Thanks for all the good info.
Let it get in to 3rd gear then pull the shifter down to 2nd - what happens. If it runs away or feels like it goes in to neutral the front band could be out - try that and post your results.
This was spot on. Locked out the overdrive and downshifted to second and the rpms went up(slipping or freewheeling).
Dropped the pan, and definitely something going on with the front band. I can move the lever downward by the servo a large amount(1.25 inches) then it meets resistance and seems to engage the band. Does a strut issue seem likely or a broken band?
Not always; at the loose end of the adjustment, the band strut will sometimes pop out.
I did not find band strut loose in the pan. Any chance this is sitting on top of the valvebody?
