Tranny Trouble - the dreaded governor gear gremlin. UPDATE: It works!!! :-)

Russell

Active member
Jan 2, 2017
357
88
28
Dunedin, Florida
We are running again!! happy! happy! happy!
I replaced the governor assembly, after removing the header. The old governor gear did not look very worn. I also replaced the vacuum line on the
vacuum modulator (only the rubber section) on the tranny, and installed a new hose on the vent fitting on top of the tranny to redirect any vented
fluid outside the frame rails away from the headers. It drives like a dream again, and shifts normally. Thanks to everyone for your help!!!!

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/7029/Old_Governor_Assembly_and_New_Governor_Assembly.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/7029/Old_governor_gear_and_new_governor_gear.jpg

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Russell Keith

1978 Eleganza II

Dunedin, Florida
 
I'm curious as to what the original problem was? The governor gear doesn't look that bad. It could have been the vac modulator hose.

Happy your problem is resolved. Have a great day!
 
Ray, You're right, the governor gear does not look bad at all. When I pulled it, I started to second guess my original diagnosis. The tranny would
not upshift out of first gear, and would even pop out of gear. The vacuum hose on the modulator looked pretty rough, and was cracked, so I replaced
it as well. If I would have replaced the vacuum line first, I probably didn't need the governor. Oh well, I certainly learned a lot along the way.
Life with a GMC....learn something new everyday. :)
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Russell Keith

1978 Eleganza II

Dunedin, Florida
 
Russell, I would strongly suggest that you remove your lower speedometer
cable ( inner and outer) inspect it very carefully, and lubricate it with
cable lube of your choosing. Insulate the lower part that passes near the
header, and loosely ty-wrap it away from the header. If it melts
internally, it will freeze up and strip out the governor gear.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

Ray, You're right, the governor gear does not look bad at all. When I
pulled it, I started to second guess my original diagnosis. The tranny
would
not upshift out of first gear, and would even pop out of gear. The vacuum
hose on the modulator looked pretty rough, and was cracked, so I replaced
it as well. If I would have replaced the vacuum line first, I probably
didn't need the governor. Oh well, I certainly learned a lot along the way.
Life with a GMC....learn something new everyday. :)
--
Russell Keith

1978 Eleganza II

Dunedin, Florida

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Now you have BOTH fixed and worry free. Always good to get as many
of these out of the way as possible.

> Ray, You're right, the governor gear does not look bad at all. When I pulled it, I started to second guess my original diagnosis. The tranny would
> not upshift out of first gear, and would even pop out of gear. The vacuum hose on the modulator looked pretty rough, and was cracked, so I replaced
> it as well. If I would have replaced the vacuum line first, I probably didn't need the governor. Oh well, I certainly learned a lot along the way.
> Life with a GMC....learn something new everyday. :)
> --
> Russell Keith
>
> 1978 Eleganza II
>
> Dunedin, Florida
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Ray Erspamer
78 Royale - "The Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMCRoyale
414-484-9431
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
 
on ours, the governor was fine except that it was a little sludged up inside, just
enough to keep it from working consistently. When I tried to take it apart,
the inner shaft wouldn't slide out -- a big clue, since it should basically fall
out when you remove the pin and plastic gear. I'd disassemble the suspect one
and give it a thorough cleaning.

Karen
1975 26'