Help! No power to the wheels!

[IntegratedTJ]

So I just got my new motor in, it DEFINITELY makes more power than my old engine.. I shift it in to gear (it's an automatic. Th350 on a 350 small block.) And go to accelerate.. the RPM'S are on track but the RPM's aren't matching how much power it should be putting out. Hard to explain.. It is obvious the power is there but it's not putting the power to the wheels like it should be. Please help.

[Molberg]

Check your tranny fluid?

[IntegratedTJ]

I just put in 4 quarts. I heard it could be the transmission filter. Could a clogged tranny filter really cause this? Because there is a chance that it's clogged up. Could it be an axle or drive shaft? Or would that not cause it.

[Molberg]

Absolutely. Tranny needs fluid pressure to operate.... Via pump... Which draws through filter. Can't draw oil= no pressure/flow.

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by Molberg

Absolutely. Tranny needs fluid pressure to operate.... Via pump... Which draws through filter. Can't draw oil= no pressure/flow.

It shifts fine, though. Sorry to question I just wanna make sure before I pull it apart. So even though it shifts fine, a clogged tranny filter could definitely make the power not transfer to the wheels?

[71swb4x4]

Do you have a high stall converter? Does it do it at all RPM's and speeds?

[litew8]

How did it run before the new engine? Your converter could be low on fluid. I'd say either the filter or converter. You just put 4 quarts in? That's a lot.

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Do you have a high stall converter? Does it do it at all RPM's and speeds?

It has a stock 1972 chevy c10 th350 torque converter. The power is consistently low. The power is 100% not being converted to the wheels as it should be. Haven't got it going too fast for fear of damage. But the RPM's definitely don't match the power and it stays like that through the gears.

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by litew8

How did it run before the new engine? Your converter could be low on fluid. I'd say either the filter or converter. You just put 4 quarts in? That's a lot.

It ran better than this does now. And it had bad compression, bad rings, all stock, clogged up, etc. However, I heard that if the torque converter slides out too far when the engine's not attached to it, it can cause problems, that's another possibility.. disclaimer.. this engine runs beautifully, but the power isn't being transferred to the wheels as it should be.

[litew8]

Are you checking the fluid hot?

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by litew8

Are you checking the fluid hot?

Yes. And there were around 4-5 quarts put in the transmission. And the transmission shifts fine like I said the only problem is that the power isn't getting put to the wheels. RPM is noticably higher than the power output that's being seen. There's definitely enough transmission fluid. Also I put 4 quarts because it was empty.

[Molberg]

Yaaaa... Gotta make sure the converter is fully seated. 4 quarts is a lot. Did you drain the converter? Or put in a high stall?

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by Molberg

Yaaaa... Gotta make sure the converter is fully seated. 4 quarts is a lot. Did you drain the converter? Or put in a high stall?

The converter is on there right.. only way that it can bolt on there I guess? Sorry I'm learning as I go. The converter could have slid forward more than it should have though? I dodn't purposefully drain the converter but it could have splooged. There was some tranny fluid on my driveway while the engine was out. It's a stock torque converter.

[litew8]

Stock converter should be fine for your engine. Did it 'click' into place when installed? I'd change that filter (sounds like you need to anyway) and see if things get better.

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by litew8

Stock converter should be fine for your engine. Did it 'click' into place when installed? I'd change that filter (sounds like you need to anyway) and see if things get better.

Damn.. I didn't click it in to place when I installed it... Do I need to remove the whole engine to seat it? I guess you learn by your mistakes.. I figured it was fine. But no. It was sliding sort of back and forth. Definitely not seated properly. What do I need to do from here? Try to seat it with the engine in first I guess..?

[litew8]

When installing, you put it on and turn it until it clicks and seats further. It should spin freely when installed before bolting to engine. Some comments from someone else who can say it better than me: "the converter should be engaged in properly AND the converter NEEDS to have 4 quarts in it on start up ..if not there is a good chance you baked the bushings/bearings in it. In the trans. shop we always put 4 qts. in the converter and 4 in the trans. before start up then as soon as possible add enough to full mark on dipstick, run for 20 minutes while shifting through all gears while sitting still to get all air out of valves and check again ..."

4 quarts in the converter before installing may be a bit much. You could put 1/2 that prob. and be ok. It just shouldn't be dry.

[litew8]

Was there a gap between the torque converter and flywheel before you bolted it up? or was it a tight fit with no play? I'm not sure if you can seat it while it's up in there.

[litew8]

Technical Help Video - Trans Torque Converter...

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by litew8

Was there a gap between the torque converter and flywheel before you bolted it up? or was it a tight fit with no play? I'm not sure if you can seat it while it's up in there.

Thanks man. Big help! There was play in it so I should be able to seat it. Also my motor mounts are able to slide bqck and forth if I need an inch or two. I'll see what I can do hopefully fixes my problem!

[litew8]

Sounds good. I'm not sure - like that guy in the video says - if you don't seat it properly you'll seize the whole thing. I've never installed one improperly, so I'm not sure. Maybe you do have it installed OK? Try the new filter first. It'd be the easiest to eliminate. If that doesn't fix it, maybe you burned up some seals? idk

[brad_man_72]

One time I thought my truck wasn't making power, then I saw the cloud of tire smoke behind me. Check your tires.

[IntegratedTJ]

Originally Posted by litew8

Sounds good. I'm not sure - like that guy in the video says - if you don't seat it properly you'll seize the whole thing. I've never installed one improperly, so I'm not sure. Maybe you do have it installed OK? Try the new filter first. It'd be the easiest to eliminate. If that doesn't fix it, maybe you burned up some seals? idk

I didnt seat it. :/I didnt work on it. Completely forgot.

[roxxx]

This might give you an idea on how far it has to be seated

How to seat a torque converter - YouTube

[69chevy lwb]

if it is still acting up after you seat it you might have broken the pump because when the converter isnt seated and its bolted up it forces the input shaft through the trans and usually breaks the pump, i dont think there to bad of a fix but it gives to a good reason to make sure everything is in good shape and maybe even justify a shift kit? dont worry this is something just about everyone does once i was fortunate enough to have my uncle catch my mistake before i finished up his car.

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by IntegratedTJ

So I just got my new motor in, it DEFINITELY makes more power than my old engine.. I shift it in to gear (it's an automatic. Th350 on a 350 small block.) And go to accelerate.. the RPM'S are on track but the RPM's aren't matching how much power it should be putting out. Hard to explain.. It is obvious the power is there but it's not putting the power to the wheels like it should be. Please help.

I'm trying to understand what you're saying. you put in gear, floor it, it goes through the gears and shifts, but it seems like a 4 cylinder? or does it seem like the engines overrevving in gear but the wheels aren't spinning as if the tranni was slipping? ?????