OK ... i have a 1971 buick skylark GS 350. I was driving the other day and while i was getting on the freeway my car would not shift from 2 - 3 it was just giving me really hing revs. so i pulled over and when i did the engine cut out. i tried to start it again but got nothing just cranked over and over like the battery was dead. The next day i got it started and i heard the rocker arms rattling loud! Its also begun to leak oil I have no idea whats going on or where to start! ANY IDEAS!!!!! :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:
Sounds first of all like the tranny is acting up, that's why it would'nt shift, this could have easily have been a vac line leak, a governor problem or sticking kickdown valve. Were you into the throttle when all this happened? SOunds like you have also hurt the engine now, you may have a spun bearing instead of rocker problems. Just guessing here, but I don't have much info to go off of. here. Jim Burek
I doubt you have spun any bearings--my bet is you over reved the engine and bent some pushrods--this is what is causing your valve train noise. Pull the valve covers off and I bet that is what you find. If they are bent, just replace them and keep right on trucking. The not shifting is definitely the transmisison. Check to make sure the line from the engine intake manifold down to the vacuum modulator didn't come loose or something. If you find transmission fluid in the line, then the modulator has failed and that is why it won't shift.
With the vacuum modulator disconnected the trans will still shift, same with the kickdown. It will just shift at the point it would under WOT. Sticking governer WILL cause it to stay in gear for ever. Depending on your budjet, and the condition of the rest of the motor, you may want to just look for a running motor and trans combo and drop it in. A sticking governor is easy to fix, and doesn't need a transmission guy. If it is something in the valvebody or clutchpaks most people would have to take it to the tranny shop. Although rebuilding a trans actually isn't hard, just sounds hard.... The motor is the mystery, since you don't know exactly what is going on. My guess is the oil leak is the front or rear main seal, since those are the only ones effected by revving. Definatly pull the valve cover. Mayke sure the rockers got enough oil and check the play in everything.... Drain the oil too, check to see if any bearing material is in the mix....
good point, was it slipping or just stuck in a low gear? after you got it running, did it shift thru the gears?
yeah the gears were definately sliping sounded like it was about to shift but could catch the gear to shift. so far i have taken off the valve cover and found one bent push rod.so ill get that fixed but if i cant figure the tranny i might just buy a street/strip 400 trans and drop that in. as far as the oil leak goes i will check the seals. THANX A LOT GUYS YOU HAVE HELPED SO MUCH!
I woundn't bother with a Th400. It is heavier and has greater power loss. If you are going that route, get a TH350, it will hold up just about any power our 350's can make. Does the transmission work now at all? Where are you located? I think I have a bunch of pushrods if you need one, or more, for free.
Right now i'v taken off the valve covers and replaced the oil and tranny fluid. the oil smelled burnt. I live out in pasadena california, near L.A. but yeah if you could give me some push rods that would be great. Id be willing to pay for shipping.
I'll look for them tonight. I replaced all of mine with adjustable ones a couple months ago, I'm pretty sure I kept my old ones. Shipping will probabally be to cheap to even worry about. Was there alot of grey sludge in the oil pan? what about metal filings?
arg, looks like I must have thrown out the pushrods.... I found my box with all the springs and old valves and such... but no luck on the rods.
well i took off the bolts to the oil pan but the exhaust pipe is in the way. is there any way to remove the oil pan with out taking off the exhaust pipes?
When I asked about the grey sludge and metal filings I meant to say transmission pan. It is still a good idea to check the oil pan, and you can change the rear main seal while you're in there.
well as i turns ou i got the oil pan off and guess what i found!!! a rod and the main bearings alll munched up. so now i hink the inside must be torn to hell. so im going to find an engiine to replace the old one. If anyone near s. california has an engine they want to sell 350 or 383 long block let me know.
That sucks. 383? what?!? a chevy block?!? You may want to look into going 455, I don't think the swap is all that involved, and you might need a new trans anyway.... 455's are pretty easy to come by...
