So I went to take my car on its first drive today and after putting it in gear there was no movement at all. I tried every position on the shifter (including reverse) and nothing. Previously during the day on the jack stands we tested it with no wheels on it and it rotated in d and reverse, but it seems under weight it wont move at all. I took off the upper trans cooler line from the radiator and there wasn't anything flowing out. Does anyone have an idea what is wrong?

For reference it is a motor/trans from a 97 z28 that was driven into my garage before I began the swap, so I know the trans was working. I also deleted cruise control and acr, but I do not believe that would have an effect on the gears engaging.

 

What year is the computer? I assume you changes the trans filter. Sounds like you have a clog in the system somewhere.

 

I took everything from the 97, so it would be the OBDII. I did not change the trans filter, that was on the agenda tomorrow. I overfilled the trans so some ran out of the hose at the top, so I was going to drop the pan and change the filter. Also I should note the radiator is brand new also.

 

Did you break the motor loose from the tranny? Any chance thhe Converter is not seated? Sound like either the front pump gave up or the regulator spring popped. Over filling a tranny with fluid can destory the tranny very quickly but it would take awhile just sitting there not driving it.

 

Yeah the motor was separated from the transmission to once over everything, like checking the rear main. I believe the converter seated properly, I bolted it to the flexplate first and then attached the transmission. The transmission mated with the engine pretty easy, no complications. All the bolts went in fine and sat flush. And I know overfilling it is bad, but it was really low on the dipstick (originally what I thought the problem was) but I overfilled it. But I dont think it not engaging gears would hurt it, especially since I had nothing running to the cooler.

 

Sorry bro you trashed your front pump. The process you use to install it is all wrong and had very little chance of working with out damaging your pump. It is the most common DIY mistake. When the pump fails it send metal into your system. Its going to need a rebuild/replace the unit.

How to install Torque Converter and Automatic Transmission - YouTube

The no fluid in the line is cause by a bad pump, there is not much else that can cause it other then pump, no fliud or filter installed wrong. With no pressure on the wheels the tightness of the clutch packs can cause the car to drift forward, that is what you saw when the car was on stands. When we over pack clutchs sometimes you have to keep you foot on the brake while in neutral to keep the car still.

 

Hm, so it wouldn't be worth the time to try and reseat the torque converter? Maybe a built transmission will have to come sooner than expected lol

 

You can try but what normally happens is the ears push into the vains and the second the motor starts the very precision pump turn into complete crap. The pump itself was damaged when you bolted the motor up. At that point you could just replace the pump. Once the car starts the pump trys to work but just rips itself apart.

I only did trannies for 2 years. I saw atleast 6 of these and I'll bet I had a dozen phone calls asking what could be wrong with my install?. I had 2 customes that could not get the Flex plate to line up (cause they where wedge together). They where luck, $175 pump and they where on their way.

 

My trans only has revers was driving and made a pop noise no movement frontward only revers also has metal shavings in pan what's wrong