Hey folks,

I ran my Valiant at the dragstrip for the first time on Saturday with, AFAIK, the stock '66 904. Motor is stock rebuilt except for 2X1 offy and Clifford street rod headers. Fluid is decent smelling and 1/2 is new, but filter and internal conditions unknown. Probably has 120k on it. Stock 2.93 axle ratio. Shifts were pretty crisp or about avg for a trans in decent shape of that vintage, not hard or slippery.

Adjusted kickdown linkage so that it is almost pushed fully back at WOT.

Problem was when I held the gear selector in 1st, I tried to shift around 4k rpm (40MPH) and it just stuck in 1st until I let off. Then it hit 2nd and I continued normally. If I shifted before about 30MPH, it wouldn't do it, but would shift right into 2nd. No problems in drive.

Any thoughts on what this might be? Sticking valve body?

I have another rebuilt trans around, but might want to make this one right if it's simple. Mostly I'm just curious!

Thankya,

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Start with the easy stuff; shift linkage? Do the mounts let the engine move far enough to tweak the linkage at WOT? I have that problem with my truck, but I'm too lazy to fix it.
Has anyone been into the trans, maybe turned up the pressure screw? If it's turned too much you have to really sing it to move the governor.
Of course you'd have the same problem with auto shifts, so I don't think that's it.
When does it upshift when left in Drive?

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"A mechanic is Somebody."
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Thanks for reply. Not the linkage. Upshifts at 20-25 in drive at WOT, so pressure and KD are not too high.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Well, I don't know what else would do that, then. If it works in auto mode, seems like the gov/shift valves are working, so what does that leave?
Hmmm...
Maybe it's time for a late model VB with part throttle KD anyway

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

One thing that happens when you put it in manual low that doesn't happen when leaving it in drive is the reverse band is applied when in low for extra holding power and to help support the sprag in the rear of the case. I wouldn't think it's the reverse band servo sticking, that would make the car nosedive when the second gear band applied during the shift to second.
It's probably a valve body problem. I'd pull the pan and check the rooster comb first to see if it's bent and not correctly positioning the spool valve when in manual low. It's possible the comb is not moving the spool valve right after the shift to second, something on the comb may be hanging the spool valve up. Or the spool may be sticking in it's bore.
That's my guess for the first thing to look at.

Cecil

Thanks Cecil - you da man. I'll check that out.

Actually, it just occurred to me that I have a 30k mi rebuilt 904 with a shift kit and deep pan sitting in my garage. Might just swap that in.

See ya in Bristol, eh?

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Same thing happened to my duster once upon a time. I changed back to a stock filter (from brass wire mesh) and carefully polished up all the valves in the valve body with super-fine emery paper being careful not to polish down the sharp edges, and no more probs.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!