1960s Hydramatic question

[jwwseville60]

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!

[Cadillac Jack 82]

TV rod adjusted right?

[Roger Zimmermann]

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!

[Big Fins]

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.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

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.   

[Roger Zimmermann]

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.   

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!