Tremec not shifting well......

Chris_H · 03-03-2001, 01:17 AM

Ok I think I have about had it with this Tremec (3550). The tranny is about 16 months old, the clutch is about 6 months old and the shifter is about 2 months old. the tranny is giving up a fight getting into any gear, especially reverse. If I toe the clutch in all the way through the floorboard, its shifts fairly well. This has been slowly coming on, and now its just a pain. It's almost impossible to get it into reverse unless I pump the clutch several times, and run it through a few gears first. When I shut the car off, the tranny is VERY smooth. Anybody have a clue as to what the problem could be? The tranny has about 22-25,000 miles on it. If it keeps this up, I will pull it, strap on some C-4, and everybody will see a shooting star headed towards the moon. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!

Chris

------------------
1987 LX, rebuilt 306, Mac shorty headers 1 5/8, 2 1/2" Mac off road h-pipe, 2 1/2" 2 Chamber Flowmasters cat-back, Mac underdrive pullies, 3.55, K&N, Tremec 3550, King Cobra Clutch, Steeda Tri-Ax, Autometer gauges, White face gauges, blue silicone radiator hoses.
Best times:
2.331 60ft, 9.966 @ 71.069 1/8 mile, 15.491 @ 91.846 1/4 mile at 4000 ft. elevation on street tires

moosejaw · 03-03-2001, 02:29 AM

I have a Tremec also and I have had intermitent problems like you say. I am beginning to wonder if there is a pilot bearing interference problem possibly caused by the bell housing alignment. This would allow the pilot bearing to drag on the input shaft enough to interfere with engagement.

Hmmmmm.

Mike

Chris_H · 03-03-2001, 10:42 AM

Mike, would you know of any way to check this? This is becoming so annoying. Had I known I would have this kind of trouble with the tranny, I would have just bought a world class or something, instead of this world class piece of junk I have now.

Chris

fordgasm · 03-04-2001, 12:30 PM

The fact that you have to push the clutch pedal through the floor boards to get it to shift indicates to me that yoor problem may not be the Tremec at all. Sounds more like the clutch, quadrant, fork arm or cable. That's where I would look first.

------------------
fordgasm
CLICK HERE to see my 87 GT

StangFlyer · 03-04-2001, 07:04 PM

Yes, I have to agree. It sounds to me like your clutch is simply out of adjustment. It's not dissengaging enough to freely shift gears.

Also, I hear people complaining frequently about Tremec transmissions, but I've had a TKO since 1997 with no problems. It's a strong trans and shifts great. However, if you use any other transmission fluid besides the required GM Syncromesh, it will cause shifting problems and premature syncro wear. So, make sure you are using the right fluid.

------------------
Dan McClain, Editor
The Mustang Works Magazine
1991 Mustang GT - NOVI Supercharged 377 Stroker
1999 Ford Lightning SVT - 2000 Prototype updated by Roush

StreetStang37 · 03-04-2001, 08:28 PM

Yeah the TKO is really strong. I saw in a magazine (Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords) where a Mustang is pushing 600+ tq at the wheels and 800+ hp at the wheels. I dont know how often its driven though and am not sure how long it would last.

------------------
1993 Mustang GT - March Ram Air & Pullies, K&N, C&L 73mm MAF, Super Competition Hooker Headers, 2 1/2 in. mandrel bent cat back, High Flow H-Pipe, Pro 5.0 Shifter, 16* Timing Advance

03-03-2001, 01:17 AM	#1
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Tremec not shifting well...... Ok I think I have about had it with this Tremec (3550). The tranny is about 16 months old, the clutch is about 6 months old and the shifter is about 2 months old. the tranny is giving up a fight getting into any gear, especially reverse. If I toe the clutch in all the way through the floorboard, its shifts fairly well. This has been slowly coming on, and now its just a pain. It's almost impossible to get it into reverse unless I pump the clutch several times, and run it through a few gears first. When I shut the car off, the tranny is VERY smooth. Anybody have a clue as to what the problem could be? The tranny has about 22-25,000 miles on it. If it keeps this up, I will pull it, strap on some C-4, and everybody will see a shooting star headed towards the moon. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated! Chris ------------------ 1987 LX, rebuilt 306, Mac shorty headers 1 5/8, 2 1/2" Mac off road h-pipe, 2 1/2" 2 Chamber Flowmasters cat-back, Mac underdrive pullies, 3.55, K&N, Tremec 3550, King Cobra Clutch, Steeda Tri-Ax, Autometer gauges, White face gauges, blue silicone radiator hoses. Best times: 2.331 60ft, 9.966 @ 71.069 1/8 mile, 15.491 @ 91.846 1/4 mile at 4000 ft. elevation on street tires

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03-03-2001, 02:29 AM	#2
moosejaw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: St.Louis,MO Posts: 274	I have a Tremec also and I have had intermitent problems like you say. I am beginning to wonder if there is a pilot bearing interference problem possibly caused by the bell housing alignment. This would allow the pilot bearing to drag on the input shaft enough to interfere with engagement. Hmmmmm. Mike

03-03-2001, 10:42 AM	#3
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Mike, would you know of any way to check this? This is becoming so annoying. Had I known I would have this kind of trouble with the tranny, I would have just bought a world class or something, instead of this world class piece of junk I have now. Chris

03-04-2001, 12:30 PM	#4
fordgasm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Clayton, North Carolina, USA Posts: 803	The fact that you have to push the clutch pedal through the floor boards to get it to shift indicates to me that yoor problem may not be the Tremec at all. Sounds more like the clutch, quadrant, fork arm or cable. That's where I would look first. ------------------ fordgasm CLICK HERE to see my 87 GT

03-04-2001, 07:04 PM	#5
StangFlyer Founder Join Date: Jun 1995 Location: Michigan Posts: 19,326	Yes, I have to agree. It sounds to me like your clutch is simply out of adjustment. It's not dissengaging enough to freely shift gears. Also, I hear people complaining frequently about Tremec transmissions, but I've had a TKO since 1997 with no problems. It's a strong trans and shifts great. However, if you use any other transmission fluid besides the required GM Syncromesh, it will cause shifting problems and premature syncro wear. So, make sure you are using the right fluid. ------------------ Dan McClain, Editor The Mustang Works Magazine 1991 Mustang GT - NOVI Supercharged 377 Stroker 1999 Ford Lightning SVT - 2000 Prototype updated by Roush

03-04-2001, 08:28 PM	#6
StreetStang37 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: San Jose, California USA Posts: 275	Yeah the TKO is really strong. I saw in a magazine (Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords) where a Mustang is pushing 600+ tq at the wheels and 800+ hp at the wheels. I dont know how often its driven though and am not sure how long it would last. ------------------ 1993 Mustang GT - March Ram Air & Pullies, K&N, C&L 73mm MAF, Super Competition Hooker Headers, 2 1/2 in. mandrel bent cat back, High Flow H-Pipe, Pro 5.0 Shifter, 16* Timing Advance