I have not had the transmission unhooked from the car during my overhaul of the 302, initially it would slip from 2nd to 3rd usually high rpms would cause it to up shift and catch 3rd. Now I replaced the modulator and made sure I put the rod in behind the modulator, now no shift at all between 2nd and 3rd. Reverse and 1 and 2 are fine just no 3rd. I tried adjusting the screw out in the modulator to no avail. Tightened front bands no help, any ideas I'm listening. Also the floor shift hooks to the steering column and shifts back to the trans. is this normal or was this a column shift before? Thanks
The lock rod goes to the column. Yes it is normal. Your direct clutches are not applying at normal pressures. How far did you "unscrew" the modulator adjuster? When you say; "Reverse and 1 and 2 are fine " are you shifting to low and second manually or in drive they are ok? What speed does the transmission shift from 1-2? (while you are in drive with light throttle pressure?) Is the vacuum modulator connected at the engine and at the back of the tranny? What modulator did you put on it? (does it have the green stripe on it?)
I unscrewed the modulator up to 6 turns with no change. It shifts from 1st about 15 mph. I put the modulator with the white stripe which is what was in it. Is it possible the rod behind the modulator is not seated correctly? When we rebuilt the 302 we put a edelbrock intake on could there be a variance in vacuum from the stock intake?
If you unscrewed the adjustment 6 turns you only made it shift sooner. You have to screw the adjuster in to shift later - and NEVER more than 4 turns in any direction. Be sure to mark the # of turns and the direction (In - out) so that the next guy that works on it doesn't go 4 more and ruin your modulator. (going in too far will collapse the spring or rupture the diaphagm. 15 mph is a good shift point if you are not standing on the throttle - later shifts will wear the tranny out faster. Good luck.
What symptoms exactly? if you have reverse, first and second but no third and it is shifting at low speeds then you have valve body troubles, a weak direct clutch and possibly governor problems. The original poster had valve body problems - mis-installed.
