Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Clutch, transmission, rear axle

Moderators: FORDification, 70_F100

Post Reply
User avatar
72bumbee
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:43 pm
Location: McMinnville,Oregon

Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Post by 72bumbee »

Hello and greetings from Oregon!
My 72 F250 camper special has never been a daily driver because who has money for gas??
Seems the issue only occurs in town and during stop and start traffic. It’s a C6 and 360 motor.
Sometimes I have to drop it to low and then back into drive to make it shift into 2nd.
After scanning through the forum I see that it could be a vacuum leak.
Anybody else have this issue?
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
cep62
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2039
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: West Michigan

Re: Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Post by cep62 »

Do you have the kickdown lever hooked up ?
That helps control the shift with throttle position.
User avatar
72bumbee
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:43 pm
Location: McMinnville,Oregon

Re: Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Post by 72bumbee »

I do not have the kick down rod installed. It is currently hanging on the wall in my shop. It was hooked up when I bought the truck but was removed when the shop rebuilt the transmission. Seems the couldn’t get it installed properly so they left it off.
It never did seem to make a difference when it was installed so I never even tried to reinstall it.
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
User avatar
The Bandit
New Member
New Member
Posts: 177
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2018 12:49 pm
Location: Salisbury NC

Re: Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Post by The Bandit »

Kickdown rod is only for kicking the trans down a gear so you can gain speed quickly to pass slower traffic. Your problem sounds like a sticking governor or problem with the modulator on the trans.
The governor of the C6 or fords in general are finicky anyway so I would have to guess that the governor is sticking.
"Don't believe everything you see and read on the internet." Abe Lincoln
1972 F100 custom SWB 302/C4 Auto PS No AC Wimbledon white and rusty..
6Delta
New Member
New Member
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:25 am

Re: Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Post by 6Delta »

Does it ever shift on it's own? You said a shop rebuilt the transmission. Did they put a shift kit in it and did they install the right modulator. Sometimes the shops are used to cars and will install the wrong modulator. It should have a black stripe, I am fairly certain.
No Brain - No Pain
71 F250 Sport Custom Camper Special
71 Ranchero Squire
70 Ranchero GT (Red w/351C 4V
70 Ranchero GT (Black w/302+)
03 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
74 Kawasaki H2 750 (Widowmaker)
75 Firebird 400
71 XKE FHC 4.2
04 XJ8 4.2
User avatar
72bumbee
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:43 pm
Location: McMinnville,Oregon

Re: Transmission not shifting from 1st to second

Post by 72bumbee »

Usually when the truck first is driven it will shift fine. Then will start sticking after warmed up.
when i crawl under it, what will i be looking for?
I know where the kickdown rod should be connected on the carburetor and on the side of the transmission, so knowing that where would the modulator or governor be located? :fr:
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
Post Reply