Ever seen a possessed 722.118?

[KAdams4458]

My transmission is completely insane when cold. I know I don't really need this thing for long, because I am doing a drivetrain swap soon, but I thought this was at least worth discussing.

The transmission in question is in a '77 300D. No bowden cable or vacuum modulation here, folks; this just uses a simple rod driven by throttle, and of course the kickdown switch under the pedal. Fluid levels are correct, and no real indications of trouble can be seen in the pan.

Before anyone suggests it, the shift bushings are all new, and the shift detent positions are all correct as a result.

Here's the weirdness... When cold, the transmission can be in park, but it will suddenly grab and try to drive forward. It has done this to me while I was standing in front of the car, and it has done this when parked nose-to nose with other cars in parking lots. If that isn't strange enough, when reversing while cold, the transmission will occasionally and suddenly shift in to what appears to be park, stopping the car dead, and giving everyone in the car a good neck thrashing. Shifting to neutral or park and then back to reverse engages things again, and reversing is once again possible, but sometimes you have to do this eight times to make it out of a parking space.

Once a little warm, the transmission works fine. Even letting it fast idle for four minutes in neutral is enough to make the transmission behave properly. It short upshifts a bit under full throttle between 2nd and 3rd, but other than that, it works pretty well. My solution to this madness has been to let the car fast idle for several minutes in neutral while keeping my foot planted on the brake, and it seems to prevent issues.

Thoughts? Would a priest help? Heh. I just want to make sure it stays together long enough to give me the time I need to clean up and reseal the turbo drivetrain. This thing is currently my daily driver while my convertible hides for the winter.