Crap, th350 emergency
 

Ran great testing at Darlington last weekend, unloaded it today in Orlando to roll it across the scales and I have NO REVERSE. Trans is not low on fluid. It was a touch low when I checked it, I added about 3/4 of a quart, It's dead on now.

The car will snap into reverse and will pull itself backwards at an idle, but as soon as you give it some throttle to either back up over a hump or just go a little quicker, it just drives through the clutches and stops moving.

As far as I can tell, the forward gears have not been effected. It pulls hard at WOT in all 3 gears, but I was not able to make the test session today so I can't be certain it's still running as good as it was last week.

My question is, will the transmission be ok without reverse? Are there separate clutches that control reverse vs the forward gears? What could cause me to lose reverse?

Any input would be great. I'm asking around at the track as well.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

What does the fluid look and smell like? Anyone have a pressure gauge? Sounds like reverse section is bad which means disassembly.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

I have not drained the pan, but what fluid is on the stick looks pretty good. I’ll run the car without reverse, but I don’t want to jeopardize the rest of the transmission by doing so.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

It would be great if you could hook up a pressure gauge to the line pressure tap on the transmission case. Jack the rear tires off the ground, put on jack stands. If the line pressure is consistent in first gear, 2nd gear , and third gear, say 160 psi . Check pressure in Reverse. If that pressure is lower than the forward range, you might have a leak in the Low/Rev clutch, but if the pressures are the same in the forward gears, you could probably run some time trials. If it won't hold WOT in 3rd gear then the Direct clutch has a problem. If all is well during forward operation during time trials then you could probably get through the weekend, but stay out of reverse. Good luck !

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

I can't speak on a Chevy perspective with this, but back in the 90's, the 727 behind my 440 mopar lost reverse. lost 2nd as well. Still had 1st and 3rd though. Trash in the pan, looked a little bit like cardboard. Didn't have time to rebuild it before the bracket finals, so I changed fluid and raced it as it was. Picked up about .2 in the 8th mile.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Not enough frictions in the lo/rev, or not enough lining left on the one's there.
You may or may not be leaving on the lo/rev and the forward. Depends on who built it.
If it has an auto 1-2 , then it should be on the forward clutch pack only.
In your situation ,I'd say try it pay close attention to low and high gear.
Find a place to drive in and out without using reverse, and hope for the best.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

In addition to the above , if it has a modulator check to make sure the valve isn’t stuck, Recheck to make sure the transmission linkage or cable is shifting fully into reverse.a pressure check will tell you a lot if you can do one.Its straining my memory, but i believe a stuck band can cause slipping in reverse too. Loose filter is a possible too.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

No band in a th350, except for intermediate braking.. Should be long gone in a race trans.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

If it’s there, the band is manual 2nd. correct?

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

No. 2nd gear clutches are attached the case ,behind the front pump. No band necessary for forward motion.
400s work similarly for 2nd. They do have a band for lo/rev , rather than clutches though.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Good morning to all,
When I first read the post I thought that a lip seal might be the cause, but since it had reverse before, Marks comment on the frictions is probably pretty close to the source of the problem. The TH250 has a" Band Apply" for second gear as does the THM200. I would drop the pan and inspect for friction material and anything metallic. If there is a lot of debris in the pan, I'm not an advocate of running all that junk through the trans and possibly jamming up a valve in the valve body or ruining the rest of the frictions in the trans. This is why a good many racers have Spare transmissions with them. Take a look and go from there. Good luck on your Quest.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

P.S. Check with other racers and see if someone local can help look at the trans. G.M. built those transmissions by the thousands - meaning there's stuff around that might be able to get you through the weekend.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

The band is only used used “2” shifter position on a factory trans/valve body to allow compression braking in that gear/position. No other purpose. Class race trans should have it removed.

Kp

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Don’t know if it’s your problem. But with my TH350 and PPP shifter. If the cable is not adjusted exactly right. I get no reverse. Even if it’s off a tiny little bit. Probably not your problem. But it’s easy and quick to check.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Since it's an emergency as a last resort.... I knew a person with an old ford that would lose reverse , they always carried a bottle of Lucas Transmission Fix. Put some of that in and would be ok for a while . Maybe it raised the pressure and viscosity a bit, I don't know but they swore by the stuff.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

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Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

I have seen this happen a few times. Most people only put one or two reverse frictions in a footbrake transmission like yours. When you tear it down I think you will find the reverse clutches welded to the plates and all the lugs knocked off the clutches. We all know a person is not going to burn up reverse backing out of a pit area. However, if you often shift it into neutral after the run and your shifter is a bit out of adjustment that's how this happens.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Thank you all so much for the input! I’ve got lots of good advice to take into account in the future, including just having a spare.

High gear is completely gone now. No reverse, no high. I shifted into high on the first qualifying run this morning and had nothing. I’ve got a beat on another trans to pick up on the way home. I’m still gonna go up there for first round as 1 and 2 are still totally solid. A very very disappointing first event, but I’ll fix it and be back in 2 weeks! This class racing thing has been unbelievably humbling. Managed a 14.12 off the 13.00 with no 3rd gear.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

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Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Ya know...
My mom told me if I didn't have anything nice to say, to just not say anything.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

You got 100k laying around for me to buy a FS/# car with? Me neither. Go make your own thread where you pick on guys doing their best with what they have. I built what I could afford, and with some help from friends, I’m dam proud of it. I think you’ve lost what the spirit of drag racing is.

