trans issues

woodsnake

15 Year Member
Jan 16, 2007
1,352
15
69
Hicksville, NY
Well, to bring every one up to date, earlier this summer I swapped in an 83 5.0 and my rebuilt C4 from a 67 merc comet.
I had the car running earlier, and it seems to make plenty of power. It will shift into reverse, but when I try to put it in forward, nothing happens.

So, out comes the trans, back to the experienced builder, with the above story. He goes thru it and says the only think he see's wrong is forward apply clutch "O" ring is old and worn. Nothing else inside is wrong.
New "O" ring, back in car, car running tonight. Run the car to normal operating temperature, no weird noises, other than it has sat for so long with out running.
Same story, goes into reverse, but no forward. Now,
Before I go buy a new valve body for it, do you think a totally wrong band adjustment could cause all of this headache??
 
It sounds like there's a problem with the forward clutch pack and/or drum.

When you put it into reverse, the transmission uses the high gear clutch pack and the reverse band

When you put the trans into drive, however, it uses the forward clutch pack only

It's possible you have a problem with the valve body, but it really sounds like a problem with the forward clutch
 
Did he replace both piston seals or just the inner oring? If you drop the valve body you can air pressure test it thru the holes in the case. This way you can rule out the drum, piston seals and pump rings.