After reinstalling the engine (new engine)and tranny (700r4 got rebuilt), the engine dies when i drop it into gear. Any ideas what it could be so I have an idea of what to look for when I remove it?

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89CamaroRS
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this can mean you have a vacuum leak or your idle might be too low

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I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

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If it's not an engine problem, it could be the torque convertor locked up. It is usually caused by a solenoid being stuck open. Common problem, although I've seen it more on Front wheel drives with the 125 transmission.
When it dies, does it just die, or does it make the car "jerk"? If it jerks hard, it could be the TCC solenoid, or since the thing was rebuilt, something in there could be messed up, like clutch clearences too tight, or something in the valve body causing some wrong clutches to apply.

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it isnt the lock up solenoid...i have a stuck LUS...doesnt and wont lock up until 2nd gear...something in the valving wont let it...check all your vacuum lines and idle, IAC...etc....

 

Try the easy things first. Are you getting enough fuel? I had the same problem. My timing was severely retarded. When you loaded the drivetrain by dropping it in gear, it would just cut out. It was also a bitch too start.

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When put into gear.. the entire engine would jerk like its being forced to stop with some cluncky noise from the trans.

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89CamaroRS
Power Rating: 1.21 Jigowatts
Mods:Flux Capacitor
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I had this happen, under very similar circumstances. (I actually half expected to see that I wrote the post)

What it turned out to be, in my case (like Crazy Rob), was the timing was quite retarded (like Crazy Rob said). Try advancing the dist. (Turn clockwise) That solved my problem.

Clayton



[This message has been edited by El Guapo (edited May 13, 2001).]

 

That's something I never knew! I just knew that some tranny's will lock in first if the TCC solenoid is stuck.

 

I have to agree with the other guys, it sounds like the TC is locked up. Yeah the converter will lock up in first if the soleniod is messed up.

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Wide Open Till You See God...Then Brake

 

In a 700-R4 the oil that feeds the lock up solenoid comes from second gear oil. This means that if it isn't in second gear yet, the L/U solenoid simply can't apply the converter clutch. Now there are a number af trannies that this can happen on, just not this one. OK, OK in an extrememly rare situaion you could have the converter itself mechanicaly bound up but very unlikely. I think you need to check the basics on the engine.

 

Although this is VERY true, you must look at the whole picture. 2nd gear oil must act against a closed TCC solenoid to move the apply valve "up" in its bore, so theoreticly, it should not apply untill second, BUT, since this is a new "rebuild", it would not suprise me that the TCC apply valve is stuck in the apply position. If this valve is stuck in the "apply" position, as long as there is line pressure (engine running), the TCC WILL lock up.

I HAVE seen this on another so-called "rebuild". The Apply valve was jammed up inside the pump housing.



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Now I'm not so confused. I understand why it shouldn't happen in first gear, and also how it could! Now if I can just retain the info in my feeble mind......LOL

 

Holy Crap.... you guys know alot about transmissions!! First i would like to thank all you guys for the responses. But i think some of you may have mistook what i said. The engine doesnt die when i drop DOWN a gear it dies when i put it in A DRIVE gear. Also I can also hear a sound that kinda resembles one of those big marbles bouncing on a wooden desk(in short bursts, lasting about a sec.) when i rev the engine. That the best analogy i can think of right now.
The tranny was rebuilt by a friend who works at Chevrolet. The kit was from TCI.

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89CamaroRS
Power Rating: 1.21 Jigowatts
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We understood you fully. It stalls when you put it in gear. It probably does it in reverse also. I bet if you held the RPMs up and dropped it in gear, it would take off (although I DO NOT reccomend this!)



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'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Whatever chip I feel like burning,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
3.73 Posi
4wheel Disc Brakes

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

I had the same problem once. My problem was that when my transmission was rebuilt it was rebuilt so that it is a non-lockup. I didn't realize this and the guy didn't tell me that he built it this way since he gave me a brand new stock torque converter with the rebuild. When I ordered a TCI Saturday Night Special converter it did the same thing as what you describe. I sent it back and got another one. It did the same thing. I call the guy that rebuilt my trans and he explains this to me.

