TheMysticWizard

iTrader: (1)

Okay, hope someone has an answer.

I recently bought a car, an 1987 Firebird Trans AM. It has a v-8, 305 TPI. When I bought it, the seller didn't know about it, much as he bought it used also. He did say the tranny was recently rebuilt (less than 1000 miles ago).

Anyways... I noticed, and he also mentioned, that when you're coming to a stop, the RPMs drop really low, and occasionally it stalls. Well I've had the car for about 3 weeks now, and I've done some work on the engine (replaced the intake, due to a broken bolt, with the same exact intake it had on there before), and it started stalling pretty much at every stop. I am pretty sure it is not an engine issue, as it idles perfectly in park and nertral.

I also noticed it helps if slow down to a crawl, and then let off the brakes and reapply them 2-3 times as I come to the final stop, and it seems to kick out of gear, and once again idles fine. It also seems to have no problems when I first put it in gear, and never go fast enough for it to hit second (staying in first before stopping again)

I have tried adjusting the TV Cable, by unlocking it, sliding it all the way back to the firewall, then going to the WOT position, it ratcheted 3-4 notches forward, although it does seem a little better, it still stalls on me.

I also have discovered that this car originally had a Manual tranny, and this 700r4 has been swapped into it, therefore it has no lockup controls. I plan on addressing that very soon... but my main concern right now is the stalling when I stop.

It seems as if it doesn't disengage enough to actually stop, unless I release and re-apply the brakes a few times as I mentioned. I was just wondering if anyone had seen anything like this, and what I should do about it.

I am planning to do a full tune up on the engine, to see if that makes any difference, but I am pretty sure it won't, as it runs fine out of gear, or once the tranny "lets go" at a stop.

I am also getting a gauge to monitor the pressure inside the tranny, so I can accurately set the TV cable. Does anyone know what the pressure should be at idle, and at WOT, in and out of gear?

I appreciate any help anyone can give me, and I would like to thank everyone in advance!

Pro Built Automatics

Is there any wiring going to the transmission for the lockup torque converter?

TheMysticWizard

iTrader: (1)

No, there's no wires going to it. Someone else told me that if it's a pre 1987, the Valve Body also has control over lockup, do you know anything about this?

Pro Built Automatics

The lockup is electronic controlled (all years). If the valve body was modified with a checkball in the TCC solenoid, it might cause this problem.

TheMysticWizard

iTrader: (1)

Could this problem have anything to do with the Governer or the Servo? Or could my tranny be damaged due to overheating, since it doesn't have any external lockup controls?

I guess I need to pull the pan off, and have a look around in there. What should I look for, other than sticking valves in the valve body and the check ball in the TCC Solenoid?

If there is a checkball in the TCC Solenoid, what would need to be done to fix it? Can I just remove the checkball?

Pro Built Automatics

If there is a checkball in there, take it out and see what happens. If this solves the problem, then you can install a vacuum switch to get your lockup back.

TheMysticWizard

iTrader: (1)

Got the pan off it right now, I took the TCC Solenoid out, and applied power to it, it clicked and closed, then when the power is gone, it releases.

Next idea please...

TheMysticWizard

iTrader: (1)

So.. what else should I check?

Pro Built Automatics

First, see if this the right year transmission for this vehicle? It could be that the wiring setup is for a 4th gear switch that is normally closed, (most are open). Remove the 4th gear switch (sits next to the 1-2 accumulator, held on with 3 bolts and in the rear corner) and check to see what style it is (normally open or closed) and change to the opposite one. The TCC solenoid, I gather did not have a checkball (look closely) in the snout? Make sure you replace the O-ring on the snout of the solenoid.

TheMysticWizard

iTrader: (1)

The car is an 1987, the Tranny code has a 7 at the front, which makes it a 1987 tranny right? The TCC Solenoid had no check ball, and the o ring looked and felt like brand new (the guy I bought the car from said the tranny was rebuilt less than 1000 miles ago)

My next idea is to check out the governer, think that could be a problem? I am out of ideas on this thing, if anyone can think of anything else I would appreciate them letting me know.

Thanks for all the help Pro Built Automatics! I am beginning to like the sound of a new tranny, but I don't have the money!