[fs68]

Last week I was running down the road manually shifting my auto (th350) and was in first at a high RPM when all of a sudden, no gears. I coasted for a bit in neutral then tried again and everything came back but only for a block then nothing (no 1,2,3 or reverse). I pushed it home and did some troubleshooting and noticed the following:

1) No dipstick tube - I bought the car this year and appearantly the person who put it together neglected to install a way to fill the trans up. I installed a new locking tube. Who knows what the fluid level was but it's full now

2) Trans cooler installed but looked tierd - I replaced the cooler and checked for fluid pressure on supply tube. Fluid came out so I assume the pump is ok

3) Modulator vacuum line was all rubber and colapsed by the header - I replaced with steel tube and 3"ish rubber on each end. Also replaced the modulator with B&M adjustable.

4) Dropped pan and inspected fluid - no metal, no burnt fluid, "S" clip to valve body is connected

The trans just rev's like its in neutral, no noise. I fear my next step is a complete rebuild to try and find the issue but it seems like a catastrophic falure would have left a puddle, metal shavings, noise, burnt fuid, something?

I am also looking for a recomendation for a Transmission shop here in the Chicago area to posibly do a rebuild or I'm tossing the idea around of doing it myself so any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

5) Replaced pan, gasket, and filter.

[Everett#2390]

The rebuilder may have forgotten to install the low/reverse sprag clip at the 5 o'clock position - requires dismantling to check.
Or the sprag is broken and when it locks up on its own mind, the car moves.

[z28kid]

On the passenger side of the trans in between the modulator and servo there is a place to check your line pressure...that would be the very first thing i did to insure the pump is working properly. Should be 55-70 psi min in park at about 2000rpm. From what i found.
TJ