Transmission 1971 Lemans Sport

TGasparolo

TGasparolo

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All,

Hello again, my second post. Took the car out today for a drive and it won't shift. I've had the car since 1991 an have never touched the transmission. It's an automatic with a 350 V8, very lucky! My question is rebuild or replace and if replace recommendations please.

Thank you!

Tom G
 
Again, if this is primarily a cruiser, a good trans guy can build a th350 to handle anything you need. I over-built mine and it shifts great and essentially set up to progressively shift to the amount that I push it. Nice and smooth when I am just cruising around and nice and hard when I am pushing it.
 
before you do anything check if the vacuum modulator has failed or the vacuum line going to the modulator has disconnected or cracked. The modulator controls upshifting.
 
X2, also check the fluid level, but I would bet the Vacuum line to the modulator either became disconnected (has happened to me) or as mentioned one of the short hoses on the hard line to the modulator has broken or has a hole. One is under the hood connected to the rear of the intake manifold, the other is under the car attached to the vacuum modulator.
If the fluid level is good, and the line is connected and the hoses are good I would replace the modulator before having the trans rebuilt/replaced. They cost about $20 and only have 1 small bolt that holds it in. The only caution I would give is soak the bolt in penetrating oil for a few days before trying to take it out. The aluminum case and the steel bolt can rust themselves together if you live in an area were the salt air can speed up corrosion.
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Thank you very much for all the replies! I'm looking at the vacuum line and even if that's what it is I might just rebuild or replace. I bought the car as a gift to myself for surviving Desert Storm and haven't touched the transmission since I bought it in 1991. I think it's original so I've been very lucky.

Again thank you,

Tom Gasparolo
 
Thanks for your service. If most of the car is original and in good shape, rebuild do not replace.
 
Thank you for your advice.

I rebuilt the transmission, installed a shift kit and it runs great! All for $1200. Don't know if that's a lot or a little but I actually went to several transmission shops and found one in Plantation Florida where the manager and the mechanics were old school. I had to leave the car for a week to go out of town and the owner left the care on a lift even after the job was complete to prevent any accidental damage to the car.

If anyone is interested the name of the shop is Transmission King and the manager's name is Melvin. Highly recommend them.

Tom
 
excellant glad it worked out, I'm a Melvin too!
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