Basic shift kit

Golddusterkid,

The way I understand it (and I'm no tranny expert, but no one else has replied, so I'll give it a shot; I don't think it's that complicated...)

In second gear, the band is applied to hold the planetary drum (probably the wrong name) for the 1.45 torque multiplication. When the shift to 3rd (direct) is effected, the band has to release, just as the high gear clutch pack applies. It's a timing issue. If it is timed wrong, the band can release too soon, before the clutch application takes place, and the engine will run up like it's in neutral for a short time. On the other hand, if the timing is off the other way, the clutch pack will apply BEFORE the band has released completely, and it will literally be in two gears at once (2nd and 3rd) and will try to stop EVERYTHING, including the motor. This will cause a momentary rpm drop and the car will stop pulling for a time, until the band is completely released. It sounds like a bog.... and is REALLY hard on parts.

A good shift kit minimizes the possibility of this timing glitch happening.

Hope this helps.

If I have erred, someone with hands-on experience can straighten me out. This is the way I see it, but as I said, I'm not a tranny expert by ANY means...

Bill, in Conway, Arkansas