Transmission problem?

[JohnD1956]

Thanks for letting us know what it was. Interesting that the timing was way off, but it is what it is, and that, right now, appears to be "fixed". Enjoy.

[NTX5467]

Thanks for the update! I'm glad it was a reasonably simple fix.

The carboned-up EGR passage was probably from "less expensive" fuel and short trips. Seemed to be common under those conditions, back then.

As you didn't find a metal vacuum tube going to the side of the automatic transmission, that would indicate the THM200-family of automatic transmission. They used a kickdown cable ONLY, unlike the THM350s which used the kickdown cable AND a vacuum modulator to determine/modulate shift smoothness and timing.

MANY of the things you experienced (fuel inlet fitting, especially) have been pretty common. My trick for that deal is to push the fuel line tube into the fitting FIRST, making sure it's aligned and bottomed-out against the spring BEFORE starting to screw the fitting into the carb body . . . doesn't matter if it's a Rochester, Carter, Holley, or whatever. Just that the Rochester Q-Jets seem to be more trouble-prone in this particular area . . . which is why almost any auto supply store has some "fix kits" (of many variations, usually) for that sort of repair.

Check back in in about a week or so to let us know how things are going, please.

Happy Holidays!

NTX5467

[Lebowski]

I had the oil and filter changed today along with a lube job, a check of the differential and other fluids, etc. so I'm ready for the winter. Thanks again to everyone for all the comments and support....