Transmission problems? torqueflite 904

Question

recently we rebuilt the transmission because it wouldnt go in reverse and 3rd gear. now it goes in reverse after it has been rebuilt but the 3rd gear still doesnt kick in what causes this to happen and how can it be solve thanks.

Answer 1

If there was nothing missed inside the trans, Everything was put back correctly and there is nothing wrong with the case, The bands were tightened correctly, then most likely it's a valve body problem. Sounds like 2 -3 valve is sticking. Here is something you can try. Pull it down manually into first gear. Start off and wind it up kinda tight and manually shift it into second gear. Wind it on up some more and shift it into drive. By doing this you are letting the trans fluid  build up pressure. The sudden flow of fluid when you shift from one gear to the other will sometimes dislodge anything that might be sticking the valve. Try it 2 or 3 times. If nothing changes you will have to pull the valve body and manually clean it or replace it.  By the way, Reverse pressure is (If i remember right) 2 times the forward pressure. If all the clutches were fried it would still go in reverse.

Answer 2

if this is a late 60-,s or 70-,s transmission you may have a ball in the wrong place in the valve body,either that or you could have a warped valve body,is this  the same valve body that was originally in the transmission,i got an old duster we been trying to get ready to sell and decided to go through the transmission on it,and the transmission i choose to put in it has a bad valve body,it wouldn't go in 3 rd gear either,today we changed the valve body and now it takes a real good 3,rd gear,recheck the valve body in it,its real easy to mess up on those,i have done a dozen of them and still mess  up,good luck.,on the older valve body's you have to tighten them from the center out or they will leak,that may be whats happening is its loosing pressure.

Answer 3

Like everyone has been saying, you may have missed a check ball. Another possibility is your kick down my not be adjusted correctly and is holding the trans in 2nd gear. this is another common problem when the trans is put back in. Disconnect the kick down and see how it run. If you get your 2-3 shift, readjust the kick down.