Hunterg34 Posted July 5, 2022 Share Posted July 5, 2022 We just put in the new motor and tranny this weekend. As I was shifting through all the gears the transmission wasn’t doing anything, car wasn’t driving. I seen the shift paddle move to different gears so it was shifting from inside car. Hello would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 How much fluid is in the transmission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 About 2 gallons 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 Is the 'new' transmission a factory new unit, rebuilt or reconditioned transmission, or is it a used one from a salvage yard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 Used one from a salvage yard. Was told it was tested and good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 Silly question, I know but did you bolt the torque converter to the flex plate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 Yes. Filled it with fluid before installed as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 Is it pumping fluid? Is fluid circulating in the cooler lines? Any leaks? Funny noises (buzzing, hiss, knocks...)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 No leaks or funny noises. As far as it pumping fluid I will have to check tomorrow. Wrapped things up for the night. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 My initial reaction is either the pump isn't working (hence the cooler line fluid flow check) or there's a valve body (solenoid?) problem; i.e., something is stuck or broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 10 hours ago, Hunterg34 said: Was told it was tested and good. Hmmmm -- I would have liked to have seen that test... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 What is the appropriate gap between flex plate and torch converter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 I don't have the answer to the question above, but did you spin the converter and ensure that it engaged the pump before bolting it to the flexplate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) How do you make sure it engages the pump? I put it in and it spun normally. When I went to bolt up to engine the flex plate was about a 1/2 inch away from bolt mounts of them TC. I’m wondering if I bolted it and tc slid out of the pump shaft. Almost like I have to shim it away from there flex plate? Edited July 7, 2022 by Hunterg34 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 Usually once the torque converter is inserted into the transmission it needs to be rotated until the converter slides back into the transmission about 1/2", indicating that it has engaged the pump drive. Once the bell housing is attached to the engine, the torque converter typically is pulled back out a bit (maybe 1/4" at most) to meet the flexplate. From what you're saying it sounds to me as though the torque converter and flex plate may not be compatible with each other. Did you install the converter that came with the new (used) transmission? Did you install the flexplate from the transmission donor or is it your original? I haven't done one of these FWD Rivieras myself, so I don't know what issues you may run into. All I do know is these cars came with several different engines (i.e., Buick V6, Buick 350 V8 and Olds 307 V8). Is your engine the same as the one that was in the car that donated the transmission? If not, you probably need to change the torque converter. Depending upon what was wrong with your original transmission I would consider installing a new or reman TC that's correct for your car. That should ensure the flexplate/TC interface is correct. The interface between the TC and transmission should then also be correct. I'm guessing that the trans you have was from a car that had a different engine than yours. If so, then bolting-up the TC to the flexplate may have moved it forward enough to disengage it from the pump. That's why it would be good to open the cooler lines and see whether any ATF is circulating with the engine running. Just fit a hose to the discharge line and clamp the open end into a bucket. Start the engine and let it run for 10~15 seconds. Shut the engine off and look for ATF in the bucket -- should be more than just whatever dribbles out of the line due to gravity... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 I have an olds 350 motor and a trans out of a 1982 Oldsmobile Tornado. Torque converter is the same one that came with the trans. I’m really thinking when I snugged up the torque converter bolts it disengaged it from the pump. Rather than tearing it all out Am I able to just shim in between the TC and flexplate? Such a bummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 Checked torque converter, it’s makin contact with the pump. Checked pressure and have no pressure. Dropped the pan to see if filter fell out and it didn’t. I don’t know what to do now other than drop the whole thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 2 hours ago, Hunterg34 said: I don’t know what to do now other than drop the whole thing Me either - I think that's the next step. You need to closely compare the converter in the trans with your original one. Measure from the flexplate mounting pad to the end of the 'snout'. Also compare depth of the notches in the two converters (they should be the same). If the converters physically match then you'll need to inspect the pump drive. If the converters check out there must be a problem with the pump drive or the pump itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 I have no idea where the 350 came from but if you’re trying to use that converter with the FWD transmission, you need to realize that the 85’s transmission has an overdrive lock-up torque converter. You definitely need the converter from another o/d lock-up transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 82 Oldsmobile tornados used the same Trannys as 85 rivieras correct ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) Correct. I think it's called a a TH325-4L. Got the chain conected correctly? Edited July 9, 2022 by RivNut (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 15, 2022 Author Share Posted July 15, 2022 I just had it rebuilt and having the same issue. Moving through the gears absolutely nothing happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Valve body issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 15, 2022 Author Share Posted July 15, 2022 Not sure. I would think the transmission place would’ve figured that out if they knew what they were doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 20, 2022 Author Share Posted July 20, 2022 Initially I had 2 gallons of ATF in, started it up ran it longer and boom finally went into gear and wheels moved: checked fluid and it was really low so I add 1 more gallon and jeep it running for another 15 minutes. Next day i start it up and put it in gear and nothing. What is going on? Can torque converter get air locked somehow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 Is fluid leaking anywhere? What does the coolant in the radiator look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 2 hours ago, Hunterg34 said: Initially I had 2 gallons of ATF in, started it up ran it longer and boom finally went into gear and wheels moved: checked fluid and it was really low so I add 1 more gallon and jeep it running for another 15 minutes. Next day i start it up and put it in gear and nothing. What is going on? Can torque converter get air locked somehow? Is there a possibility the o ring is missing from the filter tube?? Or is the wrong size? Tom Mooney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 My thoughts is a bad torque converter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterg34 Posted July 21, 2022 Author Share Posted July 21, 2022 Brand new torque converter. Also when engine is running, trans fluid on dipstick is way high and as soon as it goes into gear it drops down to normal level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 Sounds like it may be a bad torque converter. I'd be surprised if you have a NEW torque converter; 99% of them are remanufactured and my observation over the years has been that 50% of them are bad right out of the box... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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