my 62 shifts to early

tiparosa · February 12th, 2007, 07:46 AM

1962 Dynamic shifts from 1st to 2nd and the engine seems to be "lugging" when she shifts to the point it does not appear to be the correct shift time. Is there a way to adjust when the hydro shifts gears? the car is all stock.

thanks,
T

American Lead · February 12th, 2007, 01:46 PM

I do not know about the trans, but in my 55 manual it says a sluggish engine can be easily mistaken for trans, hope you find your problem.

tiparosa · February 17th, 2007, 08:46 PM

The more I drive the car the more I agree with you Paul. My 62 has a rebuilt 394 and rebuilt tranny within the last 2 years and it is an outstanding driver besides the early shifting. The more I drive it the more I can manage the shifting with the gas and brakes which makes it more tolorable.

Kahuna · April 14th, 2007, 09:08 PM

When I first got my '62 Dynamic 88 a couple of years ago, I experienced the same phenomenon and thought something was wrong with my transmission, so I did some research. The “Slim Jim” Roto-Hydramatic Model 10 4-S (four stage) transmission is essentially a three forward gear, one reverse gear design with a small torque converter. The torque converter's stator, the "Accel-A-Rotor", creates a two-stage shift effect in first gear. The shift from first to second speed (or stage) happens early by design, within a few feet of travel to get the heavy car launched. The "Accel-A-Rotor" actually converts the first gear ratio from 3.56:1 to 2.97:1. When the car shifts to second gear, it’s actually in the third stage speed at 1.56:1. Third gear is fourth stage speed at 1:00:1, and reverse is 3.53:1.

Kahuna · April 14th, 2007, 09:45 PM

Thanks Paul. Love your Starfire.

aristellier · February 8th, 2008, 12:46 PM

Hi guys, I seem to have the opposite, on my '63 88 the first stage seems to hang on forever and then shifts almost immediately to 2nd, any ideas on how to make the 1st stage change earlier?

Olds64 · February 8th, 2008, 06:07 PM

That is probably normal for your transmission. My 64 98 also shifts that way. The best thing for you to do is adjust the throttle valve linkage that goes from the carburetor to the transmission. Definitely purchase a factory service manual as well.

rocketraider · February 8th, 2008, 07:57 PM

Doesn't hurt to have the factory service tools either. TV rod adjustment is critical on a Slim Jim.

I can think of one SJ in my experience that felt like it shifted right. It was in a 63 D88 Holiday sedan that I really should have bought from the old couple who owned it.

February 12th, 2007, 07:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
tiparosa Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22	my 62 shifts to early 1962 Dynamic shifts from 1st to 2nd and the engine seems to be "lugging" when she shifts to the point it does not appear to be the correct shift time. Is there a way to adjust when the hydro shifts gears? the car is all stock. thanks, T

February 12th, 2007, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
American Lead 2Blue 55 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 455	I do not know about the trans, but in my 55 manual it says a sluggish engine can be easily mistaken for trans, hope you find your problem. __________________ Classic cars are my drug of choice

April 14th, 2007, 09:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kahuna Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 20	Nothing wrong with your tranny... When I first got my '62 Dynamic 88 a couple of years ago, I experienced the same phenomenon and thought something was wrong with my transmission, so I did some research. The “Slim Jim” Roto-Hydramatic Model 10 4-S (four stage) transmission is essentially a three forward gear, one reverse gear design with a small torque converter. The torque converter's stator, the "Accel-A-Rotor", creates a two-stage shift effect in first gear. The shift from first to second speed (or stage) happens early by design, within a few feet of travel to get the heavy car launched. The "Accel-A-Rotor" actually converts the first gear ratio from 3.56:1 to 2.97:1. When the car shifts to second gear, it’s actually in the third stage speed at 1.56:1. Third gear is fourth stage speed at 1:00:1, and reverse is 3.53:1.

February 8th, 2008, 12:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
aristellier Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, United Kingdom Posts: 36	Hi guys, I seem to have the opposite, on my '63 88 the first stage seems to hang on forever and then shifts almost immediately to 2nd, any ideas on how to make the 1st stage change earlier? __________________ Aris 47, located in United Kingdom

February 8th, 2008, 06:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	That is probably normal for your transmission. My 64 98 also shifts that way. The best thing for you to do is adjust the throttle valve linkage that goes from the carburetor to the transmission. Definitely purchase a factory service manual as well. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

February 17th, 2007, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
tiparosa Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22	The more I drive the car the more I agree with you Paul. My 62 has a rebuilt 394 and rebuilt tranny within the last 2 years and it is an outstanding driver besides the early shifting. The more I drive it the more I can manage the shifting with the gas and brakes which makes it more tolorable.

April 14th, 2007, 09:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kahuna Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 20	Thanks Paul. Love your Starfire.

February 8th, 2008, 07:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
rocketraider Oldsdruid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Danville Vajenya, the Last Capital of Dixie Posts: 1,214	Doesn't hurt to have the factory service tools either. TV rod adjustment is critical on a Slim Jim. I can think of one SJ in my experience that felt like it shifted right. It was in a 63 D88 Holiday sedan that I really should have bought from the old couple who owned it. __________________ I know absolutely nothing about Oldsmobiles. Just ask the owner of Oldspower.com

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