Help, Torque Converter wont turn!

I was going to connect a recently bought (used)700r4 box to my 350 sbc tonight but when i slid the converter all the way onto the shaft i discovered it wont turn. Have i bought a knackered gearbox or is it because its a 700r4 and a lockup converter?

Any help would be great as i want to get them connected ASAP

Thanks, Steve.

 

That's a bad converter.

 

Busted converter. Might want to pull the pan off the transmission and see if there is any evidence of debris in there.

 

Torque Converters don't lock up . Front pump may be locked up. Are you sure the convertor is installed properly?

 

That seems really odd. Does the trans spin with the converter when the trans is in Neutral?

 

Tried it in neutral too but just the same. Is there any way of testing the converter? Should i be able to turn the shaft by hand?

 

If nothing turns, you're looking at trans internals. Like Grumpy said, sounds like it's the pump. Pull the pan, check for debris, then get to pulling the pump out.

Edit - If you're certain that it's the right converter installed correctly.

 

OK, Not what i wanted to hear but i shall start taking it apart tomorrow. Thanks.

 

Just read in a book that lockup converters have clutches in them, could this mean the clutches are stuck and therefore still a converter fault?

 

Is the transmission out of the car ?

 

Something to think about, may not apply to GM..

On C4 ******s, there are a few different converters and bellhousings over the years. I have tried to mix and match parts I had laying on the shelf, and in some cases, the converter will seat in far enough to contact the bellhousing, or the bell has a different contour..whatever it is, it prevents the converter from turning.

And if the trans is bolted to the engine and it won't turn, the converter is not all the way in, and your front pump might be damaged in the process.

 

If you pushed the convertor all the way in, the back side of the convertor may be hitting the front pump housing bolts keeping it form turning. If this is the case you can pull it forward about 1/4" and it should turn ok.

 

It should clear the pump bolts when pushed all the way in...

I think the pump is binding. Try backing all the pump bolts out 1/2 turn and see if the converter will turn. If it does, tighten the pump bolts to 22ft/lbs evenly and try again.

You are using the 700 converter, aren't you? 'Cuz the 350 converter won't work at all...

 

Turn the converter snout down and pour out the fluid inside if its full of metal , the staitor or internals are done. Rob

 

Quote: knackered gearbox


I am a knacker - I buy junk and try to salvage the good from it. Yet, s**** is just plain old s**** metal.

 

If I ever ran into a "binding" pump, the last thing that I would want to do is put it all back together and hope it works.... but that's just me.

You've been drinking, haven't ya?

 

Thanks fellas, I will check out these suggestions in a bit and report back! I am suspecting a pump problem. Cheers.

 

check the pump!

 

OK, Took the sump off earlier- Very clean looking in side, although there was a little square magnet on the sump which had some grey metallic paste on it. I removed the pump and with it split there is a groove worn (by the gear)in it that is deep enough to catch my fingernail- the groove is on one side on and about 2" long
Any recommendations on what to do next- resurface or new pump?
The torque converter was dry so that has given me no indication of condition.
Also I realise the 30 spline box is preferred over the 27 spline box- can someone confirm the splines i need to count is on the smaller shaft (input i believe) closest to the engine?
Can someone also recommend a 700r4 rebuild book-first gearbox build

 

bump

 

So why was it locked up? You have not addressed that yet. Just get a remanned pump. make sure you install it properly. The smaller shaft in the center is the one you count the splines on.