[Mick Ferl]

I am in the process of getting my (newly purchased) 86 corvette on the street. I bought this car for a song. After getting the engine up to par, and fixing everything that it takes to pass state inpections I started on the interior. I reoved the seats (electric) and the carpet. After installing new carpet and after-market seats. The no longer upshifts out of 1st gear. (This was yesterday). Someone said that I may have disconnected a ground or a loop when I disconnected the electric seat harness. Has anyone ever heard of this? When I get home I will try plugging the electric seat chassis (with a ground ) then test drive it.. I'm really going crazy over this. Any suggestions?

Mick Ferl
mferl@santextrucks.com

[1-bassman]

Hi, about a year ago my son and I swaped out a 350TH for a 700r4 in our '81 Corvette, so I know a little about ours only. The only thing electric on ours is the lock up tork convertor. As far as not shifting, did some how the cable get disconnected from your throttle linkage? (I don't know if not being connected would cause this problem) As far as I know, at wot the cable must be adjusted so it is pulled all the way out to its fullest extent. I don't know if this is a help or not.
Dennis

[Mick Ferl]

You are correct, I had a lot of input regarding the 700R4. The only electrical on the tranny is for the TC lockup. My TV cable has been adjusted and re-adjusted. Given the history of this car and the lack of maintenance in the past, I will dump the fluid and change out the filter. I will also pull the govenor assembly from the side of the trans and clean it. Apparently my ignorance of how this transmission functioned was about to send me on some wild goose chases. Buying this Corvette was easy to do, even my wife thought it was a GOOD deal. Today I'm beginning to wonder. I will keep you posted as to how I come out. Thanks for your reply.

Mick Ferl
San Antonio
mferl@santextrucks.com

[cuztomcarbuilder]

I wouldn't try to clean the governor. If it stops working then it's dead. You can buy a new one for about $25.00 GM# 24202117 (I think this part # is right) It would be a good idea to pull the pan anyhow. If it is completely covered with friction materal then a new governor will stick as well. And a no-brainer is if you see metal in the pan. And as a last resort...If you pull the governor and there is no gear (common) then the roll pin came out. You can pull the tailshaft and find the gear and roll pin and reinstall them. Last step...Ping the holes where the roll pin goes in after you install the pin...AND I ping every new one I get as well. I have found a few trannies with this problem. Good Luck

[Mick Ferl]

Thanks For the input. I dropped the pan. a little sludge in the pan. I replaced the filter and obviously the fluid. I pulled the cap off the side of the trans and removed the gov. The gear was ate up and the roll pin still in place. I bought a new replcement for $20 , rest the tv cable. The bottom line is the 700R4 shifts like a jewel. I would have been at the mercy of a transmission shop if it wasn't for this forum. Thanks to all of you for your input. My labor is cheap. The way I see it is I would have likely paid for a complete trans overhaul if it wasn't for your help.

Thanks
Mick

[Forkliftguy]

It's kinda funny, it sounds to me like that's probably why the car got sold in the first place. Congrats on the purchase


Marc