Torqueflite sat all summer, now it doesn't shift right

[SixGunner]

Ok, this is weird.

I've got an 84 Ram 150 4x4 I use for a winter beater. It's a 360/727 with a small stall converter (oversize tires... )

It sat all summer, in the driveway. I drove it maybe 3 times since May, then got it ready for winter by changing my leaking intake manifold gasket, yay.

After driving it off and on to work this week (about a 30 mile round trip) I noticed that it won't shift into Drive unless I'm at about 45 MPH, and let off the throttle. Then it shifts to Drive, but if I go below 45 it shifts into second. The oil level is good, and I changed the filter last winter.

What gives?

Jay

[ehostler]

sounds like a problem with one of the seals inside the tranny. The seal isn't holding enough pressure to allow the tranny shift properly.

JK should be able to give you alot more information than that...

[SixGunner]

That makes sense. I noticed it was "marking it's territory" but I thought it was just the run off from when I cleaned the top of the engine off to do the gasket. On closer inspection, it seems it's coming out of the dust cover at the bottom of the trans. Good call.

Yuk. I'll try to nurse it thru the winter I guess (thank goodness I don't have anywhere to go FAST ) I only drive it when it snows, so it shouldn't be a big deal, since it only snows like 3 times in Michigan anymore.

Thanks for the tip, and if anyone else has any ideas, I'm all ears.

Jay

[John Kunkel]

Leaking seals in the front clutch would explain the late 2-3 upshift and the need to raise the throttle but if the clutch released below 45 it wouldn't shift down to 2nd, it would just freewheel.

It's possible that you disturbed the throttle pressure linkage setting when you resealed the intake manifold.

[SixGunner]

That could be. The truck has a Lokar cable that's attached to the factory bracket, and I was as careful as could be about just lifting it up and moving it over, but it's possible I bumped it. Another thing to check out when the rain stops!

Thanks.

Jay

[pcrmike]

Good call John, I was about to suggest that. :-)PCRMike

[supernac]

I've got the lokar set up as well. You need a little more slack in the cable to keep it from doing that. Nothing wrong with the tranny.

[ewmopar383]

make sure the passing gear lever isn't sticking as well would also cause the problem.

[SixGunner]

Thanks for all the tips! I'll check em all out tomorrow in the daylight!

Jay