good bet as stated above.Also check the detent cable for resistance.If the plunger sticks in the valve body it will stay in low.It can happen if someone mashes down on the pedal.

Thanks guys, I'll check the governor ,detent cable, and the modular valve too on friday. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone,and thanks for the help.

If all else fails, this happened to one of my working 350s that sat for 2 years. When I went to drive it, after a little lurch, there was little or no forward movement. The fiber on the clutches dried up and flaked off when I started it up.

HI, just an update on the trany, it was the modulator ,put on a new one and it shifts fine. Couldn't have done it without you guys, what a GREAT web site this is!!!Thanks again.