I purchased a Coan reverse manual valvebody for my TH350 making my tranny selections P-R-N-1-2-3 in full manual operation. How many of you run these and have you found any problems or hassles with it?

Best thing I ever did to my 400. I also used a B&M Prostick shifter with the reverse lock out feature disabled, it was very convenient not having to use 2 hands on the shifter while I was busy watching what I was doing.

by going manual VB and removing the which-gear decision making process from the trans, is it inherantly more reliable? I'm not a trans expert, but i assume the various gizmos that decide what time it is to shift being taken out of the equation means less parts/components that can break or screw up... right?

j

yes, they are out of the equation, but the governor/modulator/detent cable aren't a real common failing bunch. I think the shift pattern is the bigger question here. I have always wanted to try this so bad. I am very very used to 1st being at teh back, so it might mess me up, but I am game when one comes my way at a swap meet
tell me if you like it

by going manual VB and removing the which-gear decision making process from the trans, is it inherantly more reliable? I'm not a trans expert, but i assume the various gizmos that decide what time it is to shift being taken out of the equation means less parts/components that can break or screw up... right?

j

Mainly, I wanted to eliminate the amount of time and effort it takes to go from Reverse to Lo. I'm not going out on a limb to say I'm buying it just to save me from a rollover. I believe you could grab drive in any case and still equally keep from a rollover whether you are in drive or lo.

You did bring up a valid point - less components to break is a good thing.

I guess I am paying for convenience. Only inconvenient thing now, on longer trail runs where you want to get from point A to point B in a hurry - it's nice to be able to shift into drive and let it do the shifting for you. Now this will be disabled if I am reading correctly. Another question - if I shift into drive, will it try to take off in 3rd (drive)? Likewise with 2nd?

The reverse manual screwed me up at first but I love it now. I have modified the gate to allow shifting to reverse without squeezing the button. I can now rock the shifter quickly if I need to go forward or backwards. I would definetly do it again.

I could be wrong but I do beleive it will and it will smoke your tranny most likely

Another question - if I shift into drive, will it try to take off in 3rd (drive)? Likewise with 2nd?

Yes

Yes


be very careful and DO NOT use a stock shifter. it's too easy to shift it into reverse. also, don't let anyone else drive it, becuase it takes no more than 5 minutes to fry a manual valve body tranny while driving it in 3rd.

wait- this is a 4wheeling website

the first thing i did with my chevelle was drive it down the street, break the stock floor shifter and land it in reverse with no way to shift. since you're going to be wheeling, shift however you want. you DO NOT want a two-handed reverse setup.

I have been thinking about going this route. I a cuple of questions. My tranny is supposed to have been gone through(what this means who knows :rolleyes: ) It's a TH350. Are these okay to put in a stock tranny?

About the starting out in 2nd and 3rd. I've heard that if you are driving on icy roads, you can start out in 2nd so that it doesnt have the torque multiplication and spin the tires so much. Would this be hard on the tranny, as long as you don't do it too much?

Yes

Well, my plan is not to do this. The problem being as someone stated above - people need to know not to tool up to a stop light in 3rd (old drive) and expect to take off again without shifting back to 1st.

I'll see how I like it and if not I can sell it!

One thing to be aware of is the feel of the shift. I expected a harsh, sharp shift every time like with a shift kit. With my manual VB the shifts were directly related to throttle input/line pressure, when cruising with light throttle the shifts were almost soft but when running it hard the shift were harsh as I had originally expected. Not a problem just something I wasn't quite expecting.

I have been thinking about going this route. I a cuple of questions. My tranny is supposed to have been gone through(what this means who knows :rolleyes: ) It's a TH350. Are these okay to put in a stock tranny?

About the starting out in 2nd and 3rd. I've heard that if you are driving on icy roads, you can start out in 2nd so that it doesnt have the torque multiplication and spin the tires so much. Would this be hard on the tranny, as long as you don't do it too much?

It is really not that hard on it as long as it is not prolonged or used excessively. The converter takes all the brunt when starting out in a higher gear, and more converter slip means MORE HEAT........So, use a good converter, a good cooler, pop a trans temp in and don't overheat it and start out in whatever gear you like. GM had 2nd gear start buttons factory on some F bodies and were meant for starting off in slippery situations....

i run a rev. manual vb in my blazer.love the control of gear selection with no foot action.