How do you know if your torque converter is locking up like it should? Will RPM's change a noticeable amount?

In my 1992 I just swapped in a 350 carbed motor, removed ECM, and installed a lockup kit in the tranny that is supposed to be vacuum operated. I'm not sure I can feel or see anything happening in my stock 1990 when it locks. How do I tell if it is working?

 

I believe the RPMs drop somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 when it locks.

What lockup kit did you use?

 

I got the TCI kit, part # TCI-376600.

 

When it locks up, it almost feels like another upshift, so if you were to count from a stop to highway speeds, you would feel 4 distinct "shifts" 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4- lock up.

 

Another way to check:

If you meet the conditions that cause a TC lockup (cruising in 4th at part throttle), keep the throttle at the same position and lightly press the brake pedal. If the ECM gets the brake signal it will cancel the TC lockup and the RPMs will go up.