Governor gear on automatic 84

[corvetterider84]

I am about to undergo the expense of having my automatic transmission completely rebuilt. However, in a last minute attempt to avoid such an expense (1400) , I 've been trying to fix the problem myself. I was told that the transmission in my 84 is controlled by the cable that works with the throttle. I read up on how to adjust this cable and learned all the functions and importance of it, and still no results. The problem with my car is that it will not shift out of first gear, with an occasional slip to what seems like its in neutral. The tranny fluid has been checked and is full and does not look or smell burnt. I've been reading up on this tranny and it seems that the governor gear could be causing the exact symptoms mine is experiencing. I also learned that the tranny is not controlled by vacuum like I previously thought, but by the cable. I was just wondering if any has encountered this same problem, and whether or not the governor gear has fixed it. If so, is the gear easy to get at and install, or should it be brought to the shop. I am decently mechanically inclined, but don't know a thing about the internals of a tranny. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
It is VERY possible that the governor gear has worn and that is your concern.
You can very easily pop the cover off and remove the governor to inspect it.
The key is to install the cover correctly so that it does not leak.
It is a round cover, near the tailshaft of the transmission.
On some, it has a wire retainer that pops off to one side and then you can pry the cover off.
Once this cover is off, you can pull the governor out of the hole and inspect the gear.
If the center of the gear is at all worn, this will create your condition.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

 

[corvetterider84]

Thank you very much for your quick reply. I will probably try doing this tomorrow afternoon and see what it looks like. I will definitlely keep you updated. Thanks again.

 

[68Roadster]

CR84,
Had the same problem on my 85. The local dealer replaced the governor gear and the car was fine. I can't remember how long but then it started acting up again, same symptoms you describe. I checked the governor gear and it was OK. Ended up having the tranny rebuilt. This was back around 88 or so and it ran me 1500.00. I probably got taken but auto tranny's aren't my specialty.
Replacing the gear is no biggie, I think I still have one in my toolbox. Hope this takes care of your problem. Let us know how she turns out.

 

[corvetterider84]

Today i pulled the governor gear out of my transmission. The cover that I had to pull off had silicone holding it on, so I'm guessing maybe a previous owner had to replace this part as well. Any way, it appears that the plastic gear is very worn or grooved in the center and the outer portions of the gear seem ok. I'm hoping that this is the problem and now all i need to do is locate one. I tried autozone today and they said they didn't carry it. Tomorrow I'm gonna try a transmission shop that I know of and they should have it. I'm thinking i should be able to buy just the plastic gear and that i won't need the assembly that its mounted to??? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you all for your help.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

you should be able to get a gear maybe the dealer . make sure it is very clean and watch the valve when you move the weights make sure it is not sticking Steve

 

[68Roadster]

cr84,

PM me your address if ya can't find one and I'll mail ya this one....I don't have a need for it...

Cee

 

[corvetterider84]

I got the gear and put it in today, but I do appreciate the offer roadster. The problem i have now is getting that stupid cover on. I thought it was on all the way and went for a test drive up my driveway and lost all my fluid in the process. Tomorrow I'm gonna try to put it on right after work and hopefully i will get to see if it shifts, since today i lost all the fluid and it just started revving. Is there any way to get this on there more easily??? I could barely fit the head of hammer in there to tap it on. I really do think this should fix my problem judging by the comparison of the new gear to the old gear.

 

[corvetterider84]

Hi there,
It is VERY possible that the governor gear has worn and that is your concern.
You can very easily pop the cover off and remove the governor to inspect it.
The key is to install the cover correctly so that it does not leak.
It is a round cover, near the tailshaft of the transmission.
On some, it has a wire retainer that pops off to one side and then you can pry the cover off.
Once this cover is off, you can pull the governor out of the hole and inspect the gear.
If the center of the gear is at all worn, this will create your condition.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

Great news!! I got the gear in and the cover installed correctly this time. I took the car for a ride up the road tonight and it is shifting perfectly now. I couldn't believe it because I've had it in my mind since this problem occured back in last november that I was gonna need a complete tranny rebuild. Can't believe I got away with it this cheap ($5 for the gear). I hope anyone else experiencing the same problem as me will check this out before paying for a rebuild that they may not need. Thanks everyone for all your help. Again much appreciated.

 

[WhalePirot]

Knowledge is power is money. IC you're already a contributing member, but I hear Rob can always use more cash. :W

 

[hpbadger]

Did you have to pull off the exhaust system to access the governor cover? I am about to attempt this myself. I think my gear is sticking because I think dirt got in there when I pulled my radiator. Thanks!

 

[corvetterider84]

Did you have to pull off the exhaust system to access the governor cover? I am about to attempt this myself. I think my gear is sticking because I think dirt got in there when I pulled my radiator. Thanks!

Nope, it wasn't necessary to remove the exhaust, just a little cramped in there, but very possible to do. Pry the cover off with a screw driver then tap it on evenly with something heavy. Of course don't bang it too hard. I used some silicone on mine to be sure it wouldn't leak. Hope you are as lucky as me.

 

[hpbadger]

Nope, it wasn't necessary to remove the exhaust, just a little cramped in there, but very possible to do. Pry the cover off with a screw driver then tap it on evenly with something heavy. Of course don't bang it too hard. I used some silicone on mine to be sure it wouldn't leak. Hope you are as lucky as me.

Thanks! I was able to get it back on. Unfortunatly it did not fix the problem. I am still stuck in 1st gear.:cry The gear looked fine as did the weights and springs. The valve would seem to move just fine. I am not certain how far down the cylinder it is supposed to move but it did not seem stuck or anything.

I shot air down the governor shaft hole to blow out any gunk that might be in there as a result of my radiator removal but that did not do anything. I i I guess I will be seeing my friendly neighborhood tranny shop.