66 Fury not shifting into 3rd
 

So last week I bought a 1966 Fury III. Had all kinds of issues getting it to run properly, and now that I have the motor dialed in she decided that she does not want to shift into 3rd on the highway. I am reasonably sure my transmission is in good shape. The replaceable gaskets have been replaced, and the transmission fluid is nice and pink. Up until yesterday she shifted smoothly. I am teaching myself how to work on this car, and I am reasonably proficient in tracking down/correcting problems. I have a service manual, and I am thinking that something is out of adjustment. Any suggestions as to where to start tracking this problem down would be helpful.

1966 Fury III 4 door, 383 with 4 barrel Carter AFB, Torqueflight Auto Tranny.

Are you sure it's not shifting into 3rd? The reason I ask is
On my car first to second you can really feel the shift clearly but
the torqueflite tranny shifts so smoothly from second to third you can barely notice on some cars. just a thought...

Tom

Tom-
Admittedly this is my first time owning a three speed auto. It may very well be shifting into 3rd. I drove a stick shift jeep before this, and I relied on engine/road noise to know when to shift. After 10 years, and several roadtrips I could tell you what the tach was reading just by sound. It may just be that I have to get used to the sounds of my new (old) ride. That being said 55-75mph had my motor running at what seemed like redline. Additionally, when I let off the accelerator it slowed down as if it were over revving second. It was also the first time in close to two decades this thing has seen the other side of 40mph. Thanks for the reply...

Rob

Yeah, 50 to 75 revving that high then yes I would bet it's not shifting to 3rd also as you say it slowing down so fast also sounds more like its not shifting into third. At that speed it should coast pretty well and not slow down like that. Might need an adjustment or something more.

Tom

Shifter linkage most likely. You haven't done anything inside the transmission have you?

Thanks for the reply guys...I have not done anything to the transmission. Bone stock 66 Fury with 43k miles. It sat for about 20 years. I did have the differential fluid changed on the first day I owned it. I checked the transmission fluid, and changed the oil at the same time. Judging by the quality of the fluids, I would say that the previous owner told the truth when he said he had recently changed them. Checked tranny fluid today, and the level was unchanged with a good color. I am leaning towards linkage as well. The previous owner had the linkage spring wrapped around the throttle return spring. I returned it tow where it was supposed to be. Would that have anything to do with it?

I had/have this issue with my 64 300. I found that my shifter is not in the right place. By the feel of it and look of it its in drive but its actually in second. If i move the sifter in between neutral and drive then i am actually in drive. I just assume it an adjustment but have not researched it yet. See if this fixes it. If not I am afraid you have worse issues.

So I looked at the spring that attaches to the transmission linkage. It was slack. I took out the slack in the spring, hooked everything back up and went for a drive. It is now shifting into 3rd but way too early. It cycles right through the gears before hitting 30 mph. I will keep adjusting to see if it makes any difference.

I also cycled through drive, 2, 1 and my shift lever seems to be in the correct position. Drive is drive, etc... thank you for the reply, and the suggestion.

Just keep adjusting on it. You will have it shifting where you want in short time. :)

Thanks Buffalo Joe...as soon as the Pacific Northwest rain stops I plan on taking a few hours and dialing it in. Replacing old wiring is next!!

Happy to say that I kept adjusting, and my Fury is now shifting into third...

Great Job! Glad to hear you have it fixed and dialed in!!!

Kick ass!!! Enjoy!!

throttle pressure adjustment is critical for transmission life

above ALL do NOT let the stock 4 bbl AFB carter get a way from you.

Thanks to everyone for your input...actually wound up replacing my stock carb with an Edlebrock. Rebuilt the carb twice, and was still having fuel leaks, so I switched it out. Also replaced the intake manifold gasket while I was feeling motivated. I actually have not had a chance to drive it yet. I am a security contractor, and currently on a job. So while my bank account replenishes I spend most of my day thinking about the next project on my car!