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64 Bonneville convertible transmission

 
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thlages



Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 16


1964 Bonneville

PostPosted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 5:10 pm    Post subject: 64 Bonneville convertible transmission Reply with quote

Hi Smile

I have a 64 Bonneville, 389 4barrel, 303hp with Super Hydra-matic transmission, at least I think I have that transmission :p
I´m wondering if there is something "wrong" with the transmission, because it´s in 4th gear before reaching 40mph. When driving on the highway in 60-70mph it feels like the rpm is very high.
Don´t misunderstand, it shifts very well, I 'm just wondering if this is normal?
How is the gear ratio on this transmission?

Hope you understand my little "problem" Smile

Thanks
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Larry
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:59 pm    Post subject: Trans Question Reply with quote

I don't quite understand. If it is in 4th gear very soon, why would the rpms be high on the highway? That sounds more like it is stuck in a lower gear. On the highway that big Pontiac should be leisurely loafing alone.
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thlages



Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 16


1964 Bonneville

PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This was not easy to explain in english :p. I know that it shifts through all gears. I also thought that it was stuck in 3, but I have counted many times and it shifts to 4, I think so.... :p

I´m really struggling to explain this in a way you would understand. :p

At normal driving, or cruising it gets to 4th gear very fast. 2 and 3 gear almost instant and 4th as i said around 35-40mph. At full throttle it goes longer on the gears, of course, but still when it puts in 4th it feels like the rpm is quite high. It feels like it won´t "settle" down. As you said, ".... that big Pontiac should be leisurely loafing alone".
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Larry
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:20 pm    Post subject: Transmission Questions Reply with quote

If that transmission is like the older Hydra-Matics that I knew about, the linkage can be out of adjustment causing very radical (long-short-quick-delayed) shifts.

The only thing I would know of that would allow a car to shift through all the gears than still seem to be racing the engine, would be things slipping badly- bands, torque converter...?

We have an excellent Automatic Transmission Technical Adviser named Steve Peluso in Massachusetts. While it is difficult to type in a message what is happening, and because Steve prefers to help by the phone, I would highly suggest that the small cost of a long distance call is a worthwhile investment from Norway. Steve has more experience in these years of Pontiacs than perhaps anyone else.

Look under "MEMBERS" and then "Technical Advisers" for Steve's phone number. We in this Eastern time zone are probably about 6 hours behind you so even in your evening, he should still be at work--- oh, and by the way... "work" is his owned automatic transmission business!

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thlages



Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 16


1964 Bonneville

PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks a lot, Larry. I will certainly check this out. Smile

One of the reasons I´m asking is that I think the fuel consumption is high... Last night driving home from my parents I filled it up FULL before driving home. When I got home I filled the tank again. The distance is 32.12miles and i filled 3.17gal (US). If my math is correct, that is 10.13mpg. Is this much? 80% of the way home is highway. I kept her in 60mph (on the speedo) all the way on the highway. Downhill I have to keep pressing the gas for it not to loose to much speed.
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Larry
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2016 10:44 am    Post subject: Transmission Issues Reply with quote

As for gas consumption... welcome to the world of Big American Cars. All kidding aside though, that is still not too good. That car, with all else working well, should be in the 12-14 mpg range at those speeds. Some people have reported better than that, but they were not known as gas sippers back then.

It does sound like the adjusting of the linkage should help the shifting. However, you do mention when accelerating hard, it does stay in gear longer (as it should), so it may not be too far out of adjustment. Those old cars were noted for hurrying through the gears at low speeds. I have noticed though that if you adjust the linkage to stay in gear longer, it will "linger" for a longer time between the 2-3 up-shift. You have to find a happy medium.

I like the idea of checking with a tachometer. That will show for sure if you're not in high gear when you think you are. Remember, today we have grown used to overdrives and low RPMs. The older cars, especially with lower rear gear ratios, can really sound like they're running fast when in top gear (1:1).

Keep us posted as you work this through.

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