Hey everyone,

This is my first post I have looked high and low on the forum for some answers. I just got a 1970 cutlass. The trans is said to be shot, by the previous owner. It goes into reverse but no forward gears. I just changed the trans filter and oil. While the car was on stands put it in drive and the wheels spun. But put it on the ground and nothing only reverse. I am thinking a trans rebuild but want to check here before I do that. Any advice is appreciated.
I should also mention I took the valve body off cleaned it. The old oil smelt burnt but no metal shavings and the clutch gew at the bottom was about the size and thickness of a quarter if you scooped it all up. Maybe a little bigger

 

Fluid full?

Most likely the forward clutch is cooked. Does the pan appear to have been off recently? If so, that probably why there isn’t much debris.

One of the first things people do when they have transmission problems is change the fluid and filter. Not surprisingly, that does nothing. Filter/fluid change is preventative maintenance, not a repair.

Th350 are pretty easy to build if your reasonably skilled. Very little is needed as far as tools, what is needed is easily fabricated.

 

Thanks for the response. Fluid looks a little low might add another quart. I don't think anyone was in this for a while. The fluid was very dark and the filter was pretty brittle. It was sitting for 9 years not being ran. They guy who had it before me, said it would not drive so where it stopped is where I stayed for 9 years at his house. He was not a mechanically savy person. I have rebuilt a few engines but never a trans, doesn't seem to bad from what I have read. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

If the fluid was a brownish color and smelt burnt I would venture to guess you need a rebuild.