Hi all,

I have an '81 Bronco with 302 and C6. When I first start the truck after it has sat a while (its cold) and shift to D or 1, it may take the tranny a couple minutes before it actually engages. The colder it is outside or the longer it has sat without starting (sometimes more than a week), the longer it takes before the tranny engages. Sometimes I have to bump rev it up to about 3K to get it to engage. Once it does engage though, it won't do the delay trick again the rest of the day, no matter how many restarts. I've also noticed a little whir sound when it does finally engage that first time. The sound is very short and just at the moment it grabs.
It has a couple shifting oddities as well. The 2-3 shift happens real quickly after the 1-2 shift. 1st gear winds out OK, but it just won't hold 2nd at all, unless I manually shift it then it does fine. When I drive it in D, I hardly see 2nd gear! This kinda sucks when trying to get on the interstate. The other problem is that it won't downshift to 1st unless it is completely stopped.

Is there anything short of a rebuild that I can do for these problems. Since it shifts good manually and doesn't slip, and I only drive it once or twice a week, I'll probably keep driving it till it quits before I rebuild or replace it.

BTW, I have changed fluid and filter with no affect on these symptoms.

Appreciate and help / comments.

Brett

 

You could try a conditioner in the fluid.
We have places here that would do a service and thorough check for $20.03.
Maybe consult a tranny shop.
They should have free check-ups

 

Hey country z,

Welcome to FTE!!

My truck does the EXACT same thing. When you find out what it is, let us know!

Again, welcome!

Chuck

 

I had the *exact* same experience with a 1966 GM TH400 tranny. Same 'slow to engage' when cold, same shifting pattern, wouldn't kick down to first until a complete stop, etc.

It's the seals and line pressure. I tried a conditioner, but it didn't improve anything. Once the seals are at this point, I'm not sure there's much else you can do, other than 1) live with it, or 2) rebuild it.

I lived with it. And then sold it!

 

Hey, thanks guys. Not the best news but oh well....can't expect much more from an original tranny with about 261K on it. Guess I'll keep abusing it till it quits moving altogether.

Brett