Red Beard

I just acquired a 66 with 289 and C4. Tranny was low and not engaging. I topped it off. Now when I shift into any gear with the brake applied the engine dies. The car is on jack stands so I grab a gear the axles spin. When I brake it's as off the torque converter is locked up and won't stall. Any ideas?

guitarman376

It isn't a tuning/carb issue? Vacuum maybe?

Red Beard

Would vacuum isues cause this? it idles fine, under 1000 rpm. I put a vacuum guage on the carb yesterday. vacuum is 14.

Gun Jam

well if the car were in gear and the wheels off the ground engine running brake off thats what one should see...did you expect a different presentation?

Example stopped at a light in D foot on brake. Take foot off brake and do nothing else the car rolls forwards.


How much fluid did you add? Did you remember to check fluid level with car hot, idling and in park?

What is your idle rpm in park?

What Is your idle RPM in D?

If your Park RPM is 750 then Idle RPM in D will be too low. Park RPM should be 1000ish so that 800 is acquired when In D.

-Gun

Red Beard

I did expect that presentation. However I did not expect the engine to die abruptly upon application of the brakes. It's as if the torque converter is not stalling. It acts like applying the brakes in a 4 speed car without pushing the clutch. I dont have a tach but it isnt idling high. I'd guess 1000 or less.

Gun Jam

I see.

How did it run before you added ATF? How much ATF did it take?

-Gun

Al Newman

Check the vacuum line to your transmission's modulator valve. Sounds like the system is open and leaking off vacuum. Also sounds like the carb idle/air adjustment system might have been reset to allow for smooth idle.
Best,
Al

jlg2002

stop the nonsense! it is not a vacuum leak
If it won't idle in gear with the wheels on the ground (but does if the wheels off ground-jacked) the trans is either locked up and mechanically failed (I had this happen to my 92 explorer) or the TC is not slipping. If it works ok with the trans in N or P and on the ground, it would insinuate that it is the TC. Either way the trans has to come out.

Al Newman

Thanks, but I'll stick with a vacuum leak.
Best,
Al

Gun Jam

I still want to know when it last ran right (If ever) and what may have been done to it to stop it from running right....Did it run okay before the atf was added?

-Gun