2nd gear feels like 1st

[1968_Charger]

hey guys recently when i shift from 1st to 2nd it doesnt seem to change gears. it still feels like 1st gear. then if i shift to 3rd it shifts to 3rd. 2nd just isnt engaging for some reason any ideas? its a 727 with a cheetah manual valve body

also it did this all of a sudden, 2nd wasnt ever slipping or anything and its a petty recent rebuild

[c00nhunterjoe]

Verify the linkage isn't a hair off.

[1968_Charger]

yea already checked that. no issues there

[Cooter]

 I'd be looking to the rebuilder as it was set up with that manual valve body. Some have "Overlap" Problems with both bands being applied at the same time. If you shift it manually, does it seem like the cars brakes have been applied?
And if you Shift to high gear, then back to second, does it feel like 2nd gear is there?

Sounds like a band problem, or VB problem to me.

[1968_Charger]

i drove it for months and it worked normal then all of a sudden it did this. if i shift from 3rd down it still feels like it goes to first never locks up just feels like i have 2 first gears. could it be something in the valvebody?

[1968_Charger]

on a side note if anyone has 4 speed parts(need everything except the trans and bellhousing) let me know 

[John_Kunkel]

2nd gear is a function of the kickdown (front) band, if adjusting the band doesn't bring back 2nd something is broken/missing.

To adjust the band, loosen the jam nut and turn the adjustment stud in until it's just snug and then back it off 2 turns; hold the stud and tighten the jam nut. If the adjustment stud doesn't tighten, the band has broken or the link has popped out.

[1968_Charger]

Ok but if its a fully manual valve body would that still be an issue and would it still shift to third?

[Charger RT]

Ok but if its a fully manual valve body would that still be an issue and would it still shift to third?

yes

1st gear is a clutch with a sprag holding.
2nd gear adds a band to the clutch. if the band does not come on the sprag and clutch keep first gear going.
3rd gear releases the band and adds the second clutch to the first clutch. So if the band is not working and the second clutch is applied it just goes to third.

If the band is not broke and is still able to be adjusted I would check the servo seal. I think the older trans used a different servo design then later transmissions. But I sure replaced a lot of servo seals and unjammed a lot of the 80's model transmissions. The seal is replaceable in car.
Tim

[John_Kunkel]

The kickdown servo doesn't have rubber "seals" like the rear servo.

[1968_Charger]

so where do i need to make the adjustment to fix this issue?

[c00nhunterjoe]

Kickdown band adjustment is right above and slightly forward of the gear linkage lever on the trans.

[oldkimmer]

............when ur trans was rebuilt and ur builder set the 2nd band to 1 1/2 turns u smoked the band.......1 1/2 turns is for the 5.0 lever........4.2 and 3.8 levers u need at least 2 turns, backed off from 72 inch pounds....3.2 and 2.9 levers u need 2 1/4.....kim.....

[1968_Charger]

It drove fine up until one day when it did this out of the blue. Wouldn't I have noticed something as soon as the transmission was put in if something was wrong?

[John_Kunkel]

Mechanisms can work fine right up to the point where they wear out or break.