help - transmission troubles

side note 1 - I am hesitant to post this here as it is not hot rod related but this is the most active vehicle related message board I could find... if a board moderator feels this is out of place then please remove it and I appologize in advance

side note 2 - I am very unknowledgable when it comes to vehicles

side note 3 - if there is another active message board where I would be better off posting this I would appreciate a link (and thank you in advance if so)

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I have a 1974 chevy 3/4 ton pickup and I have started having problems with the transmission (automatic)

when you put it into gear (does the same for reverse/1st/2nd/drive) the transmission doesnt always engage... sometimes it will engage instantly, sometimes within a few seconds other times it takes as long as 30+ seconds... once it is engaged it will often times pop in and out of gear (it doesnt do this while driving but when doing things like pulling out of a parking spot or driveway)

the problem seems to be less persistant once the vehicle warms up... but sometimes even after it has been running for 30+ minutes ill get stuck at a stop sign waiting for the tranmission to rengage

transmission fluid levels are fine

the torque convertor on it is a little over a year old

the transmission was rebuilt rougly 8 years ago (probably has approx 60k miles on it)

I took it into the transmission shop but they are unable (or unwilling) to pinpoint the problem without me commiting to having them work on it... the only thing they told me was that the pump could be going out and rebuilding it "might" fix the problem

I am hesitant to do this because I cant afford to fix things if they arnt broke (ie I dont want to replace the torque convertor only to find out that wasnt the problem etc)

so i guess my questions are...

does this sound like my pump is going out? or could the problem be something else?
is the pump located inside the transmission? or is it mounted outside and something someone with limited knowledge could replace?
could flushing the transmission and replacing the filter possible fix my problem? or does it sound more serious then that?

Thank You in advance for any help

dbldoug

dbldoug theres not much a very unknowledgable person can do to a automatic transmission i dont know if its a 350 or 400 but both acts the same except the 350 has the kick-down cable, but that only effect the passing gear anyway. if you wont to try something that might help, you can change the filter, and or the modulate valve (the can looking thing with the vac. line going to it). other wise its going ot be on the inside of the trans. and then it will have to be rebuilt or replaced with a used one. you need to go to another shop than the one that said he might could fix it. the convertor might do that but its to much of a job to take the chance and its no way of knowing without replacing it. it sounds like the front pump but if its slipped the clutches any, they will need to be replaced also. change the fluide and filter and if that dont fix it youll need to get a used one or get some one to rebuild yours. :(