Tremec 3550 slips out of 2nd gear

SkipB · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 05:32 PM

Help guys! I have a brand new 3550 that is slipping out of 2nd gear when I back off on the throttle or I am just crusing along. If I am accelerating, no problem, it stays in gear. Also, reverse is very hard to engage. Any adjustments, suggestions, etc. The tranny has only 184 miles on it! Could it be the weight of the shifter and knob is too much? It is mounted in the normal back mount position with the shifter facing forward.

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 06:04 PM

Are the stops adjusted correctly on the shifter? What kind of bellhousing do you have?

DAVID GAGNARD · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 07:28 PM

Skip;

I have a tremec in my 65 Mustang and had the same problem in 3rd & 5th....My shifter was actually right up against the front edge of the trans tunnel just barely touching it and when I let off the gas it was enough to "push" it right out of gear.....made an adapter to move the shifter back about the diameter of the shifter,no problems since.....

Check when you have it in 2cd or reverse for clearance between the shifter and the hole in your trans tunnel,bet you find the problem.....

David

SkipB · #4 (**permalink**) 01-15-2004, 01:05 PM

Thanks guys for the replies. But I think I found the problem and it is me! I took my car to Armond at California Cobra. He drove it and had no problems. So, now, I just shift it much harder and it stays in gear. I guess you just have to be a little more abusive than I was being to make this thing work! It actually feels like there is a second detent when you put it in gear. I wasn' t going that far every time. So, problem solved!

SkipB · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2004, 10:39 PM

Well, I was wrong. I drove the car this weekend, and it was falling out of gear again. I took out the trim ring, trimmed the carpet (thinking it might be pushing the lever forward) and it still is slipping out of gear. One time, I was really pushing it in 2nd gear and had to let off because of traffic. When I went to accelerate again, it had slipped out of gear and I almost over revved the engine. I am going to remove the shifter boot (rubber type) as maybe it is too stiff and is pushing the lever forward. After that, I am stuck. Any ideas. Is this transmission adjustable? I have been told no! Once again, I need help!!!!

SkipB · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2004, 06:44 PM

OK, I took off the trim ring and just let the shifter boot hang. Problem is solved for sure this time. I think the boot and ring were installed when the car was in 1st gear. This positioned the boot too far forward causing the rubber to bunch up and pull on the lever when in 2nd and 4th gear. I am now reinstalling the boot and trim ring about 1" back from the original position. Thanks again for the "fix" ideas.