I had previously posted this under "Where's first gear". I thought it was a tranny problem but now after another test drive last night, I am thinkin' it's the rear end.

This involves my wife's '88 240 auto with about 200k on it. It starts up fine at first, but as it gets warmed up, this problem gets worse: What happens is starting in (any forward) gear, it VERY slowly builds up speed as you throttle it. You can actually rev the motor to as high as I dare go (probably around 5500) and it makes absolutely no difference in it's "gradually rolling down hill" acceleration. Sometimes, there is a kind of long chirp that seems to resonate from the rear end right before it shifts to second. Once I get it into second gear, there are no problems or in third and overdrive cruising down the interstate at 60-65. Passing gears are fine.

Any ideas? Any solutions? Is it time for a new pumpkin? Thanks for the input...

-Doug