Installed the C4S with the new motor, had a leak at the cooling line, got it fixed, filled with correct AT fluid, and I get nothing in reverse or the forward gears. Did I miss something when installing, or does it take a while for the pressure to build back up in the tranny? (was close to being totally drained before install). Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Jim/Andy
Fire up the motor with the trans in park and keep topping off the fluid until it shows on the dipstick. Been a while since I built a trans. With a drained converter, cooler, and fresh trans it seems to me like it takes about 10 quarts. Cleaver
Here's where I am so far.... With the initial excitement of getting the motor and trans in the car, I had my son begin to replace the tranny fluid, big oops as I had forgotten to reinstall the driveshaft and I think that all but about maybe a quart ended up on my driveway. So I reinstalled the driveshaft and put in a total of 6 (counting what was already in there), then noticed a leak in the cooling line which probably leaked about 1/2 quart or so. Got that fixed, had the car on ramps for easy access underneath, and was putting the last 2 quarts in when I noticed it was pooling (probably a quart) and appeared to be coming from an overflow tube on the left (drivers side) of the tranny. Got that all cleaned up and now when I check the fluid, it looks kinda frothy, not real bad, but has some air bubbles in it. It is also reading well over full and up the dipstick when in park with the motor running. It will hold itself when in drive, but thats it. I'm sure the converter was seated to the pump housing as it took us about 45 minutes to get the tranny to line up and sit flush with the block. 2 distinct "clicks" were heard as the converter seated all the way back in the bellshousing. All that being said, I don't know what to do next. Should I drain the tranny and start over? Jim/Andy
If you have that much oil, you need to drain some out. After you done that start the engine and run through the gears. Don't move the car just run through the gears. This will move the oil around where it should be. It sounds like you do have the converter in all the way or it will bind the engine and you would not be able to bolt it on.
Called a reputable tranny shop yesterday and he said it sounds like we "punched the pump" when we put it in. Gonna pull it and take it in. He said worst case senario would be about $150-$200 if he had to replace the pump and gears. Now if I can just get it out...... Thanks for the ideas and assistance. Jim/Andy
Well, the Mav is finally on the road. The tranny guy dropped it, pulled it apart, etc... the pump, clutches, and stador were all fine. I feel really stupid on this one, but the problem was the wrong torque converter. Splines didn't match up. I guess this was a live and learn situation, but I'm probably the only one on the board with a $600 torque converter in his Mav. BTW that C4S is actually kinda fun to drive. Just gotta remember to shift. Now its time to start on the body. Thanks again to all who gave advice and offered technical assistance throughout this project. On a different note, I found a 72 Mav in a boneyard with a 302 in it, factory exhaust manifold intact, no trans but the bellhousing is there. Will probably need considerable work, but what do you guys think something like this would be worth? Jim/Andy
