It's been many,many years since I have had a Buick with an automatic trans, and alot more since I had one with a stall converter. I currently have a 2800 stall converter in my car that has a TH 400 and a manual reverse pattern valve body. Tonight, I got the car running and up to temperature checking for leaks or problems. Only 1 small minimal front oil pan leak was discovered and tightened. When I put the car in gear,it took some effort to get it to move. About 2800-3000 and it moved fine, thus letting me know about where the converter range was within. I guess I wasn't really ready for this and it may sound stupid,but when I put it in reverse,it seemed to need 3000 rpms to move,but again moved fine in doing so. Is this what I can expect out of this converter? Is it common? I was thinking of going with a 3500 converter,but man that seems alot of rpms just to make the car move. May sound like a retard question,but like I said, I am relearning auto trannys again... I also noticed the trans gauge didn't move all that much after running for about 1/2 hour. Is that normal? What would be a good temp to have when it's heated up and moving?
Hey Pat are you sure its a 2800 stall? I'm no expert either,but it sound like its behaving more like a 3800 stall would,a 2800 stall converter won't let the engine rev above 2800 at 0 mph,and with a quality converter the car should start moving at well below the advertised stall. As far as trans temp, it won't build much heat unless it is under load,when you start driving it at rpms under the stall and it is 'slipping' that's when it will generate plenty of heat. Like I said I'm no expert just know a little about what I have read. Good luck-and keep it COOL!!! Haha
It's a JW transmissions converter. I thought the fluid wasn't at its proper level and thought maybe since I have an external oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator and twist lock hoses through the frame,I wondered if there was enough fluid. I checked it and it was just fine while running and in park. I guess I must just not be used to these automatic thingies as I have always had 4 speed GS cars. May take some getting used to,but I think in time I will adapt.
The car should move well before the stall speed. It's called converter efficiency. BTW, just because a converter is marketed as 2800, doesn't mean it will stall there IN YOUR CAR. Lots of variables affect converter stall, engine torque, car gearing, car weight to name a few. It sounds to me like it is too loose. Make sure the transmission is full. Run it through each gear and then check it again.
I will perform this job tomorrow and report back. Like I said, I am totally unfamiliar with the autos. I have to install the metco loop anyways as I got it running and didn't want to mess around near the hot headers tonight. I have a factory tach,so it may also be a little off in the rpms as well Still undecided as to whether to use my monster tach yet...Want to keep the interior clean and no nonsense as possible.
Not trying to sound facetious or anything, but since it's a manual valve body are you sure it was in 1st gear? The way you describe it, seems like you were in 2nd or 3rd.
Artie, I adjusted the pushrods(think I need to go one more time through it) and backed the car out of the garage. I noticed the rpms were in the 1100-1300 range and the car moved. Not sure what I was thinking last night. Took the old guy out on the road and WOW... This bad boy sure is alot of fun. I swerved back and forth and in a straight line to get the posi and gears lubed then stood on it. I ripped a set of posi's about 30 ft long and got about another 5-6 in second gear. It's gonna take some getting used to shifting the column lever to low when it's in high gear. Those 3.90's are snappy...Gonna sell off my 2 72 GS grilles and 70 Lark grille as well as aircleaner and parts to get enough to buy a set of front runner Draglite wheels..
Pat, it gets alot more fun with a tranny brake....3200 rpms, let go of the button, the track disapears for a few ....thats a rush....need about a 4500 stall converter for that tho....:eek2:
