Hello,

First post here - I'm inexperienced and need a couple opinions before I go into a mechanic.

The issue:
On occasion when I shift into drive from park it does not engage. I have to slide the truck back into park or reverse or neutral and rev the engine a bit to get it to actually engage in drive. This only happens sometimes, and it is worse when cold or when on a steep slope. Once warm and driving, it's perfectly fine.

The truck is in relatively decent shape for its age. There is other work on the vehicle that could be done. I am just trying to gauge whether to invest in fixing the vehicle or simply riding it out.

Any thoughts on the transmission issue are appreciated.

1986 F150, Explorer, V8, 2WD, Automatic

Thanks.

 

Sounds like the seals for the forward clutch are hard. You can put a little brake fluid in it and get some more miles from it. The brake fluid will swell the seals and help them seal again.

 

So, if the seals are gone, I lose pressure and the clutch does not engage properly?

 

yep.
there are pistons that have rubber seals around the outside of them and if fluid bypassing them the piston can't apply pressure.

I would also check the ATF level too if low will kind of do the same thing.
Dave - - - -

 

Agreed with the hard seals thing. My C6 was doing the same thing... wouldn't engage gears when cold. Once the pickup warmed up, no problem. Did a rebuild, replaced all the rubber seals and they were hard/inflexible. Works great now.

 

I would check the fluid level. Once you get it going drive it for 15 minutes or so to get it fully warmed up. Find a level spot to park it and leave the engine running and put the trans in park. Get a rag and pull the dipstick out of the trans. Wipe the end off, and look at it, you should see a "H" and a "C". Put the dipstick back in and pull it out. You want the fluid up near the "H". If it's low, add a quart and then check it again.

The fluid expands when it gets hot, so it can run ok when it's hot, not so good when it's cold.