Hello all, it's been a while since I last logged in but I'm hoping you guys can help me out. Car is my signature car, '71 Satellite with 360 magnum based 408/904 with 8.75 rear with 3.23 suregrip. I just had the transmission rebuilt (5-6 weeks ago) right before I moved from Texas to Wisconsin. Problem is it's not shifting right. I have the car in storage until I get back to Texas in June and plan to call the shop tomorrow to see about getting it looked at.

Here's the symptoms. Under hard acceleration the car doesn't shift into the next gear and "go". It will freewheel almost like it's in neutral and stay like that until I ease off the gas, then it will shift and accelerate hard as I get back on the gas. I noticed the trans kickdown linkage was not installed correctly at the carb. It was missing the spring that held it forward to the carb, so it wasn't moving as soon as the carb linkage moved. I fixed that first. Then I went down to the trans, where the lockdown linkage connects, and started out where the the lever on the trans was all the way to the rear when the accelerator was all the way to the floor. From there I made two more small adjustments at the trans connection for the kickdown linkage, moving the lever further back in small increments. This seemed to make it better but it still does it under hard acceleration. It also made the shift points better, like it was shifting into the right gear at the right time when picking up speed from a stop at a normal driving pace. Before that it was shifting through all gears 1, 2, 3 way too fast when pulling off from stoplights. I plan on making some more adjustments at the trans and testing it out as soon as I get back to Texas in mid June. Anything else I should look at or mention to the trans shop?

Thanks in advance
roe

Is the TP linkage a combination of components from various years? What carb? Does the carb have the correct Mopar throttle lever extension?

Sounds like a mismatch of parts is causing the problem.

It's the same linkage that I've had on it for at least 8yrs. I bought it on this site and it was for this car, 4bbl version. Carb is a Holley 750. 9t was always perfect ever since I originally put it on and adjusted it. Nothing is hitting anywhere or binding. Only reason it ever came off is because i cracked the transmission case out having fun in 5he car one day. Same kickdown linkage parts that were on it are back on it now.

Did it shift correctly with this linkage before the rebuild? Same valve body? Why did it need a rebuild, symtoms? If the throttle lever was all the way back at full throttle, pressure should have been sufficient to prevent slip. If it was freewheeling on the gear change it was definately slipping. It's now possible the rear clutch is damaged. Caused by broken input shaft rings, cut piston seal or lack of throttle pressure caused by incorrect throttle linkage adjustment.
Need more info.
Doug

It always shifted perfect before and it had the same linkage. The rebuild was necessary because I was out doing some spirited driving one day and hurt the trans. Took it to the shop for a rebuild and turns out the case was cracked. So they did a full rebuild for me, back flushed the radiator to make sure there wasn't any trash in there, and that's where we stand. I'm not sure if it has the same valve body. When I hurt the trans I bought a used one just so I could still drive it until I got mine rebuilt. When he showed me the cracked case I took them the car so they could use my 2nd trans for the rebuild. So they pulled it, rebuilt it, and put it back in. It was even shifting properly with the tired replacement that I bought and put in myself.

When you ease off the gas and it shifts, what gear does it shift to? IOW, is it shifting directly from 1st to 3rd? If so, when it's in 3rd can you manually shift down to 2nd and have deceleration braking?

I will have to try this out when I get back to Texas and let you know

Sorry for the long hiatus. I decided to just have the shop (TX) look at. I'm not sure of the details but they did determine they made a mistake and it needed a teardown for diagnostics and repair. I didnt have enough time for them to do the job since I was moving out of state so they covered the cost for a shop here in WI to do a rebuild. When the car is finished I will ask about the details and let you guys know where the problem was.

Well at least we know you are still alive!

Well, the shop finished the rebuild and gave me a run down on several things that were wrong. There was a bushing of some type that he said was installed wrong, and looked to be broken on assembly. The adjustment on the trans was way too tight. 2nd and 3rd gear were trying to engage at the same time and burned up those bands. Torque converter failed... just a mess. But she's running well now. Only thing missing is a shift kit. The original trans I took in for rebuild had a Transgo TF2 shift kit. That case was cracked so I took them my spare trans to use for the build. They didnt put the shift kit in it. So I will probably get that done in the next couple of months.

How hard is it to do myself? I'm pretty good mechanically, I've swapped motors and transmissions, rebuilt my front suspension and rear diff. Most I've done inside a transmission is change fluid and filters in this same 904.

the TF2 is relatively easy to install if a guy is mechanically inclined, and can read and follow instructions.
keep everything organized on the bench, and make sure to keep the parts CLEAN,CLEAN,CLEAN.
pay close attention to the internal ball positions, and you are home free.
a FSM photo of the VB with an exploded view of the components helps a lot to the first time builder as well.
it can be intimidating, but it really is one of the easiest valve bodies to work on.
just take your time, and you will do good.