Transmission S.O.S.

[vancec]

My mechanic has had the trannie rebuilt and has installed the engine and tranny back into the car. The engine wouldn't turn. So they pulled them out. The engine, by itself turns, the trannie, with the torque converter attached, by itself, turns. The trannie and engine bolted together don't turn.

They have the shop manual. They have years of experience. They've been paid. They're out of time.

Does anyone know of a cause or a mechanic I can have them talk to?'

They swear there was no spacer between the two when they took them apart and cannot find anything about it in the manual. I am trying to get this to paint asasp.

Anyone?

Thanks
vance

[Mad Scientist]

It sounds like something is preventing the torque converter from seating all the way into the transmission.

Did they change the front oil pump gear, this is directly driven by the converter and the coupling between the two was known to wear out. A new and improved gear was made but I don’t know if the two are interchangeable.

Before the converter is bolted to the flexplate there should be about .040" endplay.

[Barry Wolk]

Does it turn manually with the starter removed?

Any new parts installed other than gaskets?

[vancec]

Does it turn manually with the starter removed?

Any new parts installed other than gaskets?

Maybe; it's out of my hands now. My mechanic has sent the trans it back to the transmission guy. Who knows what he'll come up with. I F'ing hate having to depend on other people to restore the car and having to use the cheapest-priced places. I never seem to learn.

But since I just lost my job I am in no position to switch over to "retail" solutions now.

Wish me luck.

But any more suggestions regarding anything the average transmission shop wouldn't have experienced before are appreciated.

[Nick DeSpirito]

Vance,

Hope they find out the problem. I had mine out years ago, but it was done at my mechanic's shop and I don't remember much as I wasn't an active participant in the job. I remember buying the rebuild kit from a place called Fatsco. They are here in Fairfield, NJ next town over from where I live. We didn't send the unit out, as my mechanic rebuilt it in house. I would tell him about your problem and ask for advice, but unfortunately he's not around anymore and I don't know where he is. Good luck. Let us know what the problem was when you find out.

[Mad Scientist]

I was talking to my next door neighbor this afternoon as he and his son were helping me casually lift and remount my front bumper.

Anyway he owned a transmission shop for 25 years and is now does new product evaluation and consulting. He knows transmissions inside and out.

He agree the only reason the engine is binding is the torque converter is not fully seated, and the most likely reason for that is the front oil pump gear was put in backwards.

[vancec]

my mechanic is asking me if there was a spacer between the engine and transmission. Anybody?

He also said the torque converter shop had to make a new neck for the torque converter since one of the ears was missing. He says they may have made that neck too long?

Are there any sources for specs I can give him other than the MarkII shop manual?

[Mad Scientist]

The MKII does not user a spacer plate between the engine and the transmission.
He says they may have made that neck too long?

That is probably the problem. I just measured my old converter and the length of the neck is 1.650".

[vancec]

The MKII does not user a spacer plate between the engine and the transmission.


That is probably the problem. I just measured my old converter and the length of the neck is 1.650".

Thanks very much for that spec. I am going to give it to my mechanic and that will answer that question with certainty.

[vancec]

Lo and behold, the torque converter guy put a gear in backward. Fit like glove and the engine/trans are back in. Now if fires up!

[Nick DeSpirito]

I was talking to my next door neighbor this afternoon as he and his son were helping me casually lift and remount my front bumper.

Anyway he owned a transmission shop for 25 years and is now does new product evaluation and consulting. He knows transmissions inside and out.

He agree the only reason the engine is binding is the torque converter is not fully seated, and the most likely reason for that is the front oil pump gear was put in backwards.


Mad, You nailed it from 2000 miles away.:D

[vancec]

Mad, You nailed it from 2000 miles away.:D

But this gear was in the torque converter. So my mechanic is mad at his transmission guy, the transmission guy is mad at the guy who rebuilt the torque converter and I am mad that I lost a week and a half. But mostly I'm relieved. Tuesday they turn the ignition key. Every pray it runs! Anymore setbacks and I may lose it.

[Barry Wolk]

Did you ever see the movie, "The Money Pit"?

"Two more weeks!"

[Mad Scientist]

I will bet the the guys that worked on your transmission were probably not even born yet when this transmission was made. :D

Thus this was likely the first time they have ever worked on one. So even though there are many similarity's to a modern one there are also many differences and idiosyncrasies that they were totally unaware of.

[crystal59]

For transmission on my mark I had to find an old retired mechanic who worked on marks when they were new. Yes they are still around and he was thrilled to be back in the saddle. It took hiim longer afternoon naps etc. but worth it

[Don Henschel]

For transmission on my mark I had to find an old retired mechanic who worked on marks when they were new. Yes they are still around and he was thrilled to be back in the saddle. It took hiim longer afternoon naps etc. but worth it

Shouldnt have to. It's a bit amusing how simple and crude these transmissions are compared to the modern 4+ speed transmissions. The control valve is a fraction of what even the slightly newer transmissions use from the sixties and seventies, IE: the transmission starts out in second gear even though it is a three speed because of fewer valve and clutch parts. If you want an adventure take apart some of the last fully mechanical overdrive transmissions or overdrive transaxles apart;)