Just recently bought a 1982 F100 with a 351 V8. The body is in very good shape, but there are problems with the automatic transmission. The column shift lever doesn't really "click" into gear, you sort of have to "find" the correct location to put the indicator. More importantly the transmission slips, particularly when going up hill. Sometimes I can get it to engage again by playing with the shifter, sometimes it doesn't work, I kind of coast in "neutral" and I just have to wait til the truck slows down to re-engage it. The fluid level is fine and the fluid looks good (pinkish color).

According to the guy I bought it from it is a "new" transmssion. I suspect that there is something seriously wrong with the tranny, but am hoping that it was installed incorrectly and it just needs
an "adjustment" (and not an adjustment that requires another transmission!) Am I dreaming, or could it be something simple?

As an aside, how difficult would it be to replace the transmission? I am not a complete novice to auto repair, but have not done anything that substantial. Are there any good books on this? I assume simply replacing the tranny would be easier than rebuilding it, but likely more expensive.

I am not sure of the model number of the auto-transmission. How can I tell?

TIA

Bart

 

Your trans may be fine, and just need a little work, but you need to find some help with this one. On the trans inside the lever is a spring loaded clip that locks each selector in place, this is the click you normally feel, but if yours is broken or not working then you may not be in the correct gear and having a hydraulic leak. You need to remove the pan and take a look inside to see if the lock is ok.

Dave

http://a2ztowing.homestead.com/a2ztowing.html

 

Thanks for the input. Would this also cause the transmissionto slip(ie. slipping into "neutral" particularly when going up hill)?

Bart