Hello, I have a ‘71 442 V8 with 455 and automatic transmission. This afternoon, I backed the car out of the garage and placed it in park
and let it run for a while because it hasn’t been running in some time. When I came out later to move it, the transmission would not engage.
I tried shifting between Forward, Reverse, Super and Park several times with absolutely no response. The shifter does not have a strong
click/feel to it when I move it to different positions (seems kind of loose).

| have no knowledge to base this on, but my hunch is that a controlling cable or valve might have gone out and that the rest of the
transmission might be okay (but I could be 100% wrong). Just curious if fellow vintage 442 enthusiasts might have an idea about
what’s going on. The only other thing I know to do is to verify sufficient fluid level, which I will do next. Otherwise, I have no choice
but to have it towed tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

Absolutely the 1st thing to do is validate ATF level & report back. Could very well be ATF level. Measure ATF level with engine (1) at normal operating temperature (let it warm up) and (2) with engine running.

 

Agree that checking the fluid is #1 troubleshooting step.

If you’re not feeling the gear detents, there may be a disconnect in the shifter linkage.

Column shift or console shift?

If column shift, the linkage may be loose or disconnected somewhere.
If console shift, the cable may be disconnected somewhere, such as the selector lever on the drivers side of the transmission. Or the cable may be broken.

 

Let us know what the fluid level is.

 

Check the fluid.

 

Hello, folks. Well, I am officially wearing a dunce cap. I checked my ATF level and it was BONE dry. I added
over two quarts and the transmission has become much happier. The column shift detents feel much more normal.
I stopped by a local auto parts place I use and one of their employees checked my level after I had driven
about 4 or 5 miles. Although the transmission is shifting much more smoothly, the level on the stick still
shows low, even after about 2.25 quarts. I’m a little uncertain about how much is safe to add, although
I may add at least another half quart to see if the stick shows any change in level.

I appreciate the comments from everyone who responded. Obviously, I need to drive the car more than
I have been. I’ll try to be a little smarter about this in the future.

Thanks again!

 

You also need to determine where all that fluid disappeared to.

​​​​​​….

 

Add ATF until the dipstick reads normal with the engine idling hot in park.

 

I know the answer to that: The garage floor! That car has leaked ATF about as long as I can remember...

 

Will do. Thanks for the advice!