'62 LeSabre dynaflow question

[Guest COMPACTBC]

Just bought this car and its a "slug" off the line unless I put it in Low. I've been told that it should have good pick up in Drive. Anyone got any ideas as to what is wrong with this transmission? It does not have any strange noises, it just doesn't have any pick up in Drive.<P>------------------<BR>

[Guest]

It sounds like your dynaflow is working PERFECT. It has variable pitch vanes in the converter, it's slipping is the "gears" being it doesn't shift like a conventional trans. It will be pretty sluggish, but it works great. <P>------------------<BR>buickfam@aol.com<BR>Life long Buick Fan.<BR>1965 Skylark H/T<BR>1965 Gran Sport Convertible<BR>1948 Chevy Pickup with 401 Buick.<BR>"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

[Guest]

Dynaflow under went several substantial changes from 49 thru 56. After that it remained fundamentally unchanged. It is a five element torque converter - pump, geared turbine, fixed vane stator, direct turbine and variable vane stator. When working properly it provides good (not spectacular) snap from a standing start. It can be deceptive driving a dynaflow because the engine does not rev and fall as in a conv auto trans - the actual acceleration can be much faster than it seems. That being said, dynaflows can be very sluggish if the one way sprag clutches in either of the stators (ususally the VP stator) are defective allowing the stators to counter rotate. If the VP stator is functioning correctly you can detect a definite increase in engine rpm and acceleration at ALL speeds from 0 to about 70-80 mph. If not, this could be your prooblem. There are other possibilities although less likley ( damaged planetery gears in the 1st turbine, damaged pump or second turbine blades, etc).<BR>I own several 62-63 buicks and feel that these final dynaflows are among the most refined, elegant, and satisfying transmisions available.

[Guest]

Dynaflow under went several substantial changes from 49 thru 56. After that it remained fundamentally unchanged. It is a five element torque converter - pump, geared turbine, fixed vane stator, direct turbine and variable vane stator. When working properly it provides good (not spectacular) snap from a standing start. It can be deceptive driving a dynaflow because the engine does not rev and fall as in a conv auto trans - the actual acceleration can be much faster than it seems. That being said, dynaflows can be very sluggish if the one way sprag clutches in either of the stators (ususally the VP stator) are defective allowing the stators to counter rotate. If the VP stator is functioning correctly you can detect a definite increase in engine rpm and acceleration at ALL speeds from 0 to about 70-80 mph. If not, this could be your prooblem. There are other possibilities although less likley ( damaged planetery gears in the 1st turbine, damaged pump or second turbine blades, etc).<BR>I own several 62-63 buicks and feel that these final dynaflows are among the most refined, elegant, and satisfying transmisions available.

[Guest]

Dynaflow under went several substantial changes from 49 thru 56. After that it remained fundamentally unchanged. It is a five element torque converter - pump, geared turbine, fixed vane stator, direct turbine and variable vane stator. When working properly it provides good (not spectacular) snap from a standing start. It can be deceptive driving a dynaflow because the engine does not rev and fall as in a conv auto trans - the actual acceleration can be much faster than it seems. That being said, dynaflows can be very sluggish if the one way sprag clutches in either of the stators (ususally the VP stator) are defective allowing the stators to counter rotate. If the VP stator is functioning correctly you can detect a definite increase in engine rpm and acceleration at ALL speeds from 0 to about 70-80 mph. If not, this could be your prooblem. There are other possibilities although less likley ( damaged planetery gears in the 1st turbine, damaged pump or second turbine blades, etc).<BR>I own several 62-63 buicks and feel that these final dynaflows are among the most refined, elegant, and satisfying transmisions available.