TH350 1-2 shift delay

[Chad E532]

This past weekend I had the car out for the first time this year and had some odd shifting delays.
On the first pass of the day it shifted 1-2 right on with my movement of the shifter. On the subsequent runs the car would run about 500-700 RPM above the shift RPM when looking back at the playback. I know there could have been some delay in the drivers seat on shifting compared to the light but it happened on 3 runs in a row and I was intently watching the shift light.
In the pits shifting from 1-2 at 3000-4000 rpms it shifts instantly but on the track under load trying to shift at 6600 and the playback was showing up around 7100. I bumped my light down to 6300 to try and short shift it and it still went to 7100.

I am thinking it might be best to start working on a spare transmission quickly to get this one out of the car and in for repairs itself.

Any ideas on if this is a steel/friction slippage issue or if it could be valve body related?

Thanks,
Chad

[Alan Roehrich]

It depends upon the transmission and the valve body. Without more specific information, it's really hard to say much.

[Chad E532]

The valve body is a TCI manual reverse pattern with no band apply.
Also, the transmission has about 250 runs on it since it was last overhauled. All the internals are stock with the exception of a hardened sprag and a machined drum for extra steels/frictions. They used Alto Red clutches and Kolene steels.

It could just be tired and need to have the clutches and steels inspected/replaced.

Thanks
Chad

[Alan Roehrich]

I'd get it out. I'm thinking either the lip seals on the 2nd clutch piston are tired, or possibly the sprag and/or hardened race is getting ready to give up. I can easily get 400 passes out of a set of Alto Red Eagle clutches and Kolene steels, with close to 600HP @ 3400# or so. Never hurt a set, ever.

If that sprag and/or race gives up, you're going to tear up a lot of stuff, pump and converter included.