I bought a 1978 Dodge based Motorhome today with a 360 and A727 transmission. Very nice camper for its age. New tires, transmission, fridge, and brakes.
When I first was test driving the motorhome I noticed that it would not shift out of first until about thirty miles per hour. It sounded like the motor was revving a little high. The salesman and mechanic assured me that it was just a shift kit and reminded me the transmission was new. So i bought the motorhome, drove it 90 miles home on the highway. It cruises really well at 65 mpg. I let the rig sit for about three hours. I took my wife out for a drive, and the thing would not shift out of first gear. The worst part about it is that the previous owner put dual glasspacks on it so I was just screaming down residential roads at 9:30 pm at 20 mph and 4000 rpm.
Is there a reason that the transmission would shift with no problem once I drove it ninety miles, but not when it was sitting for a while?
Please help, I don't want to find out I just bought a lemon.

Thank you

 

A shift kit for an application like your van would be installed to firm up the shifts, not delay them. The salesman and his mechanic gave you a line of bull. If the tranny is new like they said it is, then there would be a warranty. However, installing a shift kit could've violated the warranty which is why they're not taking care of the problem. I don't know how it is in your state, but many states require a dealer selling a used vehicle to warranty it for 30 days. So you still might be entitled to have them fix it until it is done right. Don't delay, you need to address the issue immediately.

 

The Lemon Law in my state covers only passenger cars, does not cover motorhomes. So unfortunately that doesn't work.
Just wondering why it dosn't shift into 2nd only when it is cold, but shifts fine when warmed up for a long time?

 

I'd still try to get them to make it right. At the least, the tranny needs to be adjusted. At worst, it needs to be replaced - and the salesman has sold you a load of bull.

I've got a '73 motorhome with a 727 and we've got a shift kit installed and it doesn't in any way act like that.