I have an engine and automatic transmission from a 1980 300SD that I have installed in a Ford ranger. I am having diffuculty with the transmission, It doesn't want to shift more than twice. I am running at about 3100 Rpm at about 100 km/h. the tranny shifts once at about 30 km/h and sort of clunks at about 50 km/h but wont shift after that. I have tried adjusting the throttle to trans linkage but I am not sure of the proper method. I know my shifter is putting the trans into Drive properly and of course I've checked my tranny fluid level. The vacume switches for the tranny modulator are on my valve cover but there was no modulator on the trans. My next step is to have the tranny flushed and change the filter, otherwise I'm stumped. The other problem I am having is with my glow plugs. The dash light blinks after start up and periodically while driving. Any ideas why? thnks for any help you have to offer.

It's working normally. It's a 4-speed tranny that starts in 2nd gear. 3100rpm at 100kmh is what you should expect with a 3.0x differential ratio.

It's starting in 2nd, shifts into 3rd at 30kmh and into 4th at 50kmh.

EDIT: 30 and 50 is somewhat early to shift. I'm unsure of how to adjust the shift points on the 80SD.

your blinking Glow Plug light means that one or more of your GP's are faulty. it was one of the first two plugs in my engine when that happened.

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-Trevor

OBK #12
1980 300SD 333,XXX miles - Totaled
1986 Mazda RX-7 212,XXX miles - impounded and auctioned off
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited 33,000- SEGR, Provent, Fumoto

Forced Induction is correct. However, 1st gear is available with that combo- on the W116 300SD there is a module in the passengers kickpanel that senses when the car is at rest ( via the brake pedal) and kicks the tranny down for a first gear start.

To adjust the shift points, work with adjusting the linkage on top of the bell crank on the valve cover. The bell crank is a sort of rod that travels down to the passengers side of the transmission and senses throttle position.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)