Hi there,

I have looked through the forum the best I can and came across a post from December 2020 that almost fits my issue but not quite.
I have looked at the trouble shooting guide in the manual but nothing suits my issue there either.
(Loss of gears 3 and 4.

My 59 Ninety Eight has run its Hydra Matic through both the original and new engine with no issues.
last week I removed the inlet manifold to do some work. All went great all back together and runs great. Test run around the block no issues however when I left the driveway in 1st and it went into (I think), 2nd, I heard a very loud racket from under the car. To me it sounded like a few small bits off solid steel attached to a string being dragged under the car for about 2 seconds. Got out nothing left behind and no oil.

I took it for a long run on the freeway. It would not get out of second. Sometimes going from 1st to 2nd got stuck so I took the foot off accelerator then back on again and then it changed but No third or fourth when in Drive.

Changed the gears manually I started off in ‘L’ this was fine and when revs were up I changed manually in ‘S’. I could hear and feel it go up a gear as revs went down and built back up again. Then I manually changed into ‘D’ there were no more upgearing.
So, to me only 1st and 2nd gear exist.

I checked to ensure I have not displaced the T.V lever when I did the manifold work I think it’s good.

Any help appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Isn't there an adjustment on that TV lever? Make sure you follow the factory manual to set that properly.

 

Yes, all set up previous and working well. When I removed the manifold I layed that and the accelerator lever back gently as to not disturb.

 

Yes, still all attached.

 

Would this be something that I could have disturbed or moved in a direction it’s not supposed to while I had it detached?

 

Did you remove the linkage support bracket when you removed the manifold? I'm sure you were careful not to disturb anything but I know on mine some of the settings are .020 of an inch on the adjustments so something slightly changed could throw it off.

 

Sounds like your rear clutch is not engaging. Also could be the 2-3 valve in governor.

 

Isn't there a reproduced Oldsmobile tool that is used to set that TV rod length? I thought I read about that on our site in the past.

 

Would the clutch not engaging be due to adjustment and the governor sounds a bit more lie something has to be overhauled?
thank you.

 

Yes there are adjustments I will start fresh with the adjustments from the manual.
Thanks

 

Good point on the .020 I will be checking that I should be doing this later today.
Thank you.

 

Try starting out in S range. It should shift 2 times, then stay in 3rd gear. If it gets to 3rd and drives ok, then the clutch is good. If it goes into a "no drive mode " then either the 3-4 clutch is not engaging. The clutch could be worn out, or the clutch hydraulics is defective. This could happen if the governor is defective. The governor is not hard to replace on this. It is in the extension housing where the protrusion is at. Passenger rear of the housing.

 

That tool was for the "slim jim" trans, 61 thru 64.

 

Well,
Haven’t been doing anything since the last post re this issue, so just going to drop the transmission pan this weekend and see if there are any ‘bits’ in there to see if anything there. If not will be tackling the suggestions provided here.
Thanks.