TH350 in my Project Truck Fubar (see pics)?

[badpeanut]

I recently bought a 1972 Chevy 1/2-ton 4x4 with a TH350. The previous owner stopped driving it in 2002 because "it wouldn't move anymore". Even though the column shifter and linkage was hooked up and looked okay, I couldn't feel any of the detents in the transmission. I dropped the pan tonight, and found the S-hook hanging in the pictures loose in the pan. Also the detent roller/lever does not contact the cogs because the piece with the cogs is flopped out of place (pardon my highly technical terms). What all is wrong here?

I also included a picture of the truck the day I brought it home (rough body but fairly unmolested overall).

[Omnivec]

Well we need pic with the filter removed to see whats going on with the manual shift valve, which is what that s shaped linkage is post to be hooked up to. The whole shift assembly is way out of place as in shifted to far, the rooster head cog thing is post to have the spring rod thing with the roller in the cogs. heres a pic

[badpeanut]

Thanks for the picture Omnivec!

I'll take off the filter and get some more pictures of mine.

Is the hole in the aluminum case above the shift assembly in my first and second pictures supposed to be there (the tan "object" can be seen though the hole)?

[Omnivec]

Yeah that's normal its probably for inspection of one of bands. I don't know the name

[70rs/ss]

Looks like someone installed a shift kit maybe and didn't get the S hook installed correctly? Pull the filter, and it'll be pretty clear what might be going on. On another note, the fluid looks really red for a used trans, maybe it is fubar'd and they tried to "fix it"? Just hook up the S clip, and the shift detents and give it a try?!

[badpeanut]

The PO said the transmission was recently "rebuilt" (recently meaning shortly before he stopped driving it in 2002). I don't know what "rebuilt" means for this truck since the other work he did wasn't great.

Here are some pictures with the filter off (I hung the S-hook on the manual shift valve for these pictures).

Before I can test this transmission I need to get the truck running.

[JDahl]

It looks as if the rooster comb (what the detent spring rides against) is bent. Try this loosen the bolt that holds the spring against the valve body, and then verify that the rooster comb is tight against the rod that goes to the external linkage, (it should be a 9/16 nut). Insert the s hook and the tranny should be fine. If the nut is tight, loosen it pop out the clip between the case and the comb and get a new comb.

[m.lander]

all you need to do do is hook the s link up correctly. it wont drive because the manual valve cant direct fluid to put it in gear cause the s link isnt hooked to it. the fluid looks perfect cause it was rebuilt. you got lucky cause po was to lazy to find out why. the rooster comb is supposed to be curved for tension(should have a lot and its bolt torqued to spec. the s link can only go on one way so there is no way it can just slip off(you will understand when you put it on correctly. hope this helps.

[JDahl]

Originally Posted by m.lander

all you need to do do is hook the s link up correctly. it wont drive because the manual valve cant direct fluid to put it in gear cause the s link isnt hooked to it. the fluid looks perfect cause it was rebuilt. you got lucky cause po was to lazy to find out why. the rooster comb is supposed to be curved for tension(should have a lot and its bolt torqued to spec. the s link can only go on one way so there is no way it can just slip off(you will understand when you put it on correctly. hope this helps.

MLander is completly correct. When you install the s clip (which I forgot to mention in my post) into the manual valve and roostercomb, you will have to 1. loosen the detent spring (circled in yellow), remove the clip (circled in red) insert the s hook and reverse the procedure. My only concern was from your pictures, the rooster comb looked as if it may have been bent to the side (green circle) which may have let to the S clip falling out. Make sure that the rooster comb is tight against the shift shaft with the nut. When you have everything back in place, it should look like the pic with the brass filter, and you should not be able to move the s hook so it will fall out. If it does somthing is bent. The valvebody bolt that holds the detent spring should be torqued to about 100 inch pounds.

[LONGHAIR]

It should be as simple as putting the detent spring back on (that is why you can't feel anything in the shifter) and reattaching the the S-link.

In the following pic:
The S-link goes to the hole where the arrow #1 is pointing.
Loosen the bolt, arrow #2, and lift the spring/roller up and over to the teeth on the selector shaft. (arrow#3)
Hold it, with the roller wheel centered, and tighten the bolt back down.

Of course there could be more problems, but this is a good start.

[Long Roof]

It should look like this when you are done.

Same thing happened to me and it just happened to be that the comb was pushed off the roller spring because the comb nut had come loose.

Really easy fix.

[badpeanut]

Thanks everybody for all the help! I should be able to figure this out.

I'm going to get a new filter and fluid this afternoon.

I'll post an update with the results.

[m.lander]

thanks Dhal for the pics, i am clueless how to post em. remember that 100 in. pounds is different from 100 ft. pounds. your wrench should do one or both measurments.

[badpeanut]

Thanks everybody, the comb nut was loose and I was able to put everything back together with the pictures and descriptions. I replaced the filter for good measure. I'm working on getting the rear driveshaft in and the truck running now so I can test it.

[Long Roof]

Exactly what happened to me. Doesn't it make you feel good that it was so simple?