Transmission Issues..... Please Help

[wldside]

Hello,

Well I am nearing the end of my 69 build and tried it through some gears after running it in the garage several times. When I put it in drive it seems to take quite a but of throttle to get it going.  Reverse requires a lot of gas.  When it is in neutral and on jack stands if I give it gas I can get the wheels to turn. Also, with the car off and in neutral and the rear off the ground it requires a fair amount of effort to turn the rear wheels..... I removed the drive shaft from the third member and checked the effort to turn the wheels and they don't turn super easy but quite a bit easier than with the shaft hooked up.  I had the rear end built by Dr. Diff some time ago and the transmission was rebuilt by a local shop.... I can say that I neglected to fill the new torque converter when I installed it..   I checked the fluid level and it seems ok.... Any ideas?? Man I'm ready to take it for a spin, I sure hope it's nothing major..... I really don't want to pull the trans...

Thanks for your help,
Dave

[cdr]

stock converter? also it has to be in neutral running to ck fluid

[wldside]

Thanks for the reply.  I have a new Turbo Action 11 inch converter, which I didn't fill.  The rear is a 3.73 Sure Grip (489 Case).  I did not check the fluid with the car running in neutral..... I am not familiar with the higher stall converters, maybe this is normal???

[FLG]

Check it in neutral, your probably a bit low.

The higher stall converter might take a bit more throttle but it sound like you need to really get on it? At what RPM does she start moving?

Check your fluid in neutral first.

[wldside]

I will fire it up and check the fluid as soon as I get home from work. Would low fluid cause it to take so much effort to turn the rear wheels in neutral, or is that normal?

Thanks a million

[firefighter3931]

Dave, fire the engine up and put it into N....this allows the trans pump to fill the converter. In Park, the pump will not fill the converter and over the course of a few days the converter will drain back into the transmission.

This often happens to cars that are driven sparingly so the proper procedure is to let the engine warm up with the trans in neutral....then check your fluid level. If it's a new/rebuilt trans run it through the gears to make sure fluid makes it's way throughout the trans. Then recheck the fluid level and adjust accordingly.

How much oil did you put in the differential ? New differentials/sure grips are tight but will loosen up with some drive time.  


Ron

[Brass]

Also, do you have new brakes?  If so, they might be binding just enough to keep the wheels from turning freely.  Might need to be adjusted or need to wear in.

[wldside]

Thanks for all the help!!!  This site is the best, great people.  Ran the car in neutral and what do you know, she took almost another three quarts..... I feel silly, but relieved that it was somethimg that simple.... Bet I never make that mistake again. Windshield went in this evening and I'm gonna take it on the road tomorrow. First time in 7 years....... Cant wait...

Thanks to everyone, and a very special thanks to Ron for all he has done to make this build a success. We are so fortunate to have him here.

Dave

[firefighter3931]

Great news Dave....figured it was just low on lube 

Getting closer to the maiden voyage 


Ron