chucacabrawow

Hey guys, I need some help figuring this out.

First off I recently finished a 350 carb/ 700r4 swap in my 89 camaro v6. I started her up and she runs like a champ. However when I put her in reverse or drive, she refuses to move.

I have put about 10 quarts in it so far, and I can't remember if the torque converter was filled up before it was installed. I would hate to drop the tranny but if it's required I will do it. I have hooked up the kickdown cable and the shift lever. I was told that there are no vacuum lines on the 700r4 so I just plugged up the hookup on the carb. I'm thinking that there might not be enough fluid in the tranny/torque converter. What do y'all think?

camaronewbie

What's the dip stick read? When I did mine, fully empty tranny and converter, I want to think it took a few more than 10 quarts. I kept putting in fluid, starting car and getting it warmed up, switching through all the gears, then adding more, and repeat, until it started to move ... then I drove forward about 10 yards, reversed back 10 yards, went through all the gears again, and checked fluid again ... kept doing this little by little until dipstick read full and stayed there, then went about a block, checked again, added, went a bit farter, etc. Until the point where the dipstick read full and stayed there.

chucacabrawow

Yea I have been filling it and then starting and shifting through the gears then checking fluid again. Right now it is a little bit below min, but I figured that it should at least move a little bit with 10 quarts in it. I will put a little more in it tomorrow and see if it moves.

Also I was wondering if there was any wiring that needs to be plugged into the trans? Would this cause my problem?

torque_is_good

12 quarts to fill it

chucacabrawow

Ok. i got home this morning and checked it again, it is a little bit below the min line, so i put another quart in. then started her up and shifted through the gears about 4 times - real slow like. checked the dipstick again it was at the same spot... still wouldn't move.

A good mechanic friend of mine at work told me to check and make sure the flex wheel was bolted onto the torque converter, it was. He also said to check to see if the converter would spin if i put it in gear, it is. I also reset the kickdown cable to make sure it is adjusted properly.

When I was under the tranny, i noticed that the coolant lines were a little bubbled like they had been burnt. I took em off for a second and fluid was definately dripping out of em so I don't think they are clogged. I will change out the rubber lines for some steel lines on wednesday.

Later today Ill pick up a couple more quarts of fluid and put it in to see if i can get the fluid level to rise. I have this weird feeling that this transmission isnt hooked up right somewhere, and i fudged up the whole thing. But i hope I'm wrong.



I appreciate the help guys.

chucacabrawow

ok went and bought a few more quarts of fluid and while putting the first bottle in, i heard this dripping sound. so i look under the car, and the fluid was just pouring like a river out of the tranny. Yay. i could hardly believe the rate it was pouring out at. It looked like it was coming from the gasket.

So, i guess tomorrow ill drain the fluid and change out that gasket.

camaronewbie

Do yourself a huge favor, and take the time to get the pan drilled and tapped for a drain plug since you have to drop it anyways. You'll be thankful later - means you can save the fluid (or at least not make such a mess when pan needs removed again).

The 700R4 does have a 4 prong electric plug to it - but all it controls is TC lockup - so if you forgot to connect that, shouldn't make any difference in whether or not the car moves.

chucacabrawow

roger that, sounds like a great idea. I just spent some time reading a few other posts on 700r4 leaks, and it looks like it could also be fluid leaking from the kickdown cable or dipstick. Might as well pick those seals up too I guess. Might as well just take the tranny out to do all this.

chucacabrawow

Hey yall. i went and replaced the gasket and filter, drilled a drain hole. Fixed leaky coolant line by tightening it. But it looks like the main leak is coming from the top of the transmission? what is even up there that it could be leaking from?

regal301

sounds like the torque converter is not correctly installed in front pump. remove torque converter bolts and see if converter spins free and can move back and forth from flywheel.if its free,the trans is probably junk.and if its jammed,then you most likely ruined the front pump,bushing and seal.

chucacabrawow

Okay. still wont move fluid is correct and all leaks are sealed. still leaks a little bit from top, researched it and the overfill tube is on top. Put the car in the air with jackstands. When in reverse the back right wheel rotates in the wrong direction (forward). unbolted the torque converter and it spins freely... any chance the tranny can be rebuilt? or can some1 recommend a good site to buy a rebuilt one?

regal301

used ones check -----> http://car-part.com/

junkyard locator service,check your area, where i live there cheap $150 and come with a 90 warr.

or just pull yours and get prices from shops,and drop it off.

or if you have the mega $$$ then go online and order a performance unit.

chucacabrawow

Just an update to close this. Found a bad drive gear (not sure if thats what its called, dont know alot about transmissions). it is the 2 prong gear right behind the first 2 gears that the torque converter goes on. They were grinded down. also not entirely sure the right torque converter was installed. Fix = new tranny from local shop - Better price then rebuilding my piece of **** one. Thanks to everyone for helping me out.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Sounds like the TQ converter wasnt installed on the pump properly. When the trans is bolted to the motor, the TQconverter should spin freely until its slide up and bolted 2 flex plate. If not the 2 lugs on the pump havent slid into the 2 slots on the converter nose.. Loosen trans and get converter slid in properly B4 you start it !!
Good luck!