My 67 326 2speed auto won´t shift. One problem is that the kickdown switch at the carb is disconnected. Cable is there though, kickdown was still working last year, must have popped off or something

1) do I order an aftermarktet switch (if so, where and which one?) or do I make an electrical switch myself?! ( previous thread)

In the manual they speak of Powerglide, but this thread tells me that is only for Chevys. So standard it has a ST300 and not a Powerglide! The pan-shape seems to fit this description of ST300, and I couldn't find a good match from the manual.. Powerglide is not the same as a ST300, but the names are used both for the same trans?

2) whats the deal on this?! Do I have a ST300, if I have a standard 2speed auto?

I need to order some filter and -what you call em- paper seal-units.

3) Where do I order them, and which ones?!


4) Any tips about the order of diagnosis the reason for the non-shifting? I'm thinking: drop the pan, replac filters etc., then see if (and how) to repair my kickdown switch and vaccuum line. Then HOPE it works, 'cause otherwise it needs revision.. And if the tranny needs revision, well, then the engine needs to come out, and then I should revise that, and since that is out, I should redo the engine bay, etc etc and then I might get lost in lots of time and $$$ consuming restos!

LOL.


Any thoughts are appreciated, thanx.

You could solve the problem by installing a pro-built 2004r.

LOL, yeah, that would do the trick on my stoch 326 2 barrel..

Well, speaking of which, the numbers matching thing is an issue off course. I have been contemplating about what to do if a revision is in order. I read here that a 326 is difficult to do a proper rebuild on: why is that..? Always nice to have some more power... Nah.. I gues I´ll keep it numbers matching anyway...

So where is the filter by the way?

My first car, a '65 Impala had a 2spd. As I recall it had a bout with not shifting. I think it was due to a dried out rubber vacuum line breaking.

Yep. Check the vacuum line to tranny.

The photo above says "oil pan and strainer removed". I.e, filer removed.

Ah, strainer = filter, figures, thanx.

Any thoughts on the kickdown switch? Easy to make (any tips?), or order one where...?

2-speed kickdowns are more available that TH 400 ones, but you are still talking about 45 year old electronic and plastic parts. If you are a purist, you have no choice. Otherwise both Lokar and B&M make aftermarket kickdowns.

I have the Lokar one, have not had a chance to try it out yet.

When you say the transmission won't shift, are you meaning:
1) It starts out in first and stays in first
2) It starts out in drive
3) It starts out in first, shifts into drive but the kickdown doesn't seem to be working

Which one do you have? Is it just the "switch"? I'm not that much of a purist, I want it to work for now...

I can start it, then put in drive, drive away, but it won't automatically shift into second gear. So as the speed gets higher, RPM climbs, but nothing happens, it won't shift to second gear.

So I think option 1, of the options provided...

Anybody have recommendations on filter /

Still strange that even in the CI Firebird catalogue there is mention of the Powerglide. I presume this is NOT the same as the ST300, so it won;t fit my trans.

And the extra deep pan is also provided for Powerglide, not for ST300's.. Whats up with that...?

I need filter & gaskets for a ST300, but strangely enough CI doesn't sell 'em. The one Ames has must be the right ones...

Confusing for a simple dude such as myself...! LOL

Yes, goes with AMES. CI likes Chevy's too much and the only "2-speed" they know about is the Chevy Powerglide.

I have the Lokar kickdown on my car now. I just recently installed it. But because of winter, I have not had a chance to test drive the car yet.

NAPA may have a fluid-change "kit" which includes a filter. It IS ST ("Super Turbine") -300. The reason certain books call it PowerGlide is because they don't know the difference and "make it up as they go along". I'd be willing to wager it's not a Pontiac factory manual that refers to it as PG, but Haynes or Chilton or something like that. The '65 Impala mentioned WAS a PG. SOME of the 6-cylinder cars (not the OHC stuff, as far as I've ever seen) did use PG in the Pontiac. I've seen at least two in '64 or '65 Tempests with the 215 6.

If you can't find the parts you need, I MAY know a transmission supply guy that can come up with them. He did for us about 4 years ago.

Jim

Okay, two possibilities: your vacuum modulator isn't receiving vacuum from the engine (vacuum line off or leaking), or the governor which tells the transmission how fast the car is going, and therefore when to shift, is sticking.

Either or both can be the problem but the first is more common than the second and should be checked first. Tranny fluid coming out of the vacuum modulator on the transmission is a bad sign.

The governor is less likely to be the problem but can be checked while in the car and serviced as needed.

I'm assuming that your fluid level has been verified with the engine running and the trans in park?

The number for the gasket is TOS18625 and is Felpro. As far as the filter, haven't found one yet.

Hey Wouter, I'm going to assume no parts places near you will have them. Check this site out.

http://www.autotran.us/st300kits1.html

And they ship Intl.

If you start out in low and try to shift it into drive at the normal speed it used to shift. If it shifts I would start with the modulator. Very inexpensive part simple to replace. Verify engine vacumn at the modulator also. Have you noticed any smoke out the exhaust? If so change the engine oil and the modulator. It has been a long time, but I think that trans would shift manually if the modulator is bad?

Just took my car out for it's second cruise around the block in 12 years.

1st time was about 18 months ago (had to pull the motor out for a bad oil leak) and it would not shift from 1st gear. While fixing the oil leak I found that the port I had the tranny modulator hooked up to was not pulling a vacuum. So I moved it to another port after I tested all of them.

Today the car shifted up into both second and third (TH 400). That's why I agree test for vacuum to the tranny 1st.

Wouter,

I don't know much about these things, but for WIW, I asked the guy that rebuilt my powerglide, and right away he said it was likely the govenor. He said it was inside the trans, under a side cover plate? He said it sounded like it was stuck or not getting enough fluid. (I can't remember if you said you had checked the level or not) He also said there are a million powerglides out there and it was a very reliable transmission, and all parts should be readily available.

Additionally, he did not think anything in the engine compartment or vacuum line would cause this. Nor would the missing kickdown be an issue. The kickdown switch and bracket was missing from mine, and I think it was $100 to track down a new (used) one. I have seen NOS ones on Epay go for $200 plus just for the switch. I found mine at Franks Pontiac Parts.

So, for what its worth... (I'm just trying to be the messenger)

Good luck!

Thanx, tht is helpfull info!

I'm gonna order some gaskets etc at Fatsco.com. This is affordable and gives me some gaskets, filter etc:

Overhaul Gasket & Seal Kit $45.24
Filter $17.80
Modulator $26.40

And I'm gonna check the leaking points, in order of most likely:

Gasket oil pan
Filler tube
Governor
Vacuum modulator
Low servo
Speedometer
Oil cooler under radiator
Rear bearing

After that I'm gonna fabricate a kick down switch. Then hopefully I'm all good!

Thanx for all help, I will report back when I fix it for future reference..

Yeah check the vacuum hose to the tranny. That happened to me about a month ago. That fixed the issue for me...