The transmission in my 57 Star Chief is acting up. Shifts great going forward. Also, reverse is fine also, until it warms up after a few miles. Then when I shift into reverse I have to give it some gas to start it moving and then it is very jerky. No slipping, just jerky. Fluid is fine, clean and no burnt smell. Ideas?? Thanks

4 hours ago, WASHTUBMAN said:

The transmission in my 57 Star Chief is acting up. Shifts great going forward. Also, reverse is fine also, until it warms up after a few miles. Then when I shift into reverse I have to give it some gas to start it moving and then it is very jerky. No slipping, just jerky. Fluid is fine, clean and no burnt smell. Ideas?? Thanks

that sounds like a low fluid issue to me Jerry ? 

why i say that is my hydro in the 57 leaks alot of fluid, and as soon as it gets too low, the reverse starts being jurky and you have to rev it to make it move. 

other wise, it sounds very much like you need to send it to a specilist ... 

 i have a old guy an hour away from me who rebuilt the one in my 64 and it wasnt cheap !!!

pretty Sure Del had a specilist rebuild his 64 convertable one back a couple of years ago, if you need a contact, let me know and i will reach out to him for contact details.

I'd like to know the story behind the moniker 'Washtubman.'

Fluid is not low.  Will have to have it checked out.

My daughter named me "Washtubman" because we owned a car wash called The Wash Tub for 20 years.

one other thought Jerry, justA check that your shift linkage is adjusted correctly.

this will mean getting the 57 on a hoist, disconect the shifter shaft off the side of the transmission control arm and moving it through from park all the way down to reverse 

it may be out of adjustment and not engauging reverse fully.

Also just check that the linkage to the carb is moving freely... it hooks in behind the shifter arm on the side of the transmission... justA in case its a stone or someting silly binding up the linkages

bit like us ... worn linkages !!!

Edited April 27, 20233 yr by 64 kiwi boni

4 hours ago, WASHTUBMAN said:

My daughter named me "Washtubman" because we owned a car wash called The Wash Tub for 20 years.

Dammit - I KNEW I had previously asked that question. Sorry, the old memory is about as good as Kiwi's 'linkages.' It's a great name by the way.

Kiwi, I will check the linkage as you said.  Kind of weird why it only does it when it's warmed up and driven some miles.  Hope things are well down under.

4 hours ago, WASHTUBMAN said:

Kiwi, I will check the linkage as you said.  Kind of weird why it only does it when it's warmed up and driven some miles.  Hope things are well down under.

thank you Wash tub man, one other idea, justA change your trans oil, its a easy thing and you never know !!! 

22 hours ago, WASHTUBMAN said:

Kiwi, I will check the linkage as you said.  Kind of weird why it only does it when it's warmed up and driven some miles.  Hope things are well down under.

Curious question - have you checked the fluid level once it starts jerking and everything is warmed up? My thought is once everything starts circulating, you level might drop slightly versus when it is cool. Just a suggestion at this point.

Linkage is fine.  Guess I'll do a change of fluid.  Thanks for the suggestions.  Pic from last weekend car show.  That's Mama!

Congrat's on the well deserved bling!

So very cool washtub

Maybe I should be painting my one red !!! 

Sweet ride! Congrats bro.