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Classic/Antique Car Repair/'64 bonneville auto transmission

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Expert: - 2/9/2009


Question
I just bought a '64 bonneville with the dual coupling trans(or whatever gm called it) the problem I'm having is when it's cold it will not upshift but when it warms up it does, and sometimes it will not downshift by itself. The car sat for a couple years before I bought it and has only 95k on it. Will flushing the trans solve this? Also when I tried to set the dwell to specs it dies. any info you can tell me would help me out.

Answer
A transmission oil change and a filter would be my first move and then put shoe miles on the car to warm it up. As to the dwell it sound like you may have a worn breaker plate in the distributor and it will take a removal of the distributor and physical check up.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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