So a little background might be good to put up. I've got an 87 Silverado LWB with the 4.6 and the 350 trans. It was rebuilt not long before I got it and has been in the family for most of its life. When it was given to me, I tried a few different things to fix the hard shifting. It was rebuilt by a good shop, but my Pa reinstalled it. The poor guy is almost 85 and isn't the best mechanic.
So since the tranny was put back in it's had a rear main seal leak that's finally bad enough to fix. I figure while I'm down there I can figure out why the shifting is so hard. I've heard a few things, from the filter not being installed right to the torque convertor not being lined up somehow or the other. I'm starting college and won't have the money to send it to a shop, so I'm just asking what to look for when I pull the thing that might explain the hard shifts.
When I go from park to reverse, and from neutral to drive, it kicks in pretty hard, and it hits 2nd gear kinda rough as well. Used to get 3rd around 67mph but now I'm not sure if it's even getting into it, or if it just isn't doing it hard anymore.
I've heard that an automatic that shifts hard is kinda healthy as well, but I'm kinda doubting that. Your advice is appreciated.
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