727 transmission wont upshift

[macdrew77]

Hi all,
I recently bought a 70 Dart Swinger with 318 and originally a column shift 904. Previous owner had some engine work done and never got it running and also swapped in a 727 around the same time. I finally got it running pretty good last weekend so I went to take it for a drive around the block. First of all, the column shift arm is very sloppy, as in it will fall from N, to D, to 2, without having to pull it back. But the real problems is... P, R, N all seem to be functioning fine, but the car wont shift out of 1st gear. Not in Drive, not when placed in 2 on the column, and not when going from 1 to N to 2 either. Any ideas? Maybe stuck governor? or blocked valves? This weekend I hope to run some pressure tests, but have no idea what values to expect in which gears. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[fishy68]

How fast did you take it up too? I wonder if the throttle valve is blocked wide open somehow? If it is blocked open it'll shift but will have to be at high speed before it does. If not a pressure test starting with the governor would be where I'd start. The pressure should start right close to zero (1-1/2 psi max) and increase as speed increases. The throttle valve linkage affects the pressure at which it shifts

Get the shift linkage fixed asap. That can cause all sorts of weird issues.

Here's a scan of the pressure testing procedure. If you have trouble reading it here PM me your e-mail address and I'll send it to you

 

[macdrew77]

Thank you fishy! That was exactly was I was looking for. I got it up pretty close to redline, no shift. Transmission fluid level is very high but I don't suspect that to be the problem.

 

[fishy68]

Glad to help. Your right, the fluid level shouldn't cause it not to shift at all. Good luck and post back with what problems you find.

 

[Woods74]

Just had an issue like this, in addition to the above, I say a piece of trash in the governor could be making it sticky. :cheers:

 

[macdrew77]

Sorry y'all, I've been busy moving to a new apartment, got a new job and celebrated mothers day and 3 family members birthdays, but now I've got some time for the Dart again. Problem still exists, the trans wont shift out of first, ever.
I'm working on setting the linkage adjustment but discovered a few new problems. Firstly, when I check transmission fluid with the engine off it reads beyond full, then when checked in neutral it is completely empty. So I put some more ATF in, and took her for a spin.... under hard acceleration a misting of ATF is spraying everywhere-- on the manifolds, on the windshield, all over the engine bay, and she leaks ATF while sitting. Is it time to take it to a trans shop? Going back to the suspected cause of the original problem, how hard would it be to pull the governor assembly out? It would require the transmission to be dropped, no? And then there's the plastic bag taped to the tailhousing... wtf, anyone seen anything like this?

 

[fishy68]

It's normal to check way overfull when the engine is shut off. All that matters is what it checks in neutral with the engine running. If it doesn't read on the dipstick that means it's real low on fluid and possibly why it won't shift. No idea why the baggie is wrapped around the yoke unless it's a horrible attempt to contain fluid from a leaking seal. I highly doubt that's what's causing it to spray on the windshield but something must be leaking bad for it to do that. You have to determine where the fluid is leaking from and fix it. If it's spraying like you say it's no wonder it's checks empty in neutral and won't shift. If you can find and fix the leak and get it full of fluid it might work right if the clutches aren't toast from being so low on fluid. First thing I'd look at are the trans cooler lines. All it takes is a pin hole in one and it'll spray like crazy. If things are oil soaked sometimes it's hard to tell what's leaking. You might need to power wash it clean to see where it's coming from

For the moment I'd work on stopping the leak and getting it full of ATF then if it doesn't shift check the governor.

These sound like easy repairs to me but then again I've been doing it for 33 yrs. I don't know your mechanical level is so I can't say if it's time for you to take it to a shop. You have to make that determination.

 

[TrailBeast]

To answer one of the questions, you can get the governor out by dropping the crossmember and taking the tailshaft housing off while it's in the car.

I think I would expect a leak up by the fan, and maybe just a line that was not tightened at the radiator.

Also agree with the fluid and gov consensus.