[Jeff Hamlin]

Working on a 63 Auto right now and the cable was changed before I got it here.
The trouble seems that now there is no reverse.
I'm hoping we can adjust it but haven't looked into it yet.

If not is absolutely necessary to drop the pan to correct this issue?
If so were might I find a pan gasket rather than a complete kit.
Or can I just cut my own.

Thanks.

[mechanickeith]

Jeff,,, A lot of times the ball on the end of the shift cable does not get properly installed in the shift lever in the trans. This can cause a no reverse issue & also can cause it to go into gear & not come back out of gear. Its a pain but usually best to drain the trans & pull the pan off so you can see that the cable is installed correctly. Pan gaskets are available at NAPA & www.fatsco.com Or you can get a roll of 1/8" thick cork gasket material & make your own.

[azkeebler]

Jeff,

Make sure your tranny fluid level is correct when warm. There are pressure plugs accessible from underneath to check pump pressures. See your manual for specs. Can be a simple dirty or clogged passage in the valve body. As Keith says, the cable inserted incorrectly will create a no reverse, but normally will not return to neutral either. Check level of fluid in differential (at the check plug on side) and determine if auto tranny fluid is pumping into the differential instead of into the reverse pump.

From my experience, the best pan seal is "The Right Stuff " made by Permantex. Pricey, but is great for everything like pans and valve covers. Thin bead is all you need.

[63Banshee]

I too use a RTV sealant on transmissions where possible, same as I do on engines. Just make sure you get sealant specific to auto transmissions. What you'd use on an engine does not play well with trans fluid.

[mechanickeith]

One thing to remember when using a sealant like silicone or the right stuff,,,, Parts HAVE to be perfectly clean & dry before use. Right before assembly I wipe the sealing surfaces with a clean rag that have been sprayed with break clean or eather. Do not over use, less is usually better. I assemble while the sealant is wet & let it sit 24 hours before filling with oil. Never have any leaks.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Thanks Guys I'm still working on the engine, but will keep you posted.

[Jeff Hamlin]

OK, based on everything above and now that we have fire. I was able to warm her up and make an attempt to roll. After checking the Fl and finding it low I thought GREAT easy fix, NOPE She wants to go forward real bad but clearly has no reverse and/or neutral so safe to say the cable isn't in correctly.
Plans to raise her up and drop the pan this weekend.
Wish me luck

Thanks.

[Augie Valencia]

Jeff, I had the identical problem. Except when the tranny was rebuilt and I installed it, I assumed the cable would just go into the gear selector lever. As per Keith, I removed the pan, and saw that the ball on the cable did not engage when I installed it. All my gears were forward only when I shifted. Good thing I had adjusted the breaks before I shifted. I loosened the lever and engaged the ball end of the cable and the gears lined up. I had the shift lever in neutral. The other problem was the "O" ring in the cable linkage, I kept getting lots of fluid out of there, I removed the pan again, took off the shift cable and reinstalled the O ring, with additional blue gasket material. It stopped leaking and it shifts great. I was able to use the same pan gasket since it was not too old. Good luck.

[Jeff Hamlin]

HAPPY DAY!
It took us a couple hours to raise her up drop the pan, clean up a few things.
Removed the cable from the trans. Set the valve and cafefully re-set the cable/ball into the shift bracket and put it back together.

Thank you all for your insight, it made this simple project even easyer.

Drove her around back and then around the block a few times even without a front end installed Man was a it great to have this Tempest roll on its own power again!

Cheers!

[mechanickeith]

Very Cool!!! Glad thats what it was. Simple fix thats a bit time consuming, but worth it in the end.

[TempestFugit]

Problem solved!! always a great feeling.

[camerjeff]

Great news Jeff, I hope someone tok pic's of it running without the front clip!!!

[63 tempest]

Hey Jeff don't over torke tranny pan bolts uppsss