62 Cruise-O-Matic - Won't shift to 3rd Gear

ihateminimumwage · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 08:03 PM

I went out of town for a week, and let my ol' lady drive my 62 Thunderbird. It was running great the whole time, but when I got back to town it started overheating. Turns out were some pinhole leaks in the radiator, Drove it a bit around town, and then parked yesterday. Messed with the radiator to get it to stop leaking, put it all back together and drove to work today.

I suddenly don't have 3rd gear. Shifts fine through 1-2, but just won't even try to hit 3rd. I checked the vacuum line going to the modulator with a vacuum gauge, and it read a steady 15 at idle, the same as the motor. I'm hoping my modulator is just shot, because I'm far from having the money for a rebuild. Anything else I should be checking for?

NumberDummy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihateminimumwage

I went out of town for a week, and let my ol' lady drive my 62 Thunderbird. It was running great the whole time, but when I got back to town it started overheating. Turns out were some pinhole leaks in the radiator, Drove it a bit around town, and then parked yesterday. Messed with the radiator to get it to stop leaking, put it all back together and drove to work today.

I suddenly don't have 3rd gear. Shifts fine through 1-2, but just won't even try to hit 3rd. I checked the vacuum line going to the modulator with a vacuum gauge, and it read a steady 15 at idle, the same as the motor. I'm hoping my modulator is just shot, because I'm far from having the money for a rebuild. Anything else I should be checking for?

The valve is C1AZ-7A377-A (Motorcraft TM-1)

ihateminimumwage · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 09:31 PM

Thanks ND. I called one of the local parts shops, and I think the kid was looking up the wrong part. He said he'd have to order it, and it would be $41! I called the Kragen down the street, and they have it in stock for $7.99. Screw in, blue stripe, sounds like the one in my hand. I'm going to go check on it tomorrow.

I just pulled the old modulator, when I push the rod in, it pumps fine. The fluid that came out was pink and looked great, not burnt or discolored whatsoever...

stuart1 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:50 AM

See you in the "other" forum.

Stu

Lazy K · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 12:11 PM

Here`s what my book says- defective governor, valve body needs cleaning, rear clutch defective, leakage in hydraulic system or fluid distributor sleeve in output shaft defective. Good luck.