Awesome. Are you happy with it now?

 

I was.... yesterday when it was shifting into OD. Today it would not. After driving it around yesterday with no problem I didn't touch anything so I know nothing changed. I don't understand why the OD conversion stopped working. maybe I will try a new piece of vacuum hose, find a harder hose and bring it in a few more inches.

3rd gear still hides when cold but after a trip on the interstate she shifts into 3 easier. Not sure what is going on there either.

 

interesting.

What all did the conversion kit consist of? Is it just a vacuum switch for O/D?

 

Vacuum and 2 pressure switches. I adjusted the vacuum Down to 2lbs yesterday and it worked perfect. Not sure why it wouldnt work today. I changed the vacuum hose going to it by no luck. I know I have power going to the switch. I am just lost on this one.

I adjusted tv cable again and this afternoon it was working good but will have to check when it is cold again. I will not be driving it to work again until I know the OD works right
.

 

So the question becomes, does vacuum need to be less than 2psi to hit O/D, or more? (god that's confusing.....)

 

I think the no 3rd and od is two different issues. I would lock out the overdrive from engaging and get 3rd working first. Since the A518/500 is a 727 with od go by the trouble shooting guide for no 3rd. Usually band/tv cable out of adjustment. Witch pressue switch did you get for the od? Seem they have a few(44-54 psi). After getting 3 worked out i would see if you are getting the psi to triger the switch.

 

I am beginning to think it is a governor pressure problem. The OD switches are connected to the governor pressure and I bet the governor has something to do with 3rd gear.

The other day when it went to shift to 3rd but there was nothing there, I couldn't even get it to go back into 2nd, I had to manual rip the handle down to 2nd and get it up to about 55, shift back into D and let off the gas. I had to do this 3 times before it would finally catch 3rd gear. after that it would shift into 3rd gear but never consistent. Some times at 32 mph and other times not until I hit 50-55 mph with the same driving habits. I wonder if the transmission had other problems that the rebuilder didn't question but should have. So frustrating, I have so much time and money in this swap and I cannot get it to work right.

 

Sounds like sticking valves in the valve body, or, the governor is sticking. It's all purely mechanical thru 3rd gear on that trans. Might want to have a chat with the rebuilder.

 

Well, I ended up taking it back to another transmission shop to have it checked out and decided just to have it rebuild by a real tranny shop. Found the clutch plates were excessively worn and debris in the valve body. Now she runs and drives perfect! The PATC kit works like a charm and hits on time every time. The only think now is possibly changing the gear ratio. 1900 RPM at 80 just seems a little low and I really feel like I am using more gas to keep it between 75-80 then if I had a better rear gear. That and OD don't kick in until about 53mph and lock up is after 56/57 mph so on local streets I am still in 3rd gear in higher RPM. I am running the stock 3.2 gears now so I have to decide what to switch over to. Thinking about the 3.55 but not sold on anything yet.

 

What size tires ya got on there?