TH350 Not going into gear

[RaceAGMC]

Ok guys, i'm new here, been kinda lurking around for a few months, but just picked up my 70 SWB truck, its a 350 with i believe a TH350 trans. I just got the motor running last night, and i go to put it in gear and the shifter moves, i hear the linkage moving at the trans, but no matter where i have the shifter, nothing happens. Any ideas? I sure would like to get this thing moving on it's own power.

[jayharrell]

Could be anything internal with the trans. Converter could be mucked up, pump gear might be stripped, filter might be cloged all together.

How new is the trans?? any info on it?? might not have a drive shaft installed???! *lol, jk*

[racin69z]

Make sure it's full of fluid before you try anything else.

Sometimes th350's have a good bit of delay before they kick into gear when they cold/been sitting for a while. It helps to blip the throttle up to about 1500-1800 rpm once or twice.

If you don't know the history of the trans, you can pull the pan and check the filter. Other than that, I would think you need to have it torn down to see whats wrong.

[RaceAGMC]

I have absolutley no history on the trans other than the guy that sold me the truck said it was new, but i know the truck has been sitting for at lease 4 yrs.

[jayharrell]

I agree, drop the pan. The only thing about that is you need 7 or 8 *can't remember how many it takes* quarts to get it back. So about $45 with the filter and fluild just to check the filter. It might just clean itself out with a fluid change.

Check and make sure all the trany bolts are tight and the trany is flush to the motor. The bolt holes in the trany will wear a V in them and with out washer it'll pull loose and strip the pump gear or worse break a fly wheel *ask me how i know, lol* There had to be a reason the PO stoped driving it.

[RaceAGMC]

Jayharrell, i'm sorry i'm new, what is the PO?

[Olden Days]

In 4 years time it may have all leaked out (fluid) check the fluid level.

[Longhorn Man]

PO is previouse owner.
I would crawl under, and make sure the converter is bolted to the flywheel, and then check the fluid level.
If it still doesn't move, probably plan on dropping the tranny out.

[RaceAGMC]

I'm actually not sure if the PO ever drove it with this Engine/ trans combo in it, he swapped or had someone swap a newer crate motor in it...sort of. When i picked it up it did not run, it needed some small odds and ends to get it fired up. I got it running, now i can't get it to move, I'll check the fluid tomorrow and keep u guys posted, btw, how many qts should it take if it is empty? I hope it isn't empty though.

BTW, thanks for all the quick replies.

[CharlieBrown]

as a guess

front pump could be bad..if so you have park..and5 neutrals basically

pull a cooler line off the radiator..start it up and see if there is pressure

if none...suspect pump

[Longhorn Man]

if the engine was 'just dropped in' that gives you even more hope of the converter bolts being out.

[jayharrell]

It would have made a realy realy bad screaming noise just for a few seconds right after the first start if the convertor wan't locked in right when the tray was bolted up. That points to the pump being bad. And the noise was the pump gear tabs shreading. It sounds almost like a started sticking for a second or two.

But i'm on par with everyone else too. Check flywheel bolts and see if the cooler line is pumpingout fluid while running.

[Longhorn Man]

if the converter is pushed back, then there would be no noise at all, the converter won't spin with the flex plate. If the converter was pulled out, then it would clang like no one's buisness and he'd be scared that it has a rod knocking.

[RaceAGMC]

Update: It was just super low on fluid. I dumped quite a bit in, and booyeah, she moves! Thanks for all your replies. I'll keep you updated on the progress as I get her roadworthy.