Car dies while backing up sometimes

[Edison]

I've had this happen twice now and hope its nothing major. In my 66 Newport, 383 4bbl 3 speed auto, when backing up it will just die. Thankfully its started right back up the two times it has happened, but any suggestions what it could be?

 

[BJS racing]

Transmission or the converter is likely starting to go bad. Reverse will put more of a load on the engine. It may be as simple as a band adjustment.

 

[Edison]

Blah that stinks. Maybe I'll Flintsones myself out of parking spots when I can't just pull through to avoid stress on the transmission until I can address it Hopefully it lasts a while because I don't have $1000 right now for a new one (which is what I think these go for typically. Believe this is a three speed Torqueflite?)

Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a band adjustment?

 

[monaco75]

idk if I'd go so far as to say the trans/convertor is going out. As mentioned reverse puts more load on the engine. The carb could just need adjusted...

If you can pull the trans out, your looking around $400-$500 to have a shop rebuild it. Another $100 or so for a new convertor.

 

[Edison]

Yeah it shifts through all the forward gears like butter.

 

[70NPORT]

How about a defective NNS on the transmission? Could that cause your car to die like that?

 

[Big_John]

How about a defective NNS on the transmission? Could that cause your car to die like that?

The neutral switch would only come in to play if you restarted the car.

I don't think it's the transmission.

Bring the idle speed up a little.

 

[Stormer]

Bring the idle speed up a little.

I was gonna say just powerbrake it but I guess you could crank the idle up.

 

[440Sled]

I was thinking idle increase as well......see what happends.

 

[moper]

Yup - make sure the tuning is good. Sounds like retarded timing and maybe too low of an idle speed that results from that.

 

[Edison]

Thanks guys. I plan on doing a tune up soon (plugs, wires, dizzy cap/rotor etc) and will have the idle adjusted as well. It hasn't done it anymore since thankfully.