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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: Northern Illinois | hello all, after 3 years i finally got to drive my 55 dodge, unfortunately it will not upshift to 2nd gear. fluid ( dex/merc) level is correct. first and reverse engage as it should with no slippage. never knew the condition of the trans as i bought the car with no engine. i had the pan off to inspect for severe dirt or broken parts.nothing abnormal found. never went through the valve body or clutches, just gave it a good cleaning, adjusted the bands and new external seals and gaskets. thinking it may be a pressure or govenor issue. any advise would be greatly appreciated. thanks!!
Tony |
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Expert
Posts: 3402
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | I assume you mean no 2-3 upshift as it starts in 2cnd. Proper linkage adjustment is the first thing to check, oe manual is need to do this correctly, then move on to the governor. The manual also has a good diagnostic chart.
Edited by Shep 2021-09-03 4:49 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: Northern Illinois | thanks shep. i do have a factory manual, adjusted the throttle linkage (about an inch out of adjustment) was hoping that would be the problem. made no difference. time to buy some gauges and check pressures.
Tony |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9699
Location: So. Cal | I just got my pink '56 Belvedere running from a long sleep, and found the same thing wrong with my transmission. I've never worked on an automatic so I will be happy to hear what you find out. |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: Northern Illinois | ill keep you posted. im fearing a teardown is coming |
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Expert
Posts: 3780
Location: NorCal | 2nd gear (direct) is a function of the direct clutch. If the direct clutch is not engaging, it could be because of worn metal sealing rings or hardened/shrunken rubber seals. If it's the latter, an additive like Trans-X might rejuvenate the seals.
To be absolutely sure it's not a linkage adjustment problem, temporarily disconnect the throttle control lever at the transmission and push the lever full forward...if it still won't upshift, the problem is internal. |
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Expert
Posts: 3402
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | Guys, the governor controls the 2-3 shift, assuming proper throttle pressure adjustment, first thing to check, before a teardown. |
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Veteran
Posts: 129
| I had an issue with my powerflite where it wouldn't shift sometimes. Ended up being the rear servo was cracked at the pivot point. You can check by dropping the pan and look at the rear servo to arm contact point. It could be so many things.... look at a powerflite diagnostic flow chart thingy to know where to start looking |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9699
Location: So. Cal | My problem isn't that it won't shift, but when it does shift, there is no engagement. It just coasts until it slows down enough for 1st gear to engage. |
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Expert
Posts: 3402
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | And when were going to release that important info to get more meaningful advice? |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9918
Location: Lower Mainland BC | Shep - 2021-09-04 2:09 PM
Guys, the governor controls the 2-3 shift, assuming proper throttle pressure adjustment, first thing to check, before a teardown.
Sorry. Semantics. No 2-3 shift in a Powerflite, just 1-2 but probably the same (potential) throttle pressure adjustment issue.
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Expert
Posts: 3402
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | Yup, as internal gearing goes I call it second. You are correct it really is first and high. |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: Northern Illinois | thanks guys for all your input. i did adjust the throttle linkage as per the service manual. it was about 3/4 out of adjustment. sadly no change. next step i will try is disconnect the linkage on the trans to see if that makes a difference. if no difference then ill do a governor pressure test, maybe tomorrow. im still thinking teardown, as when i had the tail shaft off i remember checking the governor for movement. luckily i have 2 1955 air cooled powerflites for spares. i may just rebiuld one of them
Tony |
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Expert
Posts: 3780
Location: NorCal | The fact that it does shift but does not engage eliminates the governor...the governor has told the trans to shift but the direct clutch isn't engaging and transferring the power; the fault is in the direct clutch. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9699
Location: So. Cal | Thanks John. Kinda what I assumed, but now I know. |
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