Where did 2nd gear go?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
Where did 2nd gear go? TH400 trans with reverse manual, nearly new, shifts fine until last two passes of the night. 1-2 shift in the burnout box goes just fine both runs, I drop it back in first for the launch, leaves fine and when I go for 2nd nothing.....both runs.
EDIT--took it on a test run this morning and no 2nd gear at all.
Can't be the shifter or linkage or it wouldn't work in the burnout. Tried it on the return road and nothing there either. Any thoughts?
EDIT--took it on a test run this morning and no 2nd gear at all.
Can't be the shifter or linkage or it wouldn't work in the burnout. Tried it on the return road and nothing there either. Any thoughts?
Last edited by Elkwagn; Aug 24, 2019 at 01:06 PM. Reason: news
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
I can’t say I know much about the inner workings....
it was supposedly built to handle 900hp.
”Full Race” with reverse manual valve body and a brake.
I’’m only putting just over 400 to the tire and not using the brake yet
it was supposedly built to handle 900hp.
”Full Race” with reverse manual valve body and a brake.
I’’m only putting just over 400 to the tire and not using the brake yet
One thing I can tell you for sure, it's going to have to be taken apart to find out what's wrong with it. I'm not sure what guessing about this on the internet is going to accomplish, especially if you're not sure of the inner workings.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
Not knowing about transmission mechanicals I was more trying to get an idea if this was a complete rebuild or simply a lever or rod internally that slipped off something.and could be accessed by pulling the pan. I already had to do that to fix the parking pawl.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 48
TH400 trans with reverse manual, nearly new, shifts fine until last two passes of the night. 1-2 shift in the burnout box goes just fine both runs, I drop it back in first for the launch, leaves fine and when I go for 2nd nothing.....both runs.
EDIT--took it on a test run this morning and no 2nd gear at all.
Can't be the shifter or linkage or it wouldn't work in the burnout. Tried it on the return road and nothing there either. Any thoughts?
EDIT--took it on a test run this morning and no 2nd gear at all.
Can't be the shifter or linkage or it wouldn't work in the burnout. Tried it on the return road and nothing there either. Any thoughts?
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It should have a 4L80E sprag type drum, or if one can be found a sprag type th400 drum, or aftermarket.
When I had a RMVB 400 I'd start my burnouts in second and just take it up to whatever rpm and roll out. It was behind a big block that would rev to 8500 rpm if needed. So I didn't need to shift in the water box.
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TECH Junkie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,197
Likes: 1,383
From: Nitro Alley
The transmission in question may have an intermediate "Sprag" type of one-way/ free-wheel clutch...
People damage the intermediate 4L80E type Sprags often from misuse...
Even the larger Caddy 4T80E sprag that gets converted over as an intermediate THM400/ 4L80E sprag is not indestructible.
I often use these in our customers builds along with an outer race that I machine with varying heights for either 4 OEM waved THM400 frictions (My Preference) or 4 OEM 4L80E frictions.
When using a low power/ low RPM engine like the OP... the OEM THM400 intermediate sprag (if you find one) or one-way roller clutch should hold-up fine.
Speaking of sprags... anyone have a 64, 65, or 66 reaction carrier to sell... I am running low on these and like to hoard them... I had sprags made but need more carriers.
People who are not in the know (as far as our transmissions go), often interchange the names/ terminology of different one-way clutches.
Whether a ratcheting type, roller type, sprag type, or other style not commonly used in our transmissions...
Most other industries interchange these types/ terms fluidly.
So is it coming apart yet?
People damage the intermediate 4L80E type Sprags often from misuse...
Even the larger Caddy 4T80E sprag that gets converted over as an intermediate THM400/ 4L80E sprag is not indestructible.
I often use these in our customers builds along with an outer race that I machine with varying heights for either 4 OEM waved THM400 frictions (My Preference) or 4 OEM 4L80E frictions.
When using a low power/ low RPM engine like the OP... the OEM THM400 intermediate sprag (if you find one) or one-way roller clutch should hold-up fine.
Speaking of sprags... anyone have a 64, 65, or 66 reaction carrier to sell... I am running low on these and like to hoard them... I had sprags made but need more carriers.
People who are not in the know (as far as our transmissions go), often interchange the names/ terminology of different one-way clutches.
Whether a ratcheting type, roller type, sprag type, or other style not commonly used in our transmissions...
Most other industries interchange these types/ terms fluidly.
So is it coming apart yet?
Last edited by vorteciroc; Aug 25, 2019 at 06:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
This one will not be coming apart soon knowing its "hard parts" that are damaged. I'm in Montana and the race season is one or two races from done at this point, and Hunting season starts in less than two weeks....which means time to get the FZJ80 Lancruiser ready now. I will update this winter when its apart, I may change directions with this truck and stuff the engine with a new 4l80 in my '69 Chevelle and build a new engine for the truck and the TH400 (Nitrous maybe)
I have another thread labeled disaster on the dyno to explain what happened with the truck and 4l80 only three weeks ago
I have another thread labeled disaster on the dyno to explain what happened with the truck and 4l80 only three weeks ago
Last edited by Elkwagn; Aug 26, 2019 at 07:09 PM. Reason: info