Also, to be fair, you said I’d never make a lap in NHRA competition with a car I build. Wrong. I showed up, put it in the beams knowing I couldn’t win. I did it anyway. Go pound sand.

Those that have helped, encouraged, and offered advice, I appreciate it. Y’all still have the spirit of what this is. Thank you.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

You know, I am sure I have met more fricken AZZholes than you in my life, but I just can’t remember when. You are a FIRST class PRICK……This young man has busted his AZZ to race this weekend and you just won’t stop bustin his balls. Now would be an excellent time for you to crawl back under your rock AND STFU !!! …..
With Warmest Regards ,..,,.MJ Quinn. :):)

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

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Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

It was a pleasure meeting you today. Considering the options you had, I think you did what any of us would have. If you send me a PM and or phone # I’ll send you a video of your run. Wish things had turned out better for you.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Big Head I mean Big Ed…you have officially reached a new low…as in low life, your a real POS, picking on a kid racing his first ever stock divisional and having issues. And you’re here giving him **** like you do every single post on here. I think you are real trash and a big mouth. I bet when you first started racing you were perfect, even tho you havnt done a thing yourself in decades, just stop! Go polish the wheels for your son it’s probably all you’re actually good at, or maybe use your mouth for polishing some knobs I’m sure your perfect at that too!

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

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Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

By mentor you mean you spent your retirement paying all the big names to teach you all the tips and tricks? Most likely….yeah I have a couple big checks but who cares? Your the only one who seems to care about bragging what you yourself has NOT accomplished, but your son, you can say all you want that his success is because of you but it’s not, your a blow hard and that’s exactly what you did to get him to this position….blew hard!.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

wrong again, still running your mouth about things you haven't got a clue!

Anytime you want to put your junk in the other lane let me know and you'll be schooled!

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

such childish attitude

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Back to our young friend Dawson Pauley...Here's hoping you get your trans fixed in time for the next divisional in 2 weeks at Gainesville. My apologies.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Dawson, good effort to get the car together and get it to the track. When
you get home and get the trans out and looked at, IF it turns out that there is something wrong with the case,(Which I doubt) let me know. I just put the
innards of mine into an ATI case,(couldn't be bothered with blankets, Shields, flexplate shields etc. as there isn't any room in my trans tunnel to
begin with. So, i have a good spare case that you can have for free. If you
catch me on a good day I might even pay the freight, or split it with you if my wife reads this. After the tough weekend you had, and the crap kicking you took here after being generous enough to keep us up to date on your exploits, I want you to know that most of the S/SS guys are really a great group. We still want you to a serious medical event if you're in the other lane, other than that, a great group of people.

J.R.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

that is the most f'd up comment I've read here yet and worse yet, someone would like that comment.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Have a fresh Coan, reverse pattern for sale

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Ed, thanks for reading my post. What part of the Truth and Facts don't you
like. I wouldn't expect you to understand that line, as it contained something God didn't Bless you with, HUMOUR.

J.R.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

J.R. first there's nothing funny about wishing someone has a "serious medical event".

Next please don't use words you don't know how to spell, worse yet when you put them in caps! :p

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Ed, I'm sorry you live in your little cave, and are not very worldly. I'm not surprised. Humour, or humor in the US way of spelling it, is actually spelt the way I spell in my country. So, not a mistake, just the proper English way of spelling it. So, wrong again, and it's early in the day. That will give you plenty of time to make other errors. I've noticed you have taken time to be critical of my last few posts, but didn't didn't mention I'm trying to help a fellow S/SS racer who is just getting going. I guess some people see the glass half empty(YOU) and some people see it half full(ME). You know, once you got your head out of your *** on the other post, you actually gave some very good information on trans fluid. We know you're knowledgeable, why not try to be helpful instead of being the all knowing critic of everything.
It's easier on everybody that way.

J.R.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Dawson
The true spirit of Stock Eliminator is to build a car from scratch within the rules in you own shop using your skills and time. Just getting a car to the track is an a accomplishment most never achieve.

You've done you're best and should be proud of what you've accomplished. This trans issue is just new car blues.

Advice:
Pay attention to details.
Everything takes 4 hours minimum
You don't have to have the absolute finest equipment buy what you can afford with your end goal in mind.
Ask questions from those knowledgeable at least try everything a seasoned racer suggests then report back the results. There may be more than one step in the process. No one likes an askhole.

One last thing: To be trashed on the internet is indication you are doing something right. Look at it as an honor and compliment.

A friend of mine went a bunch of rounds at Bradenton beating some people he was not supposed to. His car is deadly he is a very good driver. When I saw him a week later brought it up. At the time he wasn't real happy about it so I started laughing saying dude they finally noticed you when you sent them to their coolers plus they trashed you on the internet. You've made it to the elite of big money bracket racing. A bunch of us were together we all had a good laugh.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Dawson, Get a hold of me here or on F/B when you get that trans out.
I'd be glad to help you out if I can.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

bad spelling again, you're or you are and I know you/they know I am.:D

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Ed, I always thought you were a pronoun type of guy. Now I know for sure.

J.R.

Re: Crap, th350 emergency
 

Based on your first time trial, you can bet that you lost the High Gear clutch. That clutch must come on along with the Lo/Rev clutch to get Reverse. Should be an easy fix once you get the transmission out of the car. The most common failure mode is the lip seals on the High gear piston are leaking. Make sure when it is rebuild that there isn't excessive clutch travel, that will lead to those seals to get damaged in short order.