Trans Issue...cursed Cutlass, little advice?

[81X11]

I think my Cutlass is cursed. I drove it to my friend's shop to do the 307 to 350 swap, and on the way there, on the highway, the transmission switched itself from 4th to 3rd, and I could watch the tach and feel the torque converter lock and unlock as I was going down the highway in 3rd. It never did go back to 4th, but 1st-3rd work, as does reverse.

Please tell me this is a simple fix. I'm doing the engine now...and can't afford to do the transmission too. It's the stock 200R4. '88 Cutlass Supreme.

-Mike

 

[bill]

I think my Cutlass is cursed. I drove it to my friend's shop to do the 307 to 350 swap, and on the way there, on the highway, the transmission switched itself from 4th to 3rd, and I could watch the tach and feel the torque converter lock and unlock as I was going down the highway in 3rd. It never did go back to 4th, but 1st-3rd work, as does reverse.

Please tell me this is a simple fix. I'm doing the engine now...and can't afford to do the transmission too. It's the stock 200R4. '88 Cutlass Supreme.

-Mike

Sounds like the TCC or a vacuum leak....maybe a torque converter going bad. I assume you checked the fluid level...and the fluid is good, not burnt...etc.

 

[cutlass79]

are u putting in a olds 350 rocket or a sbc 350 if its getting a sbc 350 ull need a dif trans anyways

 

[81X11]

are u putting in a olds 350 rocket or a sbc 350 if its getting a sbc 350 ull need a dif trans anyways

Putting in a 71 Olds 350. The 307 has pretty much no oil pressure, and the car had been parked since April. I was just floored when driving it to the shop...the transmission has always been fine.

-Mike

 

[cutlass79]

are u putting in a olds 350 rocket or a sbc 350 if its getting a sbc 350 ull need a dif trans anyways

Putting in a 71 Olds 350. The 307 has pretty much no oil pressure, and the car had been parked since April. I was just floored when driving it to the shop...the transmission has always been fine.

-Mike

yeah id be a little pi$$ed to if it just went out on the high way and not when playin with it.if u was in il i got a 200r4 down there id sell u to get u goin.but id take a look a the vac line and the fluid level could be the tc as well.when the vac line on my th400 came off i only had 1st and 3ed no 2ed and rev dident want to work so good and it took me a little bit to think to look at it

 

[G-Body_Vet]

From what I recall the 200-4R doesn't use vacuum for anything. Most of the TCC problems I've seen result in the converter not unlocking at a stop, resulting in a serious bog or even killing the engine.

If adjusting the TV cable doesn't correct it you may be looking for a replacement or rebuild. I had this happen in my '85 SS while hauling *ss on the I-5 near San Diego I ended up having to get the trans rebuilt.

 

[86-blk442]

are u putting in a olds 350 rocket or a sbc 350 if its getting a sbc 350 ull need a dif trans anyways

200-4R has a universal bolt pattern.

I had this happen with the 200-4R in my 442. Couldn't get 4th back at all, dropped the pan and it was full of metal. Ended up having it rebuilt.

 

[88hurstolds]

Trans is going, I had that happen years ago on a TH350 then next thing you know you're stranded.

 

[beermonkey9417]

200-4R has a universal bolt pattern.

not true, the 2004r has 2 patterns, bop and cbop.

the problem sounds like the od electric are going on ya. check your wireing to the trans to make sure you have a good connection, but first check the fluid level. if the connection is good and your getting voltage, then its gonna be the relay inside the trans. to get to that youll have to drop the pan and remove the relay for a new one.

on the drivers side theres this plug:

make sure its intact and all the pins are not corroded.
the relay inside the trans is the thing with the wires at the bottom of the pic:

 

[81X11]

Thanks for all the replies! Will get the 350 in, check connections and fluid levels, and then see where I am.

-Mike