Help! (As if you couldn't guess that already.)

[Cobey]

Hello all!  Autostick newbie here, so be prepared for silly questions.

Okay, I am looking over a '72 SB autostick.  The owner stated his son had been driving it fine up until a couple months ago when he took off with his gf.  Dad just wants the car gone.

Upon attempting to take it for a spin, I found that it would grind trying to get into reverse, 1, and 2.  (Forgot to try L.)  I thought the tranny must be shot.  Looking over the engine however, I'm not quite sure yet.  There are several hoses disconnected here and there, including some cracked vacuum lines.  Looking over the Bentley manual, I see that vacuum lines run out to the control valve and could be causing this problem.  

I wanted to go through the lines and make sure everything is ok.  The bad news is, I don't have a good working model to start with.  I don't know what is what or where it all goes.  The manual isn't really helpful, as it only has tight shots of specific parts.

Can someone please help me out with some photos?  I need to know where the ATF filler is, where the vacuum lines attach at the motor and control valve, etc.  Basically, I need to know where I am supposed to be looking so when I go out to see it again, I can make a quick check on things and decide on buying the car or not.

Also, the vacuum line sizes and lengths would be helpful.  Spending a few bucks on the chance of the tranny coming to life is money well spent.

TIA!

[bookwus]

Hiya Cobey,

Welcome to the group!

Sorry, I don't have any pictures just yet......but, as for your vacuum connections......check out another previous thread here in the technical section titled "Air Links from Carb to Control Valve".  That should give you enough information to get started.
The ATF filler cap should be found on the extreme right hand side of the engine compartment as you look in from the rear of the car.
The subject of hoses has been discussed here quite a few times.  Again, going back through previous threads is a good way to find information of this sort.  A great idea is to take off whatever you might have on the car and run on down to a shop specializing in fabricating hydraulic connections.  That is what I did and I am very satisfied with the results.
Finally, do know this......practically all the problems you will encounter with an AutoStick can be solved without having to get inside the transmission case.  So, you do have a very good chance of bringing this one back to life.

[Cobey]

Thanks!

I was asking about the sizes so I can drag them out to the owners place (about an hour away) when I go out to take a look again.  If some are missing, I can make a temp fix and see if that get the tranny shifting right.

[68AutoBug]

Hi & Welcome  Cobey,
The most common problem with auto sticks are the Vacuum Hoses.
It is hard to take photos once they are in the car.. I'll have to remember if I have to take mine off again, to measure them. I did measure the inside diameter of the large hoses a few weeks ago for some one..
You can probably obtain some hose to do the job from a Good Auto parts supplier.. but the generic hose these days isn't too good.. It may last a couple of years - or less depending on the quality of course..
Naturally the thicker the hose the better for vacuum...  there is basically the Main vacuum hose from the Carburetor manifold to the bottom of the control valve, there are two more hoses coming from the bottom of the control valve [on the Left Hand side of the engine] - One of these goes  to the vacuum reservoir Tank and the other hose thru the body to the clutch servo unit.... on top of the gearbox..    there is One small common auto vacuum hose from the carburetor to the back of the control valve.......   The Auto Transmission Fluid cap is on the Right Hand side of the engine bay.. attached to the cap is a dipstick..  the fluid only has to be between the two marks..  the actual tank is under the RHS rear fender.. .
If You need ATF -  Dexron II Automatic Transmission Fluid is the recommended fluid...
The Hose size is 12mm... Inside Diameter.. for all large hoses..
The Hose to the Clutch servo is 55mm long..
The hose from the front of the Control valve to under the carburetor is 43mm long..
The hose from the Control Valve to the Vacuum tank is 28mm long..
I'll have to write those measurements down Now that I have measured them..
regards

Lee Noonan - 68AutoBug -- Australia --