[bluechevelless]

OK heres a weird one for you guys.
Ive got a 70 chevelle with original column shift th400.
Been rebuilt with nothing special but a 3000 stall convertor.
The trouble im having is after parking and setting for even 2 hours. When I put it in gear it doesnt engauge or even try to move at all. Sometimes I can get out and move the car a bit and then it will engauge but other times it wont do anything or just suddenly engauge. I cant figure it out its the same way forward and reverse. Ive gone through all the gears and even revved it while in gear and nothing works. Im confused on what it could be. Could the stall convertor be causing it? or a pump thats slow to work? Stuck valve?
Just looking for help. Its never left me stranded it always ends up going into gear and working normal.
Thanks

 

[Sid Coleman]

Really dumb question, but how's your trans fluid level?

 

[77 cruiser]

How about the filter has it been changed lately?

 

[bluechevelless]

Transfluid level is good, checked warm and running.
The filter hasnt been changed since rebuild which is nearing 4000 miles now.

Ive also noticed that the weather effects it. During the winter when it was cold it never did it, or did it very little. Now that its warmed up and over 70 degrees its doign it all the time.

 

[4t60e]

Sounds like you have a drainback problem. After the vehicle sits for a while the torque converter drains back into the transmission. once you
start the vehicle it takes a couple of minutes to fill the converter.The vehicle won't move until converter is filled. most common cause of this on TH400 is a pump bushing with too much clearance.

 

[von]

Have you checked the shifter linkage for proper adjustment?

 

[bluechevelless]

Yea I thought about that one too and reset it and it didnt help.

 

[bluechevelless]

Ok I think 4t60e is right, I parked it with the front wheels on ramps today cause I had to get under it and noticed it took a long time before it would move also the trans was hot so the fluid viscosity was down and was easier to drain out. Ive also noticed that the trans is leaking fluid from some where and I think its coming out from the flywheel cover. Do you think that the bushing and seals are gone? Will changing them help with the drainback problem?

 

[bluechevelless]

Well I removed the tranny cooler lines the other day from the radiator. The car had sit for a day before I did this and nothing, not even a drop of trans fluid came out of the radiator or trans cooler lines untill I had the trans out and tilted it quite a bit and trans fluid started coming out one of them. Kinda makes me wonder whats wrong with that... Now im thinking I need to check my lines and radiator for clogging. I just dont really know what to say. Anyone have any Ideas?