Turbo 400, second gear shift getting softer

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by James McD, Jul 31, 2019.

  1. James McD

    James McD Well-Known Member

    Hello all,

    I have a 1969 GS 400, Stage 1 with the original transmission. It was rebuilt about (gulp) 12 years ago, and worked just fine. I have about 8,000 miles on it, and over the last year have noticed that it doesn't seem to shift as hard into second. It still feels fine into drive, but noticeably softer into second. Transmission fluid looks and smells fine. Anything I can check out that could cause a soft second gear shift?

    thanks,
    James McDaniel
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes, the vacuum modulator. If you have an adjustable one, try turning it in one turn at a time. if not, buy an adjustable one.
     
  3. James McD

    James McD Well-Known Member

    Yes, I have an adjustable modulator.
    I haven't adjusted it since I first put it on, would this affect the shift firmness when manually shifting?
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Ahh, new information, do you manually shift the transmission?
     
  5. James McD

    James McD Well-Known Member

    Only when I am getting on it. I leave it in drive when driving around town.
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I've talked with the NE GS/GN transmission go to guy, Mark Deconti about manually shifting a 400. What happens sometimes when you manually shift 1-2 is the 1-2 clutch doesn't come on right away, but the band does. Over time, that can wear the band. That might be what is going on.
     

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