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shifting problems

ok guys and girls I seem to have developed a new problem. When Im driving down the road normally the tranny seems to shift to early. It bogs down really bad when it shifts like the engine wasnt turning fast enough when it shifted.
 
  I converted it from the rod to a cable kickdown during the 5.0 swap.      Also, I changed the fluid and filter. 
 
 Judging by my speedometer, It's shifting alot lower in speed Im in 1st shifts at around 10 to 15 . 2nd shifts around 25 to 35. 3rd shifts around 55 but kinda sounds like its winding itself out in the RPM range of the engine.
 
  My main thought on whats going on is that the cable isn't adjusted right.
 
The fluid level is fine. I've checked it 3 or 4 times, everytime it's in the crosshatched area of the dipstick.
 
The tranny worked fine up until the swap. It shifted nice and solid. Never slipped.
The only time I've had a problem with a tranny is when it was towed to fast and burnt something out inside.
This one was driven to the shop we did the swap in and as soon as the swap started the car sat. It was done indoors so I know it wasn't effected by the outdoor elements.
Any help on this would be great Im going to try and tinker with the cable tomorrow when my exhaust wont wake up the neighbors and get the cops called.
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.

shifting problems

Reply #1 –
I'll bet on the kick down cable. Check to make sure it isnt pinched or stuck anywhere it shouldnt be too.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

shifting problems

Reply #2 –
yeah thats my first guess the only other thing I can think of that it is would be the torque converter possibly went out while sitting but it only sat for 2 weeks I dont see how that could be an issue...... but stranger things have happened.
I'm going out to check it now if it doesn't fix it then I'll be back asking more questions.
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.

shifting problems

Reply #3 –
That sounds like it's already shifting a little higher than most stock 5.0/AOD cars...mine used to hit 2nd around 12mph, 3rd around 21mph, and OD at 44mph...that was under very light throttle...since adjusting it, it's been much better. It sounds like it's fine, but if you REALLY want to up the shift speed a little, you need to tighten up the TV cable...do it in very small increments and test drive it under very light throttle.
Project 3G: Grandpa Grocery Getter-'85 Crown Vic LTD 2-door, 351W with heavily ported/polished GT40 heads, heavily ported/polished Typhoon Power Plus upper & lower intake, Comp Cams 265DEH retarded 1*, FAST EZ-EFI, HD T5, 8.8" 3.73 trac lock with extra clutches, 3G alt. swap, '99 CVPI front brakes, '09 CVPI rear disc brakes, '00 CVPI booster&m/c + wilwood adj prop valve.

Parted & Gone-'88 T-bird Sport, 351W swap, ported GT40 heads

shifting problems

Reply #4 –
well where its shifting isn't really the problem the problem is when it shifts it bogs really bad and jerks and such like if you skipped a gear with a manual. I did find my timing was off not sure if that has anything to do with it.
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.
 

shifting problems

Reply #5 –
Yeah, if you're timing was off, that will contribute to the problem...less low end power.  How does it feel now?
Project 3G: Grandpa Grocery Getter-'85 Crown Vic LTD 2-door, 351W with heavily ported/polished GT40 heads, heavily ported/polished Typhoon Power Plus upper & lower intake, Comp Cams 265DEH retarded 1*, FAST EZ-EFI, HD T5, 8.8" 3.73 trac lock with extra clutches, 3G alt. swap, '99 CVPI front brakes, '09 CVPI rear disc brakes, '00 CVPI booster&m/c + wilwood adj prop valve.

Parted & Gone-'88 T-bird Sport, 351W swap, ported GT40 heads

shifting problems

Reply #6 –
still about the same its supposed to be at 10 degrees BTDC right? Im thinkin Im gonna have to go through and retime the  thing totally
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.

shifting problems

Reply #7 –
ok could the tranny not pressurizing right from a crack or hole in it cause this problem? I just opened my hood and saw something all over the exhaust wet, I figured it was a leaky valve cover until I got to looking and the head wasnt very wet. I checked the oil and it was fine. I checked the tranny and it was barely on the dipstick. I started adding some fluid and heard a drip underneath.
I climbed under the car and noticed its leaking from above the shifter from either a hole or a crack.
appearently its a spot thats pressurized if its blowing fluid all the way up onto the headers.
To make a long story short I think I found my problem
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.

shifting problems

Reply #8 –
OK but as a FYI...

Shortning the cable will delay and firm up the shifts....

To adjust mine I block the throttlebody open, then pull the TV cable till the tranny lever is at full travel and lock 'er down... Done deal, been working like that for almost 7 years... 1-2 shift is still about 17-18 mph, but it won't shift to 3rd till past 30 mph and then only if I lift the throttle, otherwise it shifts about 35... Remember I have 3.73 gears, it would shift probably 5-8 mph higher with say a 3.08 gear... Just have to try to see what works best for you...

shifting problems

Reply #9 –
well I had it so that the cable was tight with the throttle closed I'll have to try and open it all the way and do it. Now do you mean just so the cable is tight against it or pull all the cable through until the lever on the tranny quits moving?
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.

shifting problems

Reply #10 –
Yea maybe I was asleep...

BE sure the lever is at full travel at WOT... Guess I should have stuck that in there somewhere...

I'll put a little EDIT on my first post...

shifting problems

Reply #11 –
Ok went out last night and adjusted it with the ole lady sitting in the seat holding the gas pedal to the floor the throttle was all the way open and I pulled the cable through until it stopped moving and adjusted it to be at that spot all the time so now when the pedal is all the way to the floor the lever is going to be pulled to its limit.
Now as soon as I can get the battery charged I can test drive it and see if it worked.
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.