Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AirSpeed · 01-31-2017, 05:23 PM

Had my TH 350 in my K1500 rebuilt a few years ago and every winter I have to warm up my truck for 20 minutes before it will go into gear. It gets pretty cold here, down to -16 F a few weeks ago but usually gets to around 14/20 degrees in the morning. Is this normal? Anyone else experience this?
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demian5 · 01-31-2017, 06:26 PM

You don't mention fluid level and/or condition being OK. I would check that first.

kaycee · 01-31-2017, 06:49 PM

Drop the pan and see what it looks like ,maybe time for a rebuild,could just be a filter need s changed

scooterpimp · 01-31-2017, 06:50 PM

Alot of the time delayed engagement is due to weak/worn,dried up seals. Would recomend checking fluid or servicing trans with filter. Then go from there.

Keith Seymore · 01-31-2017, 08:10 PM

Do you have a deep/cooling trans pan installed?

They can cause what you are describing.

K

AirSpeed · 01-31-2017, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterpimp

Alot of the time delayed engagement is due to weak/worn,dried up seals. Would recomend checking fluid or servicing trans with filter. Then go from there.

Fluids are good, tranny was rebuilt a few years ago by a respected shop. Shifts nice and solid once warmed up but on cold mornings it takes about 20 minutes. We've had a colder winter this year so I'm wondering if that's the issue, it's happened a few times over the last couple years but seems to happen more this winter. I work from home so I don't have a lot of miles on the tranny since it was rebuilt.
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AirSpeed · 01-31-2017, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demian5

You don't mention fluid level and/or condition being OK. I would check that first.

Fluid is full and so clean it's tough to see it on the dipstick.
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cherokeejohn · 01-31-2017, 08:39 PM

Mine had to be filled all the way to the full line on the dipstick to go into gear at all. If it was only halfway on the checkerboard, it would do the same as yours at times, others it wouldn't engage at all.I also recommend adding a bottle of Lucas Trans Additive, That stuff has done wonders for me with several vehicles, all GM of course, 3 700R4's and 2 TH350's, It's about the consistency of warm honey. I use all Lucas Products in all my vehicles, fuel, oil, diff's, and trans. Worth a shot, as it's a helluva lot cheaper than a rebuild or replace. Hope this helps

Bigdav160 · 01-31-2017, 09:02 PM

The seals are old and hard. I seal swellling additive will get it working for a while but be prepared to overhaul it someday soon

AirSpeed · 01-31-2017, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

The seals are old and hard. I seal swellling additive will get it working for a while but be prepared to overhaul it someday soon

Would they dry out in only a few years? It was rebuilt about three years ago and it doesn't have a lot of miles on it.
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01-31-2017, 05:23 PM	#1
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear Had my TH 350 in my K1500 rebuilt a few years ago and every winter I have to warm up my truck for 20 minutes before it will go into gear. It gets pretty cold here, down to -16 F a few weeks ago but usually gets to around 14/20 degrees in the morning. Is this normal? Anyone else experience this? Posted via Mobile Device

01-31-2017, 06:26 PM	#2
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear You don't mention fluid level and/or condition being OK. I would check that first. __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

01-31-2017, 06:49 PM	#3
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	Re: Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear Drop the pan and see what it looks like ,maybe time for a rebuild,could just be a filter need s changed __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

01-31-2017, 06:50 PM	#4
scooterpimp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Newark ,Delaware Posts: 158	Re: Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear Alot of the time delayed engagement is due to weak/worn,dried up seals. Would recomend checking fluid or servicing trans with filter. Then go from there.

01-31-2017, 08:10 PM	#5
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,178	Re: Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear Do you have a deep/cooling trans pan installed? They can cause what you are describing. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

01-31-2017, 08:39 PM	#8
cherokeejohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wasteminster, Maryland Posts: 409	Re: Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear Mine had to be filled all the way to the full line on the dipstick to go into gear at all. If it was only halfway on the checkerboard, it would do the same as yours at times, others it wouldn't engage at all.I also recommend adding a bottle of Lucas Trans Additive, That stuff has done wonders for me with several vehicles, all GM of course, 3 700R4's and 2 TH350's, It's about the consistency of warm honey. I use all Lucas Products in all my vehicles, fuel, oil, diff's, and trans. Worth a shot, as it's a helluva lot cheaper than a rebuild or replace. Hope this helps __________________ 72 C/10, LWB, 5.7, Auto, with A/C F.B.I = Full Blood Indian Appalachia/Eastern Cherokee,"Tsalagi"

01-31-2017, 09:02 PM	#9
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Th 350 needs to warm up before going into gear The seals are old and hard. I seal swellling additive will get it working for a while but be prepared to overhaul it someday soon __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe



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