I’m having some shifting issues with my truck and want to replace the governor. It’s a 1971 Ranger, 360. Can anyone tell me the part number? I see lots for sale but don’t know if they are right for my truck.

 

Look for "modulator" instead. Make sure your vacuum line is good first.

 

Thanks but I want to replace the governor, not the modulator. My modulator is working fine.

 

What makes you think the governor is bad? Those are pretty simple contraptions a couple of springs and pistons. If a piston is stuck, you can just remove the thing clean it up and it should be good to go.
They are easy to change just put a block under the pan to support the trans and remove the tail shaft housing, unbolt it and slide it off the output shaft.
The only way to find a part number is to get all the info off the ID tag bolted to the servo cover. Even then finding the exact one may be impossible since all that stuff has been obsoleted for years. If it needs replaced one for a truck will work just fine.
Your problem could be the seal rings on the governor distributor if that is the case the trans has to come out and be totally dissembled.

 

The first time I take off for the day, the trans doesn't want to shift out of first. I can shift it into 2nd manually and it shifts fine so I don't think there is anything wrong with 2nd gear and I've already replaced the modulator. After 1/4 to 1/2 mile, it will start to shift okay and it's fine for the rest of the day except that at times it will not shift down to first at a stop and will take off in 2nd. For me, the governor is the most likely culprit and I am willing to pull this one and clean it but in the event I find something wrong with it I want to be able to get a replacement without having to figure out how and where so I was trying to head that off before I pull the truck apart.

 

It's true the governor can cause your problem but unfortunately so can a sticking 1-2 shift valve and a couple of other things. If it were mine the first thing, I would do is check the line pressure. If your chassis manual doesn't say what the pressure should be I would want to see at least 80 psi at 1000-1200 rpm. If it is low and you can't get it up by adjusting the modulator it's probably time to pull the trans and freshen it up. Good Luck hope it is an easy fix.

 

Sticky shift cold can be contaminated fluid. drain a bit, check for debris. good luck.

 

I have it pulled apart right now to replace the shift shaft and kickdown seals along with the band adjustment nut. I'll look over the valve body while I have it out. I have not been able to get the nut off of the output shaft yet so I haven't made it all the way to the governor yet but I'll get it loose sooner or later. It will get a fresh filter and fluid when it goes back together. I don't suspect that I have pressure problems because as soon as it starts shifting, it shifts fine and positive. I can manually shift to 2nd when it is stuck and it shifts very firm. If I had low pressure I would expect softer shifting in that case.

On another note, the shift detent is vague at best at the shifter inside. I was hoping to see something I could adjust or modify to give it a better feel inside the transmission but there isn't much there. Any suggestions to give the shifter a better, more positive feel? Mine will occasionally shift down to 2nd if I hit a rough bump in the road. Telling whether you are in D or 2 is kind of a guessing game. Looks like there is a plunger/spring system to detent the shift valve. Has anyone tried to make that firmer to improve the feel?

 

If you have the valve body out, you should put a Transgo SK-6 shift kit in there. TransGo SK 6 Shift Kit | eBay
Your sloppy shifter is most likely a problem with wear in the steering column or linkage. The shift lever engages notches in there and when the shift lever and those notches are worn it won't stay put.

 

I went through the valve body and there were several sticky valves in there that I cleaned up and have working better. The governor felt really good when I pulled it out so I don't think there was anything wrong there.

The plunger for the shift detent was worn and not sitting as deep in the valve notches as it should so I cleaned that up and put a shim under the spring to give it just a little more tension. It feels better but still not great.

I'm having a weird issue with the front u-joint that I am going to search on and post about if I can find an answer.