Let's start from the beginning, bear with me.

Kevin's tranny appeared to be fine when we put his TCI reverse pattern manual valve body in it. But he prob didn't go 400 miles before his tranny's front pump busted. We really didn't think anything of it and just figured it was time. Well, we decided no money savings was going to be spared and wanted to get the best stuff we could for it. We didn't want to do a cheap rebuild. With that said....

We got him the Level Ten performance rebuild kit and front pump. Then we got a torque converter built from Probuilt (guy that posts here all the time) and we put the TCI reverse pattern valve body back in it. Also, let me say we did a complete refresh on the motor while we were at it. Everything was tight. The car ran great, he never got on it or anything because he is still in the break in period even though the tranny was built to be able to handle it. The front pump just went on him after 400 miles. Level Ten is warrantying their product and they are replacing it with no problems.

But we can't help but ask why this happened. We don't want to go through it again. Our speculation is it is either the torque converter has too much slop on the ears on the front pump (but we really don't think it is that) or the TCI manual valve body is causing too much pressure because it eliminates the accumulator valves in the valve body. The pressure may be causing the pump failures. There is no sign of any heat damage. The pump failure looks the same this time as it did last time.

The valve body is the only thing that is still the same. It is a different case, different shaft, different torque converter. I think it is the TCI valve body. What do ya'll think?? And has anyone else had similar problems?

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Stella
1987 IROC 305 TPI (Stella's daily)
1990 Formula 350 w/ T-Ram (Kevin's toy)
70 Monte Carlo (Stella's toy)

"You boys come here to race or just kiss? You want to know what I got underneath my hood?"
_ ____ _
Original Member of the Rice Converters Crew

[This message has been edited by 70Monte355 (edited October 14, 2001).]

 

Contact TCI and ask them. It's possible you missed something on the installation.

 

I will assume that there is now no modulator hooked up, right? This is a no-no and could be leading to your problem. Oh, by the way, check your crank thrust readings and keep an eye on that too if you are going to keep running that sort of setup.

 

Not sure what you are talking about. Are you talking about the TV cable valve? If so, it isn't hooked up.

 

Hmmm...another challenge, let's start by trying to guess what transmission this is, my first thoughts were a th350 also but it now sounds like it may be a 700 but then the tv cable is not hooked up so that can't be. Do I win?

 

Sorry..I should have been more clear to all those that don't know me here.

I am talking about my husbands 90 Firebird Formy 350. I am sure I don't have to say this, but just to make sure I am clear...it is a 700R4.

I forget that just because I am at a 3rd gen site I could be talking about something other then the 700.

 

Good point Jay. I ASSumed it was a 350 (Monte). Fixed high line is the same though and can do the same thing. Another wrinkle though is what is used in the pump. I would recommend the TransGo Hi Rev Pump Ring Kit in this and get rid of that VB setup. JMHO.