I have a 1973 302 with the 3 speed automatic tranny. Today when I was driving home a big SUV turned into traffic right in front of me and stopped in the middle of the road. I slammed on the brakes so as not to hit him and had to come to a complete stop. When I tried to accelerate, the engine would rev but there would be no power to the wheels. I put the trans down into 2nd and barely pressed the accelerator and got a little motion. As soon as I press the accelerator down more than an 1/8 of an inch the engine starts to rev, but I lose power to the wheels. Right after it happened there was a lot of smoke inside and out of the car. I'm wondering what could have caused this and what I can do to fix it. I can slowly accelerate and the transmission works as long as I don't press the gas pedal in more than an 1/8 of an inch. I'm afraid the transmission is going to give out completely and leave me stranded. If I end up having to have a new transmission put in, what are my options? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Jonathan
White smoke? Have you checked the fluid? Is it burned? low? Any fluid on the ground under the car after it sits? Lots of things it could be from minor to major...
White smoke + trans problem usually means it's leaking somewhere onto something hot. If the fluid isn't low, and the fluid doesn't smell burnt, you "could" be losing pressure somewhere and pumping small amounts of the fluid onto something hot, like a manifold. Time to get it to a mechanic that you trust (if you're not one) and get all the connections/lines checked and tightened. Probably a general inspection of the trans would be a good idea also in case I'm wrong.. (which is likely... ) I wouldn't drive it much, if any, in this condition cause without pressue "stuff" is going to wear -- fast. Good luck!
I am going to guess that the tranny was probably worn internally and the sudden stop has caused a thrust washer, one way clutch, or some other item to break or jam up inside. Even the converter or clutch packs or front pump, could have just let loose from previous problems. Smoke may have been from engine oil being forced out of the valve covers or breather, and leaking onto the manifolds. One other possabilitie could be the front pump seal, or even the driveshaft yoke being jammed into the output shaft of the trans. There is a freeze type plug in some of those yokes that could have been pushed out on impact and fluid would then leak past the splines and onto the ujoint cross shaft, then thrown onto the tailpipe. As before, these are just guesses on my part without being able to see the car in person.
I've got some new symptoms to help diagnose the problem. It seems like the transmission is slipping out of gear when I press the accelerator. As soon as I press down the accelerator the trans slips out of gear and the engine revs up. Reverse seems to be working ok. 1st gear works as long as I don't press the accelerator very far down. 2nd and third gear are not working at all. When I shift the car into 2low the engine shifts back down into 1st gear. Is it time for a rebuild? Also, are there any newer transmissions that will fit at 1973 302v8? Thanks, Jonathan
From you last reply it sounds like a motor/trans mount might have let go. This can affect the shift rod placement making the shift lever at the trans go out of it's proper position for each gear. If the white smoke contnues, the modulator may have a faulty diaphram causing engine vacuum to suck trans fluid into the engine. Burning fluid makes white smoke. You have to have these and the aformentioned possibilities checked out.
I just remembered something. Prior to the incident with the SUV. Sometimes when I would accelerate, the shift into 2nd gear would take a while, and sometimes it would grind. Could this have anything to do with the loss of gears? Jonathan
