The transmission in my 62 cutlass is acting strange and idk anything about transmissions. when driving in drive it runs through 1st tries to shift but acts like it went into neutral and when i let off it shifts, though i noticed it going straight into 3rd. when I drive starting in low(1st) and manually shift through the gears it goes through all 3 gears. yet 1st to 2nd shift is almost harsh and it chugs/jerks while in second. 2nd-3rd shift is not bad, noticable kinda feels like a mellow shift kit, and it drive perfectly fine with no jerking or anything. another thing is while driving it does not seem to downshift until i make a complete stop, unless i manually downshift. any ideas or knowledge on what may be the problem would be great.

 

Time for a rebuild. Our Jetfire was doing the exact same thing when we got it. My transmission guy charged me around $700 I think it was for the rebuild. Since then I smoked 2nd gear again. and now have to do it again. I had the TV adjusted to loose and it did not hold up to full power.

 

supposedly the trans was rebuilt, i guess it could be out. Id rather put a th350 in than rebuild the stocker. thanks

 

You will need an adapter plate for the TH350 and cut the floor pan. I would like to find a 62 Cutlass and use a 200 4R

 

I know, id rather have a more modern easier to fix and most likely wont break tranny in there though. I thought about the th200/200r4, are the cases smaller than a th350? im sure either one of them will hold just fine behind the 215.

 

Yes, the 200 4r is the same bellhousing as the TH350. As long as you don't get an oddball chevy one. The 200 would hold up just fine. It could always be updated to hold even more power but not sure you would need to. I would be willing to bet you would get around 25 MPG with the 200. I get 18 with the Jetfire and no overdrive and I have a heavy foot.

 

I know the patterns are the same, Im talking about physical size of the trans itself. I have a th350 with both bolt patterns on it but may go with a th200 if its smaller.

 

Pressure checks are the first step in diagnosing hydraulic pump problems (aka a transmission). Drop the pan, inspect for debris, fluid & filters condition. Something is leaking or bypassing its hydraulic circuit. That's anything from damaged lip seals, broken springs to warn out frictions & discs. Start with the pressure readings and pan inspection. Find a good old school trans shop or get a video and dig in.

 

I have an f-85 chassis service manual but its for a 61 and idk if the transmissions are the same as 62.

 

The 1961 through 63 F-85 Hydramatics are pretty much the same. The 1961 manual should work for you. But be careful that the specifications are right for 62.
A 1962 Olds F-85 manual is available on line. At Wildaboutcars.com
Here's a link, but you may have to join the websight to view it. It's free.

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9960368573417

 

could some one of put in a shift kit along the way ?

 

I sincerely doubt that anyone markets a shift kit for the RotoHydramatic 5, since it was only used in the 1961-63 Cutlass/F-85 cars. The RH5 is not one of GM's better automatics, and the slow 1-2 shift is a trademark of this trans. Adjusting the throttle valve rod is critical for proper shifting. Lacking the factory gauge, I used trial and error, increasing the length of the rod in small increments until the trans shifted properly.

 

I thought about doing that, and would love for it to work. I really dont want to do a transmission swap if i dont have to.

 

I adjusted my t.v. and it shifts way better now, im wondering if i can go to far with the adjustment or not. It shifts through all gears in drive and doesnt feel like a shift kit anymore but i feel it could be better

 

Yes, it is possible to go too far, but you'll know it as the shifting will be screwed up again. So long as you don't leave it like that, you won't do any permanent damage.

 

Thanks joe. Hey I've been thinking that you should send that cross ram my way so we can see how it runs in my other cutlass.

 

The only transmissions that will probably fit the odd ball bell pattern is what you have, the Buick dual path drive, and whatever Rover used with that engine in their cars.

Aside from those, you will need an adapter for newer transmissions. It is not BOP or Chevy pattern.

 

D&D sells the adapter plate to bolt up a Chevy-pattern trans, but even a TH350 will require floor pan mods.