Transmission question

Okay.. i couldn't find a trans-am spot but the transmission in this car isnt stock anyway so.

Im looking to buy this 81 trans am.. (brand spankin new tranny, 383 stoker engine[thats a freakin beast])

But the only real problem with it is..

The guy blew the tranny in a drag race, and started rebuilding it. Decided to just get it replaced.. before he got it done he went on dissability and his wife wanted him to sell the car asap and stop working on it.

It works fine (grips like a mother). but.. heres the weird thing. He said he couldn't get the tranny to work as an auto (it is an auto).. it doesn't go into Drive, and the N and Park don't stick well.

In other words, to drive it, you have to put it in 1, and pop it in 2, then 3.

I was guessing linkage right off the bat.. but.. i don't know, im not a big transmission person (im newbish on working on cars, i can just do engine work)

With all the power it has (with all the MSD ignition, high pro wires, edelbrock carb, ready to be blown, etc) im guessing its pushing between 400-500hp.. and i dont want to have gears flying behind me with the city travel around my area.

Anyways.. any ideas on what it is? and how hard of a job will it be? (expense wise too, guesstimateing) guy said theres maybe 40 miles on it, still has a warrenty.


Thanks, randy.


P.S. ill of course post pics if i buy it.. im just scared of the tranny problem.

Actually we do have a "F" Body forum at Chevrolet Camaro which is a shared forum with the Firebird and Trans Am models. I have moved your post to help facilitate an answer.

Google up "full manual valve body".

Sounds like something with the linkage has gone wrong. Its probably going to need the pan dropped and looked at if no apparent external problems are found.