Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: jwwseville60 on May 22, 2024, 07:14:00 PM

Title: Hydramatic question
Post by: jwwseville60 on May 22, 2024, 07:14:00 PM
On my 1963 sedan, the trans hunts back and forth between 1-2 gears on a steep incline with gentle moderate throttle. Give it more gas and it smacks into first.
Is this normal or a sign that it needs a rebuild?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Hydramatic question
Post by: Cadillac Jack 82 on May 22, 2024, 07:45:03 PM
TV rod adjusted right?
Title: Re: Hydramatic question
Post by: Roger Zimmermann on May 23, 2024, 02:54:45 AM
It could be that the front unit coupling (responsible for second and 4th gear) is leaking. Not enough that the transmission will do only 1-3 when warm but just enough to be unstable.
Anyway, hard to do a diagnostic from the other side of the ocean!
Title: Re: Hydramatic question
Post by: Big Fins on May 23, 2024, 04:50:43 AM
Not doubting you, but are sure it's a 1-2 hunt and not a 2-3? First even at wide open throttle is only good for 25mph at best. It just gets the 5000 pound beast moving.
Title: Re: Hydramatic question
Post by: Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621 on May 23, 2024, 10:56:05 AM
I don't know if it's possible to remain in first gear beyond 5-10 MPH no matter what you do. There's no direct way to hold the car in first with the lever setting; "L" position only limits the transmission to first and second.   
Title: Re: Hydramatic question
Post by: Roger Zimmermann on May 23, 2024, 11:12:28 AM
Quote from: Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621 on May 23, 2024, 10:56:05 AMI don't know if it's possible to remain in first gear beyond 5-10 MPH no matter what you do. There's no direct way to hold the car in first with the lever setting; "L" position only limits the transmission to first and second.   
It's possible, but only when something is going wrong: the weight on the governor from my '56 de Ville went off during the drive: I had only first and reverse...Fortunately, I was as 1/2 mile from my garage!