Not going into second gear

[Glock45]

Hello i just recently bought a 87 all original cutlass with a 307 test drove it everything was good had a hour and a half drive home overheated about a hour driving radiator was bad so replaced the whole cooling system water pump thermostat and radiator and took all the smog stuff out also pump hoses just got it all back together now transmission is not wanting to shift very well hear a winding nose and dose not want to go into second gear only drove around my block dont want to take it on a main road and mess something up even more dont know when removing smog i took something elese off or didnt hook something up idk i checked the tv cable adjustment still doing something any help would be appreciated

 

[SS_Malibu]

First of all, Welcome to the GBodyForum!
A real nice Cutlass you have. You may want to check to be sure you did not unhook the vacuum hose from the trans to the intake manifold. It should be on the passenger side of the trans going to the back area of the intake manifold to a port by the distributor. With out that hose pulling vacuum it will only stay in first gear.

 

[83MonteCarloSS]

What transmission does it have?

First, did you check fluid level? Next, I would get a transmission fluid pressure gauge hooked up to the transmission and check line pressure.

 

[ELCAM]

3 speed or 4 speed automatic?

Make sure the TV cable is not bound up and stuck all the way open. Governor is also something to check when it won't upshift.

 

[Glock45]

What transmission does it have?

First, did you check fluid level? Next, I would get a transmission fluid pressure gauge hooked up to the transmission and check line pressure.

THM200-R4 transmission no vacuum hoses going to transmission

 

[Glock45]

First of all, Welcome to the GBodyForum!
A real nice Cutlass you have. You may want to check to be sure you did not unhook the vacuum hose from the trans to the intake manifold. It should be on the passenger side of the trans going to the back area of the intake manifold to a port by the distributor. With out that hose pulling vacuum it will only stay in first gear.

Thanks THM200-R4 no vacuum hoses going to this transmission

 

[Glock45]

3 speed or 4 speed automatic?

Make sure the TV cable is not bound up and stuck all the way open. Governor is also something to check when it won't upshift.

I was messing with tv cable some earlier nothing started messing eith it again and started to shift but wasn't great i need play with it some more to get it perfect

 

[dmac35242]

Please take time to research how to properly set the TV cable.
You'll toast your trans quickly w/o cable set properly.

 

[83MonteCarloSS]

TV cable setup is pretty simple. If you have the stock carb just make sure you have full pull of the TV cable at wide open throttle and you're done.

 

[Ernest]

Follow this example on how to reset the TV cable... once thats done, go for a test drive and see how it feels, 1-2 shift should be 15-20mph, 2-3 shift 28-30mph and 4th(OD) should hit around 40mph or so, the inner steel cable stretches over the years and requires readjustment from time to time.

If nothing helps, it may be time for a new cable, if doing so, get the GM#(typically on cable itself) for correct length cable and replace, and again, remember this video or perhaps due to age, it may be time for a rebuild, which may be best overall. GL