I now have a non-lock up "Neal Chance Racing" converter in there and I Love it. It's a 3200 stall.

 

Print this thread and go out to your car.

1) OPEN HOOD
2) LOOSEN THE DISTRIBUTOR
3) TURN THE DISTRIBUTOR CLOCKWISE
4) TIGHTEN DISTRIBUTOR
5) GET IN CAR
6) CRANK CAR
7) DROP IT INTO GEAR

If the idle drops some and still runs, you found the problem. If it tries to run then dies, you need to advance the dist some more. If it dies, then advance the dist again and try one more time. If it doesnt help then you might be in transmission problems.

Dont wait for 50 people to say the same thing. Try this fix NOW!

Got it?

Good luck
Clayton

 

Good point GM Tech, I wasn't thinking of it that way. It would be rare but not impossible at all. Especially with that TCI special!!!

 

If a retarded distributer can cause this, then spank my A$$ and call me Charlie....

Yes, the TCC being locked up WOULD be rare, but if its anything like the last supposed "rebuild" that did this, than it shouldn't be ruled out.

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
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GM Master Tech
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Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Whatever chip I feel like burning,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
3.73 Posi
4wheel Disc Brakes

'97 Bonneville SSE

[This message has been edited by GMTech (edited May 14, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by GMTech (edited May 14, 2001).]

 

By the way, it's counter-clockwise to advance the timing.

 

GM Tech, couldnt the noises from the tranny area could possibly be caused by something else? Couldnt we be talking 2 not 1 problems? Maybe worn/loose transmission mount and or worn/loose torque arm mount? My transmission mount made lots of clunking noises, even when shifting into gear, so thats a possibility.

I am not saying that it ISNT a stuck TCC LU switch, but isnt it easier to check the timing? Start w/ the easiest thing first.

All my last post was designed to do was to get TriGenRS to at least try some of the suggestions. Process of elimination.

[EDIT: You are correct, excuse me, turn the dist counter clockwise]

Clayton

[This message has been edited by El Guapo (edited May 14, 2001).]

 

After working on may 3T40 cars w/ TCC problems, I guess I get set in my ways, especially since I know of an F-body w/ a 700 w/ the EXACT same sypmtoms, that also just had a "rebuild" and the person who overhauled it, messed the TCC valve up in the pump, and it got jammed in the apply position. I don't want to beat a dead horse, it could be alot of things, but like I said, it sounds too much like a TCC problem to be ignition related, but we can all make mistakes...

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

GM Master Tech
ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Whatever chip I feel like burning,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
3.73 Posi
4wheel Disc Brakes

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Go do a neutral drop!




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Sure! Do a neutral drop! You take a good chance of dropping other parts, like the tranny mount, engine mounts, etc....

Try raising and supporting the rear wheels (Jackstands) then start the car and put it in gear without the brakes holding it back. If it does keep running, you have the TCC solenoid problem, if it still dies, look elsewhere.

GMTech, I know exactly what you mean on the 3T40/TH125's! I see them fairly often also!

------------------
Working on:
'84 Z28 LG4 305 with 200,000 original miles!
Added dual elec fans.
145 MPH IROC Speedo
Building 430 HP 350 (ZZ430)
using primarily GMPP parts.
Short block sitting on a stand. (Man, those Fast-Burn heads sitting on it look good!)

Starting to look like the Kicker poster child!

ASE Certified Master Tech

 

My 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 jerks and dies as soon as it’s put into any gear.. I took the drive shaft out and it doesn’t die when put into gear but makes a weird screeching/grinding noise only in reverse.. I checked the rear end by jacking the rear up and spinning the tires both ways.. took the cover off rear end everything looked fine. I’ve changed the tcc solenoid and torque converter lock up valve and nothing.. I’m guessing the problem is torque converter. Also supposedly a “rebuilt” transmission… please help

 

Guessing before you registered a new account here you didn't notice this is a forum for 1982 to 1992 Camaros and Firebirds.