Transmisson Problems

[GreyGoose006]

my 84 caprice classic is having transmission "issues"

it is not shifting into 3rd gear on the highway, and i have to get it up to around 75 or 80 before it is forced to shift into 3rd gear sometimes. i've lengthened the kickdown cable an inch and it helped, but at times, it still likes to stay in 2nd gear. this is really hurting my gas mileage, so any help would be great.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

my 84 caprice classic is having transmission "issues"

it is not shifting into 3rd gear on the highway, and i have to get it up to around 75 or 80 before it is forced to shift into 3rd gear sometimes. i've lengthened the kickdown cable an inch and it helped, but at times, it still likes to stay in 2nd gear. this is really hurting my gas mileage, so any help would be great.

Only a TH350 has a "kickdown" cable, or detent cable. The cable on an overdrive unit (TH2004R, 700R4) is called a "Throttle Valve" cable, a valve controlled by position of the throttle - in addition to detent downshifts, this cable replaces the old vacuum modulator. You MUST adjust this properly or you can DESTROY YOUR TRANSMISSION! With either the TH350 detent cable, or the TV cable on the 200C/4R/700R4, adjustment is performed by pressing the clip in on the cable where it attaches to the carb/throttle body (it's a D-shaped steel clip) and pulling the cable back to the firewall as far is it will pull, and then wide-opening the throttle.

[GreyGoose006]

Um... Yeah, i thought this would be obvious but i do in fact have the TH350 three speed transmission.

[silicon212]

Actually it wasn't obvious as most '84 Caprices have TH700R4 transmissions, buy yeah ... you still need to properly adjust the detent cable - if it's too tight, the transmission will assume the engine is under a power demand and will raise the shift points. Also, the vacuum modulator can have some issue as well, check for vacuum and make sure the engine is running good too. On a car with a vacuum modulator, if the engine drops a cylinder, the transmission shift points will raise and become harsh.