1976 300D shifting issues

[Aidan_drake]

Hello all. New to posting here, so patience is appreciated. It took me far too long to figure out how to make an account and navigate the website. I’m hoping I’m doing this right. I’ve run into an issue of my 76’ 300d automatic transmission shifting far too early into 3rd gear. I’ve had no issues with shifting previously, and the car has driven great. I recently performed a valve adjustment on the vehicle and had to disassemble the throttle linkage assembly. Only after putting everything back together have I had this issue. I’ve tried adjusting the “Bowden” rod going from the throttle linkage to the transmission linkage, but no luck. I’m thinking I must’ve put something back together wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Sugar Bear]

Welcome.

The problem is very likely improperly installed linkage on top of the valve cover. Next time photo the linkage before disassembly. I don't remember if that car used a vacuum modulator on the transmission, if it does examine the vacuum lines to the modulator, "stacked" shifts can be modulator related.

That automatic transmission is a 4 speed not a 3 speed.

[Aidan_drake]

I am definitely regretting not taking photos! No vacuum on the transmission, just the linkage. As for the 4 speed, I just meant it shifts INTO 3rd gear way to early. I have not taken it far/fast enough to even get into 4th since this issue. I’m hoping somebody can chime in with photos of their linkage on a 76’ 300D to help me out (: and maybe I will post a picture of my own once I figure out how to do that lol

[Sugar Bear]

It's been so long, my recall is that the part that pivots that the Bowden cable attached to can be reinstalled about 180 out. I did it a couple of times.

[Sugar Bear]

Try an internet image search on 76 300D and look at under the hood engine pictures for the linkage positions.

[Aidan_drake]

Sugar bear, you are my knight in shining armor! It’s crazy how small of a thing you can overlook when you don’t know what you’re looking for. You are 100% correct, the little L bracket with the pivot on it was upside down. As soon as I read your last comment. It immediately clicked. Thank you very much. If you’re ever in Phoenix, I owe you a beer!

[Sugar Bear]

Phoenix...do you have cold beer???

Did you have the fun of wrestling the oil filter on that version? They are great riding highway cars. Use quality diesel oil, filters, get it hot and push it to keep it clean internally.

Drive on and enjoy!

[Aidan_drake]

Yes sir, I have that one!. I remember changing my oil for the first time on this model back in highschool! Was my first car and I was a stupid 16 year old having a very tough time getting that filter housing back on. Good times. Thanks again.

And to you as well!