What does this sound like:

New built trans,

brief rpm flare on the 2-3 shift at part throttle, full throttle i wont even try. Doesnt really feel like its slipping, but it feels like its applying whatever slowly.

D and OD leave me in what feels like 3rd gear, and it locks up in 3rd gear in either shifter position.

I dont think i've been into 4th yet, and i know in OD it should lock up in 4th, not 3rd. It pretty much does 1st - 2nd - 3rd - 3rd locked up in either D or OD.

Reverse is weak, it pulls reasonably on level surface. But if i gotta back up a hill it aint going. This might be ok though since the car has 4000 stall vig, and when i had a 3400 stall with my old trans reverse wasnt really a beast.

Also, this trans is supposed to be vacuum modulated but it shifts like a *****, part throttle, full throttle, either way. I guess i can try disconnecting the hose to test it, that should give full pressure right?

 

Disconecting the vacum will give max line. The weak reverse is likley normal with the 4000 or at least it will feel that way . But overall sounds like you have low line presure. I would get a guage on it with the vaccum line unplugged and see what the presure is , I certainly wouldnt drive it much if at all till I solved the issue

 

anything obvious that might cause this? Like something that could possibly be seen/fixed by pulling the pan off? hopefully i'll be able to get a gauge on it tomorrow.

 

let me guess, driving it like that seizes the forward clutches, among other things. Now all i need is a lift and a day off.

 

Yes low line presure can cause the forward clutches to slip/burn and even weld themselves together

 

what happens if you leave it off? will it hurt it?

nice deals with the layaway plan by the way. got me lookin now.

 

Not good to leave it off, Max line all the time very hard on the hard parts