Finally got the car running good with the help of a new Holley 600cfm. But, while I was driving today, suddenly, when I hit 3rd gear, the transmission acts like its in neutral until about 4,000rpm, then it starts moving again. I have a 3,000 stall converter in the car, but it has never acted like this. First gear is fine, second gear is fine, then when you hit third it's nothing until a high rpm. Any ideas?
Is it a c4? A/Ts aren't my forte but on a c4 there are band adjustments on the left side you could try that. when is the last time you changed the filter?
It could be the front band (intermediate) adjustment or wear in the Direct clutches. It could also be that a valve body shift kit would fix it. The intermediate band is releasing before the direct clutch is grabbing and at its worst it should never be that long a lag. Try loosening the locknut on the front band adjuster and holding it (3/4" wrench) turn the adjusting screw in to 10 ft pounds (snug with a six inch long wrench) and then back it out 1 1/2 turns. Hold the screw and tighten the lock nut. If that doesn't fix it the get a shift kit for it (unless it already has one) and install it. If that doesn't fix it you are ready for a new or rebuilt tranny.
and the answer is! Well, the guy who built my transmission built and installed another one for free, pretty stand up thing to do! Turns out, the spring clip that holds the output shaft on that little bearing there came off, perhaps it wasn't seated correctly. The output shaft began to vibrate and really wobble. That got the governer smashed against the inside of the tailhousing, which in turn jammed the governer valve on a certain position.
'Glad you followed up with what the problem was and the fix. I, myself (and others), am (are) guilty of posting a similar thread and not following it up with the answer so that others might learn from it. 'Glad you got it fixed and wasn't taken to the cleaners!
