Rebuilt R380 won't go into 2nd

[bnoonan]

OK, preparing to put the rebuilt (by me; 1st time) R380 back in the vehicle and I put the shifter on to test. It has been full of oil for a week or so, so I'm not worried much about dry shifting.
Two things I want to know if there is something wrong inside before I bolt her up:

1. I can shift into all gears easily with a good feeling 'click' into place except 2nd. It shifts down into it, but does not feel like it is 'clicked' into place. Looking at the selector rod, it is not going all the way into 2nd, only moving about 1/2 as far in as it does when going into 4th or R. Any thoughts? Spinning shafts does not change this. This seems serious.

2. When shifting out of 5th there is an audible click. Not when the stick comes down, but when it returns to center there is an audible click. Feels/sounds like it is coming from the top of the trans just where the box attaches to the transmission...just above where the reverse switch is. This seems less serious.

Any thoughts or guidance?

 

[Mirrajumper]

For starters, did you center the 3-4 shift using the vertical adjuster screws on the turret housing? It should relax into that plane by default. Then there will be spring pressure for 1-2 and 5-R. Did you replace 2nd gear synchro or gear in rebuild? What fluid are you going to be using?

 

[bnoonan]

Hi @Mirrajumper, thanks for this. I did not adjust any screws in the turret housing. It does relax into the midway point between 3 & 4 though. I do feel spring pressure going up into the gears. I did replace all synchros, but no gears. All looked good. Going to be using Dexron III ATF. Cant seem to figure out what the deal is. It does seem selector on the 1 & 2 side does not move over to the side as far as it does for 5 & R. Shown below, hits the bolted on metal piece in the left of the photo below. Not sure that is an issue, slides into first just fine it seems.

 

[Mirrajumper]

With the shifter turret housing in place, you adjust the vertical pads that the lever arms rest on. This allows side to side tension adjustment so the lever stays in the gear slot. It’s set so that 3rd is the relaxed default plane. You can then tweak it for proper 2nd and 5th engagement.

 

[hillstrubl]

Unsolicited advice on fluid, don't use Dextron 3 ATF, I know its "close" and some manuals actually call for it, but this stuff blows it away in every category.

 

[Napalm00]

Arlo on the other board can help. I swear he sleeps in bed with a transfercase