Transmission problem

I'm posting this here cause I always get answers here.
I do own a Dodge truck, but right now it's running just fine.

Vehicle; 1980 LeBaron (149,000Km); 318 (49,000Km), A904 Tranie (71,500Km).
Generally the car runs great (after new rebuilt carb with ported vacuum,
installed), no rust, no body damage, slight vibration over 80 Km, another
problem for another day.
Problem; Tranie has a hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd if the speed is
increased gradually while going up a STEEP hill . It tries to shift but
just rattles. If the throttle is increased it shifts OK, it just seems to
do it at slow acceleration.
On a flat road, or on a medium steep hill, at any rate of acceleration, it
shifts fine, and you can barely notice the shift. During stop and go
traffic (rush hour?) where the speed is up and down between 15 and 20 Km,
the first dozen or so 1 to 2 transitions are smooth then it starts to get
progressively harsher.
City driving (stop light to stop light) is fine, no problems.
Towing a trailer with 3/4 yard of redimix cement had no problems (last
summer, about 15 Km on flat roads)

I've recently replaced the filter and fluid
There was some sediment on the pan and magnet, but nothing I
haven't seem before, on other tranies.
The problem wasn't evident before the fluid change, but then it wasn't used
in rush hour or on steep hills. The current and the old fluid smells OK,
but looks like
blood (murky red).
Used Dexron 3 with Mercon, couldn't find just Dexron.
Yes I checked the level of the fluid and it is almost at the max
mark on the dipstick.
So now the question. Is there an adjustment that needs to be done or is
this a tranie rebuild,
again?

Had a 68 Dart (in the 70's) with a 273 V8, same problem. After taking it
to a
tranie shop for a free tare down and inspection, then refusing the repair
(they had to reassembly the tranie and give me the car back, in running
condition, free), it never skipped again, up to when I sold it 18 months
later.
They never told me what they did.

Thanks in advance

Adjust the bands, particularly the front band. tighten the adjuster (found
on the drivers side above the shift levers) to 72 in lbs, and back off 2.5
turns. THere is a lock nut, so treat it accordingly.

If that doesn't do it, you may need to rebuild the trans. Likely cause of
the problem is simply old age. Sitting as much as it must, will kill a
vehicle as much as using it.

--
Max

"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)


"nirodac" <nirodac DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%E6mf.157364$yS6.61622@clgrps12...
> I'm posting this here cause I always get answers here.
> I do own a Dodge truck, but right now it's running just fine.
>
> Vehicle; 1980 LeBaron (149,000Km); 318 (49,000Km), A904 Tranie (71,500Km).
> Generally the car runs great (after new rebuilt carb with ported vacuum,
> installed), no rust, no body damage, slight vibration over 80 Km, another
> problem for another day.
> Problem; Tranie has a hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd if the speed is
> increased gradually while going up a STEEP hill . It tries to shift but
> just rattles. If the throttle is increased it shifts OK, it just seems to
> do it at slow acceleration.
> On a flat road, or on a medium steep hill, at any rate of acceleration, it
> shifts fine, and you can barely notice the shift. During stop and go
> traffic (rush hour?) where the speed is up and down between 15 and 20 Km,
> the first dozen or so 1 to 2 transitions are smooth then it starts to get
> progressively harsher.
> City driving (stop light to stop light) is fine, no problems.
> Towing a trailer with 3/4 yard of redimix cement had no problems (last
> summer, about 15 Km on flat roads)
>
> I've recently replaced the filter and fluid
> There was some sediment on the pan and magnet, but nothing I
> haven't seem before, on other tranies.
> The problem wasn't evident before the fluid change, but then it wasn't
> used
> in rush hour or on steep hills. The current and the old fluid smells OK,
> but looks like
> blood (murky red).
> Used Dexron 3 with Mercon, couldn't find just Dexron.
> Yes I checked the level of the fluid and it is almost at the max
> mark on the dipstick.
> So now the question. Is there an adjustment that needs to be done or is
> this a tranie rebuild,
> again?
>
> Had a 68 Dart (in the 70's) with a 273 V8, same problem. After taking it
> to a
> tranie shop for a free tare down and inspection, then refusing the repair
> (they had to reassembly the tranie and give me the car back, in running
> condition, free), it never skipped again, up to when I sold it 18 months
> later.
> They never told me what they did.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>