help with BW35 (possibly)

S

sharonandmatt

New Member
hello, we have just picked up our 1968 3500, the car has been sat for a long time and we have been checking over everything before taking it off to the MOT, now everything seems to be fine and running nicely the engine is smooth and quiet, but during our trip to the mot station we realized the car seems to be producing very little power drives adequately just doesn't seem to have any get up and go, especially attempting the hill really struggled until the kick down occurred but still wasn't quick.
now the problem is i have no knowledge of automatic transmissions but we have attempted to check the fluid levels, this has resulted in much head scratching as it looks like the fluid is very very high, but to be honest i don't know if we are even checking it properly.
can anyone help?
how do we check the fluid level properly?
if the fluid is extremely high could this be stopping the performance?
is it worth draining all the fluid out and replacing with new
why would anyone have overfilled the box in the first place?
any help would be greatly appreciated
 
To check the fluid level, firstly get the transmission to normal working temperature, and then with the car on level ground and the engine running, run through the entire selector range allowing a few seconds in each position to allow it to engage, starting and finishing in PARK, then with the engine still running, walk round, remove and wipe clean the dipstick and re insert to take a level. You will have time to get a couple of dips to get a reading. If you add fluid run through the entire procedure again every time. Use only ATF that meets spec M2C-33G, DON'T use DEXRON type fluids. A small amount of white blackboard chalk rubbed on the bottom of the dipstick and then wiped off, dries it and makes seeing the level easier.
 
As for the lack of performance the first thing I'd check is the throttle link bush if it has one, after that check the engine tuning, and the kickdown cable setting. The level could be wrong because people don't know how to set it, and don't take the trouble to ask as you have.
 
Thank you very much for your quick reply. That will enable me to check it properly. Sorry to make you type it out again but I couldn't spot it quickly. Hopefully your points will enable me to fix this properly. Thanks again.
 
right checked the fluid levels thanks to your instruction and they seem to be nearly perfect, but now the car has developed a misfire so looks like the loss of performance will be the engine thanks very much for help again
 
Hi,
I don't want to state the obvious, but seeing as the car has been standing a while, has the fuel "Gone off"??
Unleaded fuel has a very short shelf life & can lose its combustibility after a few months.
Also it has a habit of clogging the fuel system up if left for excessive periods.
If your fuel has been in there for over a few months, i would consider draining the system, replacing the fuel filter & filling with fresh fuel.
Just a thought!!!!
 
yeah we have considered that so are replacing the fuel filter and have been running lots of nice fresh vpower shell fuel through her, next we are onto replacing the carbs! picked up the lovely shiny new holley yesterday
 
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