Problems with my 85 with a 307

[Guest Straight eight]

I have had just little problems that are starting to add up.

Engine idle at a stop light from slightly fast to just right to too slow

Sometimes downshifting coming to a light. Seems to hang in third, and then at last minute will do the 3-2 and finally the 2-1.

Last night for the first time it shuddered when up shifting at about 15mph or so.

Trans oil appears clean and clear changed at 14,000 or so, now showing 37,000 miles.

Thought it might be a solenoid, or a front mount, part number 25511570 as I have heard they do go bad.

Am looking for ideas as to how to proceed at this point.

[RivNut]

Your experiences sound like some I've had. The transmission problem sounds like the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) solenoid going bad. Your lock-up torque converter isn't unlocking.

One day they're fine, the next day crap. I've replaced the TCC solenoid on 3 of the 5 Rivs with the 325-4L transmission that I've owned.

You can check this pretty easily yourself. As you slowing down, shift the trans into neutral and complete your stop. When you put it back in gear, the torque converter should have unlocked and you're back to "normal."

I'm not familiar with it, but I've heard enough complaints to think the idle problem could be the idle load compensator. Jayson Pruitt can tell you everything you don't want to know about them.

Ed

[Guest Straight eight]

Ed, does this solenoid require removal of the transmission to be replaced? How about the shuddering on accel?

Edited June 18, 2010 by Straight eight (see edit history)

[RivNut]

My only experiences with the TCC failure were upon coming to a stop. I could imagine that if the converter were locked and you tried to accelerate, it would be similar to trying to accelerate in high gear in a manual transmission. No experience with the acceleration problem.

Replacement of the TCC solenoid requires removal of the pan, not the entire transmission. The last time I had it done professionally, (I don't do transmissions - period.) it cost me about $135.00.

Ed

[Guest Straight eight]

Thanks for all your responses.

Who do you recommend for replacement, GM or NAPA

[RivNut]

The guys in the Transmission shop handled that. I don't know.

[Guest Straight eight]

I changed the TCC solenoid, and wow what a difference. Had to use NAPA parts, all GM stuff is either gone, or dried out. Napa seems fresh.

[Guest simpsy82]

Hey Straight eight, about your shuttering problem. dose it only happen when under hard acceleration? dose it sound like a clicking grinding whirr type noise? and lastly can you feel a slight pull left or right when it happens?

[Guest Straight eight]

Shuttering problem is gone with the changing of the tcc solenoid. Of any consequence now, the forth gear shift is a little lazy but as the speed gets higher or pressure on accelerator lessens she shifts just fine. any comments?

[sosuzguy]

Only drive it in OD when at highway speeds. Use Drive for town driving. The OD gear in these cars leave a lot to be desired.

[RivNut]

Jayson advised me about not using o/d until you're on the highway. Good advice. With a 2.78 gear running .67 overdrive with only 140 hp you're lucky to even keep moving.