83 caprice , transmission not engaging drive gears

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by silicon212

in 1983, the 3.8 liter V6 (229cid, based on the 305) was the base engine for the car, and this was only available with a TH350 transmission. This is why those parts are available for that year. The TH350 does have a vacuum modulator. The TH200C, 2004R and 700R4 use a throttle cable instead.


Jcat - the cable on a 700R4 is not simply a detent cable.

the term I used is in my 1984 repair manual detent/downshift cable is what is stated . also TV cable . depends on what transmission used ,I once had this stick on another GM vehicle..
I know that this if not set correctly , will damage the transmission.

[cas4all]

So i was able to drop the pan and change the oil and filter . i found the problem , it was lying in the bottom of the pan . A piece of some sort of lever mechanism was lying in the oil broken off . The detent/throttle cable was attached . i doubt any auto parts places stock this part that broke and i have never changed a transmission . For me to bother to go to junkyard for this part , i would have to drop the pan on the junkyard car . So then if i went that far , it would just make sense to get a used transmission from the junkyard . Al this for a car with 166,000 miles on it . So looks like this caprice will be getting sold for parts or going to the scrap bin of history . Sucks because the 305 is still strong in it .

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by cas4all

So i was able to drop the pan and change the oil and filter . i found the problem , it was lying in the bottom of the pan . A piece of some sort of lever mechanism was lying in the oil broken off . The detent/throttle cable was attached . i doubt any auto parts places stock this part that broke and i have never changed a transmission . For me to bother to go to junkyard for this part , i would have to drop the pan on the junkyard car . So then if i went that far , it would just make sense to get a used transmission from the junkyard . Al this for a car with 166,000 miles on it . So looks like this caprice will be getting sold for parts or going to the scrap bin of history . Sucks because the 305 is still strong in it .

I would go to a tranny shop show them the broken piece see what they say. my impeller repair total cost was less than $100......... that was about 35 yrs ago ...

[Blue Bowtie]

I'll second that notion. Take your pieces to a local trans shop and ask if they can source the part(s). It may be easier than you might think.