Dynaflow issue

Spiderman

Spiderman

Member
I've got a 53 Buick Special 4 door with a straight 8 and the dynaflow trans. When I got the car it didn't have reverse gear and through the forums and manual I adjusted the rear band on the trans. I aquired reverse after adusting the band woohoo.... I then decided to replace the engine mounts as they were both broken, which didn't change anything as far as driving and having reverse. I then changed the trans mount, and the thrust pad. After I changed the trans mounts I lost reverse again. I have dropped the trans oil pan and fluid and pan was clean, and intake was clean no problems. prior to filling the trans with flid I checked the adjustment on the rear band again, but after filling with fluid and warming up the engine I had Drive and Low but no reverse. I let it sit for a few days and started the car and now It doesn't have Drive , Low or Reverse. Trans fluid id full and nice a red and smells fine. Anyone have an idea to check to see what could be wrong,as I'm open for any suggestions.
 
On 60s buick, you adjust linkage to get shifter to select PRN12. If it is off, you can have it not engaging in the right spot. Also, mechanical failure in the linkage can cause it to slop around instead to be in the same spot everytime. Just to mention these cars are worn. If u ever see someone trying to hook up a trailer hitch to the towing ball, its aligned, but after puting it in park and moving foot off brakes it gets misaligned.
 
Thanks GLO3, I've adjusted the linkage as per chassis manual. But I also have moved the gear selector a little for any slop in the linkage, and it didn't make any difference in getting the trans to finding a gear forward or reverse.
 
I had Drive and Low but no reverse. I let it sit for a few days and started the car and now It doesn't have Drive , Low or Reverse
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You've probably already run through all of this, but in case it help: I saw this in an old Chilton manual on troubleshooting Dynaflow issues:

Car will not move in any range - rear wheels turn freely

- Car won't move in any range for 1 to 8 minutes after standing all night.
Front oil pump pressure is zero until car will move. Requires removal and inspection of front oil pump and if condition has existed for some time the clutch and bands should be inspected for signs of excessive wear.

- Car will not move in any range after backing up.
Air is leaking into pump suction line. Remove oil pan and check oil intake pipe and contact with seal ring in servo body assembly.


There's other issues listed - Car won't move / rear wheels locked (parking pawl broken); car won't move in drive, otherwise OK; car won't move in reverse, otherwise OK; etc. but that doesn't SEEM to match your symptoms. And you've already checked linkage adjustment, fluid level, etc. Sounds like reverse went away when you changed the trans thrust pad, but you still had drive? That does sound more like linkage misalignment than transmission failure if "moving the transmission" was the only change there. Sounds like you still had forward gears until you changed the fluid and then after sitting you were zeroed out. If it isn't linkage-related, that would make me wonder if you had something like "Lucas Transmission Goo" in the transmission that you removed and now the transmission is complaining with the thinner fluid? Hard to tell.

Have you run the car for the "1 to 8 minutes" mentioned to see if it'll eventually start to engage?

Can you put a pressure gauge on your transmission test ports?

The Dr. Dynaflow document goes into way too much detail for me, but it could point out some possible issues if any pressures are inadequate, slow to switch, etc. And it includes a printable "gauge" to help indicate if the transmission shift points are where they should be, if that's still in question.
 

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I just tested the front pump pressure with engine warmed up and idling in Drive and low the pressure is 40psi. Manual shows that it should be 90. I can tell the trans is going in drive and low, not sure about reverse as It's up on jack stands.
 
bittmann said:
if you had something like "Lucas Transmission Goo" in the transmission that you removed and now the transmission is complaining with the thinner fluid?
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Would not hurt to try that and/or STP to raise the viscosity. Modern tranny fluid is less viscose than original and work well in a newly rebuilt transmission, but old and worn ones revolt.
 
Just as a follow up on my previous post about my dynaflow transmission. I have removed the trans from my car using ratchet straps to pull the rear axle back (which worked perfect). When I unbolted the torque converter from the flywheel I also noticed that the drain plugs on the converter where not lined up with the access holes in the flywheel which put more pressure on the front pump. I live in Illinois about twenty miles from St. Louis, Missouri, I was able to find a transmission shop that works on dynaflow transmissions in St. Louis. Bill and Dan Transmission in St. Louis has been in business for around 40 years, Dan is 84 years old and he rebuilds these dynaflows himself. He's been working in transmission shops since he was 17, so he knows the in and outs of these transmissions.
 
Spiderman said:
Just as a follow up on my previous post about my dynaflow transmission. I have removed the trans from my car using ratchet straps to pull the rear axle back (which worked perfect). When I unbolted the torque converter from the flywheel I also noticed that the drain plugs on the converter where not lined up with the access holes in the flywheel which put more pressure on the front pump. I live in Illinois about twenty miles from St. Louis, Missouri, I was able to find a transmission shop that works on dynaflow transmissions in St. Louis. Bill and Dan Transmission in St. Louis has been in business for around 40 years, Dan is 84 years old and he rebuilds these dynaflows himself. He's been working in transmission shops since he was 17, so he knows the in and outs of these transmissions.
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I'm curious if there are any babbitted bearings inside of the Dynaflow and what are the shops doing if the bearing is cracked or worn? The tear down will answer this if it applies.
 
The most important on ANY DynaFlow are the bushings/races.
ANY worn excessively will cause problems.
Today we have more options by the way of needle bearings instead of thrust washers.
Makes for a dramatic improvement in overall operation & smoothness.

Tom T.
 
I am curious about the trans shop as I am 40miles south of Chicago and no one around here has enough "whiskers" to work on my dynaflow. Did you have him work on it? Curious as to the going rate to go through a dynaflow trans
 
I took the Dynaflow to Bill and Dan Transmissions in St. Louis, MO and he told me he would start on it last Friday. I haven't heard from him and don't want to bug him. His original estimate was fifteen to twenty hundred depending on what all he finds inside the transmission. My original complaint was that I lost reverse and didn't have park. When I get it back I will post and let you know what it cost and how the transmission works out. He didn't want the car as he didn't want to tie up his garage space. He just wanted me to drop off the transmission. He told me it might take a couple weeks to get the parts shipped in. Bill and Dan Transmissions 4723 Natural Bridge Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115 phone is 314-381-9999
 
Thanks for the reply. It will be interesting to see how it works out. Keep us posted I have a 52 Super w/dynaflow trans. Same drivetrain as yours . Stay in touch
Dave
 
Al's 52 said:
Thanks for the reply. It will be interesting to see how it works out. Keep us posted I have a 52 Super w/dynaflow trans. Same drivetrain as yours . Stay in touch
Dave
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Okay, I know it's been a while since I posted but I just got the transmission back from Bill and Dans Transmission shop about two weeks ago. They had it for 5 months and I paid $500 labor and $1820.00 in parts. I just wanted everyone to know he did an excellent job on the transmission and I have it back in the car and it is working great. So I'm just letting you know Dan does good work but kinda slow getting it done but he does it right. Bill and Dan Transmissions 4723 Natural Bridge Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115 phone is 314-381-9999
 
The front pump was junk, there were several snap rings that weren't on the shaft, and a spool valve was also in backwords. He was having a problem finding a front pump but I was able to locate one. That's about all I know that he found wrong.
I think it was a junk yard trans as it had yellow markings on it when I pulled it.
I'm just glad it's back together a running....
 
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