The only issue my transmission (3 speed automatic 1970 Cutlass S) has is: after sitting (like overnight) when I first try to go, I put it in reverse and it just sits for like 30 seconds before grabbing the gear and going...

Otherwise it operates normally--once it moves the first time, I can put it back into park and it will grab any gear I put it in

What is the most likely cause of this?

 

Low fluid is the most common - is it to the line?
Front pump could be going away - is the current fluid pink?
If fluid is old, I'd change the filter and fluid to see if that changes it.

 

I agree with the above.

 

I would add a sniff test. Does fluid smell burnt?

 

Sounds like "morning sickness". Basically the transmissions internal seals are bad. They are too hard, especially when cold, this allows fluid to blow by until they warm up and become more flexible. Not enough line pressure is getting where it needs to be to shift.

 

throw some trans-medic in it and see if it improves. If so, then seals are hardening and will need to be replaced real soon.

 

Fluid and filter change first. If that don't help, use the chemical.

Me wagon's T350 had an occasional delayed reverse, sometimes even after it warmed up. Also had a small leak around the selector lever seal. Dumped some TransMedic in it and it has gone away. Yeah, I know it's delaying the inevitable, but if a $10 can of joose will forestall an $800 trans job for a while, it's not a totally bad investment.

The expense doesn't bug me as bad as logistics of getting the car to the trans shop. Everything is closed and locked up when I leave for work, closed and locked up when I get home, and closed and locked up on Saturdays.

 

Sounds like some people I know. Strong coffee usually gets them going.

 

Thanks for the replies,

Sorry -- I should have mentioned that the fluid and filter was changed already as a first try to fix it...

So it's probably the seals

 

Would a shift kit help put off a tranny rebuild for a little while?
I like to recheck tranny fluid for a few days after a fluid change. Sometimes the fluid on the inside of the dipstick tube gets wiped on the dipstick on the way up and gives a false reading. After that slow moving fluid has finally ran down to the pan it's accurate.

 

Considering the fluid should be checked with the transmission hot/engine running, I don't see there being any slow moving fluid in the dipstick tube. At least I've never encountered this problem.

If it's consistent and only with the trans cold, I still vote hardened seals on the clutch apply pistons.

 

I encounter it everytime i change tranny fluid. When the tranny gets hot I end up adding more fluid...down the tube. The fluid going into the dipstick tube is room temp. Oil just seems to move slow to me.