I have a 71 Comet with a 302 and C4. Whenever it is put in gear the rpms drop considerably and i also have problems with it almost stalling during acceleration or going up hills. It has recently been leaking a good amount of trans fluid. Any ideas?
Kitkat, First - make sure the fluid level is between the ADD and FULL marks with the engine idling in Park. Does the transmission down-shift when you go up a hill? (passing gear) When is it leaking and how much are you having to add to keep it full? Does it accelerate from a stop OK?
It is leaking whenever the car is off. Im not very familiar with trannys but it appears like its leaking somewhere in the middle of the trans, if that helps. A pretty good amount has to be added to keep it full after sitting over night there is about a four inch wide little puddle of trans fluid on the ground. It doesnt seem like it wants to down shift at any time, especially going up hills. And when you try to accelerate hard from a stop the car hesitates to the point where it almost cuts off, then it comes back and goes fine.
Kitkat, PaulS is a c-4 transmission specialist. You can listen to him with confidence. I just thought I would let you in on that little bit of information.
Make sure you are not overfilling the transmission. A four inch wide puddle shouldn't require "A pretty good amount" overnite. Are you checking the fluid level with the engine running?
Yes i am checking it with the engine running. a pretty good amount was a bit of an overstatement. but recently after the car had been sitting for a few weeks i started it up and checked the tranny fluid to find nothing on the dipstick
OK, a 4" wide puddle is about a teaspoon or so but we can talk about that in a bit. You are losing oil somewhere at a much faster rate than what is showing up on the floor - probably while driving. You are going to need to fix the downshift linkage. There should be a rod from the carb to the driver's side of the transmission where there should be a lever that pivots on the transmissions shift lever. With the throttle held wide open (full throttle, engine OFF) and with the downshift linkage fully depressed down toward the transmission there should be no more than .060" fre play between the linkage at the carb and the lever that actuates the rod - there is a screw to adjust it. The clearance has to be less that 1/16" and the less it is the better it is as long as it doesn't keep the throttle from opening all the way. This linkage and adjustment will make a world of difference in the way your car feels but more importantly your C4 will last longer too.
