No 2nd gear...

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slimjim

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million dollar question... what’s wrong?

Equipment:
727 trans
RMVB
alto red clutches
2800 stall
<5000 miles on trans
Built about 6 years ago

Issue:
Took a 40 mile drive in 98* weather. Next day it wouldn’t shift into 2nd gear. Feels like it stays in 1st. There’s no problem shifting into 3rd. I did notice that the shift into 3rd felt a lot smoother than normal (use to be crisp and firm). Trans fluid smells pretty burnt.

Background info:
727 was behind a 416 stroker for roughly 5 years. I swapped in a mild 360 in November and have been driving it ever since.

Any ideas?
 
I know the burnt fluid is a problem but, is it THE problem? Not sure it would be a band adjustment after ~5k miles but, who knows? I’m just hoping it’s not in need of a full rebuild so soon.
 
I've never seen burnt fluid. It looks and smells burnt because it's loaded up with burnt friction material. Does it drop into reverse as firmly as first? Does this valve body have a screen on it?
 
Reverse is as firm as 1st gear. I do not remember if there’s a screen for the valve body. I’m sure there’s some material in the fluid but, I never thought I could lose 2nd gear overnight like that
 
Just a shot that a screen can allow particles to do valve damage. Losing second all of a sudden maybe a strut broke; or the band itself. I'm wondering if that could cause a loss of pressure to third..anyone..Bueller?
 
I’m not sure on the pressure loss but i suppose it’s possible as the front drum is spinning if the kd band is not applied. Kim. Lots of times when a rmvb is installed the front apply lever is misadjusted and the lining gets torn off the band. They also shift pretty hard and therefore stuff breaks. Kim
 
Third could be fried causing the soft shift but if the plates are dished right you could still have a quick reverse. Hmm..broken band and burnt third maybe..Every time you drive it the plates will dish differently and change the reverse engagement..
 
Even though 3rd is softer, it still feels like a good shift. The RMVB definitely puts a lot of strain on the trans. Normally the 1-2 shift will push me back in the seat and the 2-3 shift will shove me back. I haven’t tried to adjust the band yet. I guess that could give me an indication if the strut and/or band broke.
 
Even though 3rd is softer, it still feels like a good shift. The RMVB definitely puts a lot of strain on the trans. Normally the 1-2 shift will push me back in the seat and the 2-3 shift will shove me back. I haven’t tried to adjust the band yet. I guess that could give me an indication if the strut and/or band broke.

It very well could be the band adjustment and the burned fluid because the band was slipping because of being way too loose.
The pin that pushes the band lever only travels so far before it hits max travel.
If the adjustment is looser than that it can cause the band to gradually start slipping.
Then all the sudden that pin can't reach the apply lever travel any longer causing 2nd to go away.
I have had it happen to me before on a car I bought and drove home. (no second)
Adjusted the band and not only did I have second back, but it lasted for years after.
(Just a possibility for you)
 
Yeah I’m gona adjust the band and see what happens. If nothing, I’ll drop the pan and possibly the valve body to see what’s going on. The fluid smells burnt but, it’s not dark. In fact, the fluid looks clear-ish with a touch of pink.
 
I would say ur gonna need a band in short order. The lining is probably worn pretty thin. Next the band will sticking to the drum with metal to metal contact and not releasing. Then big problems. Kim
 
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