79 trans prob

gec · 10-07-04, 08:39 AM

I just bought a 79 coupe that sat for over 1 year, the car is in good shape rebuilt rear end and moter, but the engine has to run for about 5min before the tranny will go into gear, after that it shifts fine, no slipping, oil looks clean and bright with no smell to it...could it be vacuume? or should I change the oil and the filter and go from there?...I'm a new corvette owner and this is a great site! Ive had most of my Questions answered by browsing through the forums the last couple day's.

mike weyman · 10-07-04, 02:31 PM

could be the pump or a clogged filter . try the filter first, make sure the level is correct.even if the filter does the trick , that means the filter is full of tranny grindings.
fortunately these trannies can be rebuilt cheaply (aroung $350.) if you take it out.while it's out i would put a shift kit in there and a 2400 stall converter.mine was a th400 and i went to a fresh 350 turbo with shift kit,and 2400 stall convertor total cost 650.$ cdn. well worth it.mike
p.s. going from a 400 to a 350 turbo loosens up 25 or 30 h.p.mike

gec · 10-07-04, 04:14 PM

thanks for the info mike, I was planning on a shift kit anyway but it's gunna have to wait till my wife calms down..I was looking for a dirt bike and came home with the vette, the guy I bought it from owns a bar and with the new smoking laws he was hurting for cash, he claims he sunk $13,000 into it over 3yrs. moter, rear end,paint, roters, shocks, gas tank have been done, I gave him $4,750 for it so i don't think i'll lose anything. The front end feels a little loose to me but i've never had a vette, it has original ball joint on the right side and passed the safety. milage reads 48,000km but speedo cable is shot. the interior needs to be done but thats about it.

**Hib Halverson** · 10-07-04, 05:00 PM

As suggested, I'd change the fluid and filter. When you drop the trans pan, if you find more than about a dime's worth of fine metal powder, you're ready for an overhaul. If you find metal particles larger than find powder, you're ready for an overhaul.

mike weyman · 10-08-04, 02:45 PM

13 grand seems a lot when you're new to the vette circle but it sounds right for a car that has had a few things let go unattended for awhile.
i paid 4,500 for my 75 with 51,000 k.m. on it.in 2 years of a rebuild i am almost 17,000 in parts and have not driven the car yet. all labor was done by myself,paint job included .

welcome to the world of corvette,

please leave your visa card at the front desk.

..lol.mike

gec · 10-08-04, 07:36 PM

I have a boat with a 350 in it so i'm aware of the markup on parts for what my wife calls a "toy", the last time I complained about the price of a tilt moter the marina mechanic said "a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into". The vette fired up today and went right into gear so i'm gunna drive it awile and see if maybe the problem was'nt from sitting for over a year. ps that is an excellent looking paint job! and it feels that much better when you did it yourself.

79'vette · 10-13-04, 07:39 PM

Heh, my story is just the opposite of yours. I came home with a '79 as a toy for my wife.

AS noted above, change the filter and the fluid.