1983 transmission updates

[biobenz617]

Hi all,

My 1983 300D automatic transmission has started to give me some trouble. First it was the 3-4 shift flare with some double shifting. Now it has spread with a 2-3 shift flare. The vacuum control valve is correctly adjusted, and I measured a modulator pressure of 3.0 bar. 30k transmission service is due in about 4k. The shifts firm up a bit when I disconnect the vacuum line.

I was at Startech in Denver this week for some other items and I was told there is a valve body update for the '83 transmission to fix this problem. Does anyone have information on that?

Thanks,

[Mister Byrnzoil]

theres the k1 spring kit part # 126 270 44 77 and also an aftermarket Superior spring kit, its a pretty popular subject 'round here.

is your fluid pink and not burned? Possibly water contaminated? If the flare is gettin worse I wouldn't wait to do the fluid/filter change.

[biobenz617]

Originally Posted by Mister Byrnzoil

theres the k1 spring kit part # 126 270 44 77 and also an aftermarket Superior spring kit, its a pretty popular subject 'round here.

is your fluid pink and not burned? Possibly water contaminated? If the flare is gettin worse I wouldn't wait to do the fluid/filter change.

Thanks for the part number! Do you know the part number for the k2 spring kit? I think I need both of them from what I've read.

Fluid is still red and doesn't particularly smell bad...I'll be changing it soon anyway though.

Thanks,

[biobenz617]

bump! (sorry, I can't search for a string that is only two characters "k2")

[hangit]

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=2&Product_Code=S68165D

[biobenz240d]

Originally Posted by biobenz617

Hi all,

My 1983 300D automatic transmission has started to give me some trouble. First it was the 3-4 shift flare with some double shifting. Now it has spread with a 2-3 shift flare. The vacuum control valve is correctly adjusted, and I measured a modulator pressure of 3.0 bar. 30k transmission service is due in about 4k. The shifts firm up a bit when I disconnect the vacuum line.

I was at Startech in Denver this week for some other items and I was told there is a valve body update for the '83 transmission to fix this problem. Does anyone have information on that?

Thanks,

I have the same problem with my '83 300D. I have changed the fluid and filter , thinking this would help, but it has not. I will do the superior spring kit when the weather gets warmer, 2-3 months, but I have been looking for more info on how to proceed with the repair. Any info from somebody that has done it, would be appreciated.

[biobenz617]

Just thought I'd reply after some success.

I just paid a shop for the update because I hate lying on my cold garage floor. It cost just over $300 for the k1 & k2 update and regular transmission service while they were in there. I went to Startech in Denver, where Sandor was particularly knowledgeable about these transmissions.

Now it shifts much better into 3rd and 4th Although, these shifts are a bit softer still than the 1-2 shift, probably because of the friction coefficient differences as built.

Originally Posted by biobenz617

I went to Startech in Denver, where Sandor was particularly knowledgeable about these transmissions.

I suspect Sandor could build one of these cars from scratch.