1960 Is my Tranny Fried

[60eldo]

  Here we go again. Now my 60 tranny seems to be going. I Have only 1st and 3rd. When starting off car stays in 1st and revs high before changing to 3rd, so I can drive it but not on the highway cause I can only go about 40mph. I have played with the TV rod many times but no luck. Do I need a rebuild. PLEASE SAY NO JON ITS JUST AN ADJUSTMENT YOU NEED>

[V63]

Is the fluid still red? Verify fluid level ...if both are ok I have had luck pulling (Advanced ability) the valve body and cleaning it... you could try a solvent based additive like "Transx"

If the fluid is dark, black or burned probably not going to end well.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

  Here we go again. Now my 60 tranny seems to be going. I Have only 1st and 3rd. When starting off car stays in 1st and revs high before changing to 3rd, so I can drive it but not on the highway cause I can only go about 40mph. I have played with the TV rod many times but no luck. Do I need a rebuild. PLEASE SAY NO JON ITS JUST AN ADJUSTMENT YOU NEED>

One thing is for sure, continuing to drive a car with a possible tranny issue isn't helping it at all.
There are worse, more expensive things to rebuild than a tranny, just get it done. Take it to reputable
shop with experience with our elderly cars and get a professional opinion. Then get it over with.

[60eldo]

  Ya, I have an amazing guy here, a shop that did my last 60. When I met him it was as though he desighned and built cadillac tranys.

[Scott Nellis]

   Jon would you mind sharing who your transmission specialist is? I live north west of Toronto and it is always good to know a good transmission shop for our classic Cadillacs. I have heard that Lawrence Transmission is good and works on the older stuff, but I haven't had anything rebuilt by them myself.
   Thanks, Scott

[Roger Zimmermann]

Only 40 mph in third gear? you should be able to go to 60 or more mph in third gear. Or is the transmission doing 1 - 2 and not 1 - 3?
If you have only the first and third gear, the immediate answer I have for you: leaking front unit coupling. It means a rebuild as the seals are hard like stone and must be replaced or the cover from that unit is damaged.

[60eldo]

  Yes Scott its Lawrence. Chris there is amazing, he did my last trany,,,,perfect

[60eldo]

  Roger , all I know is that it revs very high at 40mph, so Im asuming its 3rd gear. Maybe you are right that its 2nd, so what would that mean.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

  Roger , all I know is that it revs very high at 40mph, so Im asuming its 3rd gear. Maybe you are right that its 2nd, so what would that mean.

It means your transmission needs to be rebuilt.
Every mile you drive it prior to that is causing more damage.
Rebuild your transmission or sell the car to someone who will take care of it.

[Lexi]

Scott, I have experience as well as a buddy with Lawrence Transmission and Hydramatics. I recommend them. Chris is a great guy and if still alive, his Dad (Bob?) who started this shop in about 1964 was last I heard still lending a helping hand on occasion. Clay/Lexi

[Scott Nellis]

   Thanks Jon and Clay for confirming what I had heard about Lawrence Transmission. The kind of experience people like that have is invaluable. Those guys have seen so many different scenarios on so many different transmissions over the years it is mind boggling. It is comforting to know that there are still a few shops like that still around. Good luck with your 1960 transmission issues Jon. The driving season is now upon us.

[Roger Zimmermann]

  Roger , all I know is that it revs very high at 40mph, so Im asuming its 3rd gear. Maybe you are right that its 2nd, so what would that mean.

A diagnostic with so few information is more or less a joke. If you have 1 -2 (and not 1 - 3), it could be a leaking piston for the rear clutch or a broken seal at the governor. Have a discussion with that Lawrence Transmission for a better diagnostic. I could overhaul your transmission, but I'm afraid that I'm a bit too far away.

[fishnjim]

These still are in the band adjustment period, if I recall, so that's one more thing to try before you spend the big bucks.  Slippage is not a TV rod thing.  Could be crud in the valve body, etc.   I'd take Roger's word for it though.  He's helped me.   I don't like trans work.
There's a "check out" procedure in the manual you can use, if you have one.   Maybe on internet too.   
There's really not enough info about the condition, etc to make a wear / condition call, so the trans shop would be your best option.   I got an old guy over here and he can test drive and tell what's what.   You can "run til she blows" as we used to say, but it's up to you if you want to be stranded or not.   Just maybe more $ for parts.   The used car guys would put saw dust in it and sell it...

[Roger Zimmermann]

These still are in the band adjustment period, if I recall, so that's one more thing to try before you spend the big bucks.

Those transmissions don't have an adjustable band. It was the previous generation (till 1955) which had two band needed adjustment.

[TJ Hopland]

That trans is basically 2 2 speeds in series so 1st is low low,  2nd is high low,  3rd low high, and 4th is high high.   Looking at the chart if its actually 1st and 3rd that work it seems like the issue would have to be the front coupling isn't doing its thing.  The front coupling and a sprag are the main parts of the front section and I would think a sprag would normally fail in the open position not locked so that leaves the coupling.   

I have not dug deep enough into these to see what controls or could fail related to that coupling.  I would assume its got to be a valve that isn't letting the fluid in for some reason or perhaps its not able to hold onto the fluid if its getting there?

That front coupling that does the 1-2 or 3-4 shift I assume is why you usually can't hardly feel those shifts. Much smoother than the clutch that is in the rear section or other models.

[Roger Zimmermann]

If the tiny seals are like this front unit coupling, there will be no second or 4th gear. With the age, those tiny seals are hard like glass, are retracting and let some void, preventing pressure build-up.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I'm certainly not a transmission person, but it sounds like it isn't going into 4th. Have you looked at the linkage? Maybe the transmission thinks you want it in 3rd.
Good luck.

Jeff R

[59-in-pieces]

Roger is so right about those tiny seals - brittle over/from time and heat.

The sawdust comment is also spot on but with a manual trans - never in a fluid drive automatic - clog much.

I also had an experience once with the governor clogged or having broken/cracked rings - can't quite remember which.

However, although you didn't indicate the mileage as shown, a full rebuild is money well spent - or like they say about FORDs - Fix Or Repair Daily.

And if you are up for fun and excitement to repair it yourself, check out the Shop Manual trouble shooting sections, and prepare for many tiny tools (snap rings) and parts - and watch out for the tiny spring loaded ball bearings acting as check valves.
How do I know this, well I blew up the trans in my sisters car and tried to give it back to her, as her problem.  My Dad stepped in and said I would rebuild it while she drove my car - and I would be on foot until it was fixed.  He was quite the motivator.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[Big Fins]

  Roger , all I know is that it revs very high at 40mph, so Im asuming its 3rd gear. Maybe you are right that its 2nd, so what would that mean.

The unit is locked in the low side. If the unit was in 3rd gear it would tach out at 80 mph. That is what would be 'passing gear'.

[Big Fins]

Personally, I would change out the fluid and filter, first be sure the TV rod is spot on and go from there.Your FSM will detail the procedure for this adjustment. The next item on my list would be the valve body. If you pull the valve body and bench it... pictures, lots and lots and lots of pictures. You can remove the valve body without removing the trans from the car. Just drop the pan and save your new fluid.