1981 Chevy Truck trans not shifting

STUBBYTATTOO

MEMBER
1981 CHEVROLET TRUCK
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

I have an 81 chevy 1/2 ton, with 350 turbo auto trans. While its in park, you can put it in drive or reverse and it works but will not shift into 2nd or 3rd gear. Also if your sitting still idling and you pull it all the way down to low 1 and try to shift it back up, it free slips until it finally catches a gear. Any ideas? It does the same thing if you grab the piece coming out the side of the trans. And move it from park to low 1, it has about a 60 degree slip before it catches and then clicks back up.

3 Replies

DR LOOT

MECHANIC
2,311 POSTS

It sounds like low throttle body pressure, adjust the cable to the throttle body pressure coming off the carburetor.

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Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 AT 2:54 AM

STUBBYTATTOO

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I didnt make my post real clear so im gonna try again. With the engine off and the transmission in park. I disconnected the linkage from the side of the transmission. Then I turn the shaft from where I disconnected the linkage, from the park position thru L1. But, when I go to shift it back up thru the gears, it free spins to about the Neutral position and then starts clicking gears again but does not go to the park position.