Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

Got my stock 402 back in the 72 and running beautifully this weekend. One problem: When I put it in gear (forward or reverse) I get nothing when I jump on the gas. If I rev it to 3000 it'll move a little. I already checked to make sure my TC was engaged. I actually had to pull it back out about 1/4" to bolt it to the flexplate. Also, I pulled the driveshaft and would rev the engine to see if the output shaft would spin. It only budges if I rev it to 3000as well. Do I need a new torque converter or is it something else?

Info: The TC is stock (yes, 35 years old). Running a TH400.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

i would say the tc is burntout smell the tranny fluild

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

ttt

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

I'd say you have more than a convertor problem. If this is the original tranny, it (as well as the torque convertor) is probably in need of a good rebuild/replacement of internals.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

couple ???'s

Did it work before you removed the engine?
Did you do any work to it while the engine was out?
Have you make sure the fluid level is correct?
Sounds like the fluid level is low to me.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

Are you certain that the TC engaged the trans correctly? If it didn't seat you may not be driving the trans pump.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

Yeah, it was seated correctly.

It is the original tranny and probably does need a little TLC, but I was hoping to not have to mess with it at this point.

It worked correctly before pulled. The only real complaint I had was when putting it into gear you would hear a nice thud and the whole truck would shudder.

I just filled the thing with fluid, but I suppose I could put more in (I haven't gotten the tranny up to operating temp because of this whole problem).

Thanks for the help guys, keep it coming.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

Although, low fluid level may be the problem, the more I think about it. I dropped the tranny back down and didn't have the expected fountain pouring out of the tailhousing.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

Just a thought , but I am guilty of this delemna, I installed a transaxle into a ford windstar and the torque converter had slid out a tad and than when I bolted and tightend up the bellhousing bolts the converter was not engaged into the front pump, so tightening trany to eng. I damaged the front pump, I than had to remove the tranny and replace the pump, just a thought with out knowing all else involved, maybe the pump got damaged in the same way , justa guess. good luck

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

ttt

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

What about shifter linkage? is it adjsuted correctly? I know it sounds like a long shot but a double check may save you from dropping the tranny.

Re: Torque Converter or Transmission?
 

sounds like it is low on fluid to me