engaement of auto trans

[motomoss]

Hello,

I'm new to this form (as in actually 5 min ago). I am about to purchase a 67 230 automatic and need to understand better the way the car operates regarding the shift lever. Is this a manual shift automatic or does it shift on its own at certain rpms. What position do you start out in from a stop and what is the normal drive position. I've have driven a lot of vintage cars over the years but never one like this. Any explanation would be helpful. I've searched the internet for hours but have been unable to find how the basic operation works from a driving standpoint.

Thanks

[Jonny B]

There is a lot of information on the site about the detailed operation of the automatic. It can be shifted as a manual, but as with any normal manual the easiest is to place it in drive and have fun. The auto will start out in second and shift through the other gears as in any automatic (it is a four speed). The smoothness of the upshifts and downshifts is function of a number of different items (also well and fully explained on the site). It is set up in an opposite mode of travel as current automatics. Park is at the bottom of the travel.

[motomoss]

Thank you for your reply. When you say 'just put it in Drive and go', are you referring to the 4 position? When I drove it earlier today, I tried to start out from a dead stop by putting it in 4th, and it was very sluggish and had no acceleration, so I manually shifted, starting at 2nd and worked my way to 4th. So my question is, if you were to just get in the car, start it, and get ready to move forward from a sitting position, do you put it in 4 and drive as a normal automatic? This was what I anticipated, but the car did not respond well in that sequence. Sorry if this is very elementary, but I'm just trying to get it figured out. Thanks again!

[kampala]

Motomoss,

Welcome to the forum!   Let us know if you end up acquiring a Pagoda.

Normal drive is putting the car in 4 from stanstill.  It will start the car in 2nd gear, which really is like 1st gear in most cars.  For normal driving you should be able to just put it in 4 and go.  It will start off in 2nd and work it's way up to 4th and should downshift as you slow down.  

Many folks drive in 4 and when a downshift is needed for passing, manually shift to 3.  There is also a Kickdown switch mounted under the accelerator  so you can downshift for passing by flooring it as it will engage the kick down and drop a gear lower (if the switch is working).

If you put the car in 2 (for starting on a hill from a standstill) the car will start in 1st but will shift to 2nd very quickly and will stay in 2nd.  

If you put the car in 3, the car will start in 2nd and will upshift up to 3.   Then you can manually shift to 4.

As Jonny pointed out, the smoothness of the shifts has many variables -- you will find plenty on this site about what impacts the shift quality.

Best of luck with finding one.

[perry113]

Thank you for your reply. When you say 'just put it in Drive and go', are you referring to the 4 position? When I drove it earlier today, I tried to start out from a dead stop by putting it in 4th, and it was very sluggish and had no acceleration, so I manually shifted, starting at 2nd and worked my way to 4th. So my question is, if you were to just get in the car, start it, and get ready to move forward from a sitting position, do you put it in 4 and drive as a normal automatic? This was what I anticipated, but the car did not respond well in that sequence. Sorry if this is very elementary, but I'm just trying to get it figured out. Thanks again!

Sounds like something is wrong in how your car is operating.

[motomoss]

Thanks so much for the explanation. You described exactly what I was wanting to know perfectly. I do not think that I was driving the car correctly, I am going for my final pre purchase inspection on Wednesday at which I will test drive again and see how she performs. The SL is in excellent original condition with near perfect interior. Has been sitting for many years in an elderly woman's garage, now quite dusty but very well preserved. A rare find in this condition, thanks again.

[Jonny B]

Good luck, and with the car setting for some time, there are a number of other items that need to be checked and/or replaced. The search function will be your friend on this regard too.