band ajustments?
 

Hello out there, I have a 1980 300d trans #722 117 does anyone know if there is any band ajustments for the forward gears on this trans? Car shifts while running while up on stands but will not shift on the road.Thanks in advance

Good question, I dont know if there are any bands to adjust.

sounds like a b2 piston problem to me. search for the fix here.
you could call ROY at the buy parts link above, and check with him if the 117 has the same b2 piston problem.

He's talking about the 4-bolt transmission which are not normally known to have a B2 problem like the 6-bolt versions. The front (reverse) band is adjustable from outside the case, but I do not know if that will fix your problem.

I do have a trans. manual from ATSG (blue paperback - all over flea-bay and the net) that describes a slightly longer operating pin from the piston to the band for such adjustments. I'm not sure if it applies to your trans specifically, though.

From your description it sounds as if the problem is that the transmission fails to upshift. Is that correct? There are a fair number of threads on that topic on the forum. First thing to check would be the kickdown switch. Is it stuck down? The shifts in that transmission are controlled by two things--vacuum controls the harshness/softness of shifts and a rod going from the top of the valve cover down to the right side of the transmission controls the shift points. (search on 'bowden cable for that since most later models had a cable and not a rod). There is also a shift kit available to improve the shifts on these transmissions. It's called a Superior shift kit or spring kit. A search on Superior should bring up info on that.
If, on the other hand, your problem is that the car will not move at all when on the ground, you need to be aware that those early SD's had a problem with the ears shearing off the torque converter.

The ATSG 722.1xx manual says:

No power transmission:

Brake Band B3 worn, working pressure too low or absent or sealing lip on B3 damaged

Unfortunately, it's far more complex than that.

Ok, I know it also depends on fluid dynamics etc. Those are the two externally accessible controls to the transmission.