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Topic: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87 (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Yahoo Message Number: 102202
I had the governor replaced about a year ago do to the tranny not shifting. About a mile from the house today, doing 55, engine started overrevving as I lost speed. Got it off the freeway, & it runs fine at 25 mph, & only 25. It overrevs up to 25, then catches, & stays in that gear. Has anyone had similar problems with this with the GM 350?

Thanks, Joe
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102203
Wondering now if I rellace another governor @ $300, or go for a rebuilt tranny for $900-$1200. Any input would be greatly appreciated
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102206
What kind of warranty was there on the replacement you got a year ago? Sometimes it's mileage versus time, and you might be covered.   Might be better off going with a performance remanufacture job.  It's a lot of money to spend, but there's nothing worse than worrying about a transmission.
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102208
"I had the governor replaced about a year ago do to the tranny not shifting. About a mile from the house today, doing 55, engine started overrevving as I lost speed. Got it off the freeway, & it runs fine at 25 mph, & only 25. It overrevs up to 25, then catches, & stays in that gear. Has anyone had similar problems with this with the GM 350?

Joe

That's not a good sign.
When a Turbo 350's governor breaks, it will not shift out of first gear. It will act like the shift lever is in the 'Low' position but it does not slip and then catch. Sounds more like a planetary band or clutch pack letting go. I hope I'm wrong.
BTW, your 87 LD should have a Turbo 400 transmission.

Good luck.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102209
Thanks for the input, guys. I hope to hear from him tomorrow, & I'd to have something intelligent to say.
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102214
Quote
I had the governor replaced about a year ago do to the tranny not shifting. About a mile from the house today, doing 55, engine started overrevving as I lost speed. Got it off the freeway, & it runs fine at 25 mph, & only 25. It overrevs up to 25, then catches, & stays in that gear. Has anyone had similar problems with this with the GM 350?
Are you sure the engine is over-revving? I say this because a loud engine is the symptom of a malfunctioning fan clutch (at 60 mph, it will sound like a Phantom jet on climb), and I have replaced probably 8 of those in the 15 years we have had our '83.
 A high-revving 350 will have a higher pitch, but will NOT be particularly noisy. I can swap out a fan clutch in less than 30 min. these days...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102216
"Are you sure the engine is over-revving? I say this because a loud engine is the symptom of a malfunctioning fan clutch."
 Good point, Steve! Very much the same thing happened to me with my 1985 LD. I was convinced that the transmission was stuck in low gear even though I was going 55 mph... but it turned out to be the roaring fan.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102217
Just heard from the tranny guy. Said some gears in the governor are shot, & could be repaired for $197, but this is being caused by problems further in the tranny, & it could go again in another couple of thousand miles. Couldn't come at a worse time, but I'm leaning towards a rebuild.
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102218
I remember the first time (many years ago) I thought the transmission was stuck in second gear in our '83 Chevy. It sounded like the engine was over revving, but after playing around with the shift selector and the throttle I finally decided/discovered it was just the fan.  It still surprises me from time to time.  Gene
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102219
"Couldn't come at a worse time, but I'm leaning towards a rebuild."
 Sorry to hear that, Joe... but I think you're leaning in the right direction. Better to get it replaced now than deal with it again and again later on.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: 2nd transmission governor in a year on my 87
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102220
Probably just better to bite the bullet and get it done.  If you don't fix the root of the problem, you will keep having to do these small repairs, and that adds up.  Plus, the worst part is it could leave you stranded somewhere and cost you major time and money to take care of it.