904 trans problem...sometimes before its warmed up properly the car will accelerate in second gear instead of first
any idea what this could be?
I sometimes manually shift the 904 to alleviate this until its warmed up nice

sound like the govenor support sealing rings or something binding in the govenor assembly.Easy fix in car just requires you to pull the tail shaft off good luck

Are these governor sealing rings still available?
thanks for the help

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/A904_TF6_A999_Transmission_sealing_rings_s/9234.htm


these guys sell the whole sealing kit...

not very expensive...steel or teflon.

Thanks!
I just need to find a more comprehensive manual to find out how to take the tail shaft off correctly

I'm sure alot of people look down on it.....but the ole "throw it in park at 30mph for a second" trick will often free up a sticky governor. It won't "lock" the wheels, but will ratchet the park pawl and the gov is mounted to the back of it. I've seen it work time and time again....especially on the 3spd fwd tranny's that closely resemble a small 904 internally.

to remove tailshaft...remove 6 bolts that hold tailshaft to main case...and remove two phillip screws that holds a small plate that cover up snap ring...spread snap ring and pull tail shaft off..

you will need to support trans as the cross member mounts on the tail shaft.

Thanks all,

Does the governor just get gummed up or is this a part I need to replace?

Is the transmission in question the original type in your '65 Valiant? If so, the governor isn't fed by front pump pressure and might not be the problem. The problem could be a sticky 1-2 shift valve in the VB.

Before jumping into the tailhousing it would be wise to hook up a test gauge to the governor pressure test port.

Nope its a 79 trans and a late seventies 318 in there as well