I have recently purchased my first car with a reverse pattern valve body. I bought it like this, the previous owner installed it shortly before i bought it. it is a street car, and I intend to continue to drive it 90% of time on the street. I don't mind the manual shifting while driving it, but my main concern/questions are: Should I only down shift when I have come to a stop? Or can I down shift it manually?(like a kick-down in a normal auto). Also if I do a burnout, should I do that any different? I remember someone tell me long time ago, if u have a manual valve body, do a burnout in 2nd gear. If not, he said I could blow up the planetary gears. I wanted to ask you guys for sure, before I start trying to figure it out on my own. thanks for any help! The car is a 72' 340 Demon 727 8 3/4 sure grip 3:55

Do you know if it has low band apply? If it doesn't, don't back off in 1st and then pick up the throttle again. Yes, you can downshift it manually but I probably wouldn't go to 1st if you're off throttle.
Burnout starts in 2nd either way.

I don't know if it has low band. The older gentleman that built the car actually passed away shortly after he completed it. I bought the car from his daughter, who had no interest in it, and unfortunately knew absolutely nothing about the car..I don't know if the car can smoke em in 2nd gear...

Try to determine the brand name, or a part # if one is stamped on it. Any receipts?
In the water, buzzing the tires in 2nd should be easy if the motor makes any power at all and you have a line-loc.

I'll pull the pan off tommorow and get any info I can, and take some pics also. maybe I'll pull it into the road and throw some water down and light em up In 2nd before I do that!! thanks for the info

to figure out if it a low band apply or not..

start in first gear accelerate..let off the gas...

does the transmission braking slow the car down or is it coasting like it is in neutral.

low band apply slows the car down ...non low band apply feels like the car is coasting in neutral.

You can downshift from 3rd -2nd to accelerate like a kickdown. I don't downshift mine to slow down, use the brakes. When car slows, then down shift. Saves wear and tear on trans. I always start burnouts in 1st and shift into second as soon as rpm's come up. Been doing that since '79 when I bought my 1st mvb. Slicks or street tires.

If the VB does have LBA you'll quickly learn that downshifting to 1st while the car is rolling will produce an uncomfortable lurch.

Ok, then I don't have low band first. Because if I let off on the gas, it coasts like its in neutral. Since it's not low band, should I start in 1st gear, then shift to 2nd when I'm doing a burnout (powerbrake), dont have a line loc, its a street car. thnks for info guys