My daughter called me and said she was almost home when she heard a loud "snap!" She said she had to coast into a space at a handy parking lot. I drove over and suspected that the new B&M shifter cable got hung up on the driveline yoke and was not connected anymore. Towed it home (it was pouring rain) and it was less than a mile. Slid under with the help of jack stands and the cable looked to b OK. The ground was soaked and I did not trust having the shifter moved while I was under watching the lever on the tranny where the cable attaches to it. I am kinda doubting the broken cable now though.

I am hearing a erratic mechanical metal-on-metal toward the front of the engine. Any other ideas? The engine is new, just broke in (read broken). Any ideas what would keep the car from moving when it looks like it goes into gear? I was thinking timing chain... is that likely? Thanks, Ed

oh, just remembered: The brake booster was hissing for a couple of months. I figured the diaphragm was going. But I just noticed that the brakes are not working at all now. Foot travels to the floor and more hissing. I pulled the vacuum line off the booster and capped it with my thumb. The intake is giving good suction. Since I took my booster out of the equation, I am thinking the two are not related; but I thought I would mention it... you never know.

 

You are clear that it doesnt move under its own power..but will the engine run?

 

I mean wild guess here, but broken crankshaft?

 

Wow! Lots of possibilites, but need more info first.
Does engine idle and run?
Does the tranny try to pull at all, or nothing?

 

If I understand you correctly, the engine does run but you hear noise, and there's no movement at all when trans is in gear? Remove the transmission inspection cover and make sure the flex plate to torque converter bolts are still there, as well as the flexplate to crankshaft bolts. My gut feeling is the torque converter bolts.

 

Yes, the engine cranks over easily. Runs smooth with exception of the noise stated. Idles as it shoul. I have not tried to roll it in neutral, but I will try. The shifter, when in "P", allows the car to start. But when shifted to nay gear the car does not move, I don't hear it engaging the tranny. Its on level ground so I'll warm it up and check fluid levels; but everything was checked out before it ran last...

I'll check the things camaro 69 ame up with- good ideas. I don't think crankshaft cause if fires up without and loud clanking. I have never busted a timing chain; butit seems I would have these symptoms if I did (or shear a key).

Any other ideas?

 

Look at the fluid. It it dark or black? Does it smell burnt? It should be nice bright red( I'm sure you know that but just sayin).

Torque converter bolts. Tranny pump. Planetaries. Sun gear.


Here is my super stupid, but can be done safely tip and should only be done if the bolts holding the flexplate and torque converter are there and tight, Jack it up and support it on stands (all fours). Facing the car away from the house or garage or whatever. Then fire it up and manually move the lever to drive with the shifter cable disconnected. If the wheels start moving its in the shifter. If nothing happens your tranny is incommunicado, pull it.

 

Are located in Portland? If so I too am, and could take a look at it with you if you need further hands on assistance?

 

sounds like a cracked flex plate. torque converter bolts. or something deeper in the trans,

you can easily see if the shifter cable is working the shifter control arm on the trans. just make sure it is adjusted where it lands in each click of the control arm on the transmission. i got a new TH350 this spring. and the bracket had to be modified so what it said at the shifter it said at the transmission my park didnt put my trans in park. it put it half way into park so i had to adjust it where park is park. so do some looking so the trans is fully engaged in what you think it is.