Going to try 1st transmission swap. What am I missing?

[WisconsinCutlass]

Went and spent 2 much money yesterday. Got the new trans. I noticed it had a speedogear housing and gear in it so I went to take it out. Good thing I had already ordered a new one from gbodyparts. I destroyed the old one getting it out. It was rusted in place very well. I've never seen a driven gear like this either. I'm guessing it's the way they came from the factory? I also found I have to change the drive gear which I was expecting. I'm also gonna add a drain plug in the pan thats going to double as the sensor for my trans temp gauge. My friend that I asked to help me with the swap has a wedding next weekend so I probably wont get this in till the weekend after. Anyways heres some pics.

 

[pontiacgp]

looking good and for next weekend why not have the wedding party at your place and you'll have lots of help

 

[Pedrolif]

... I also found I have to change the drive gear which I was expecting. I'm also gonna add a drain plug in the pan thats going to double as the sensor for my trans temp gauge....

One of the things I'm not looking forward to putting in my "new rebuilt" trans I picked up off Craigslist is all the unknowns. At least you got all your parts in order before you go to put it in. I'm going to fly by the seat of my pants and pray it is a rebuilt and all in good shape and I don't need to buy anything other then new lines and swap shifter linkage from the old to the new.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

So I haven't made much progress the last 2 weekends with the weather finally getting nice in wisconsin the cutlass got neglected. This weekend I'm bound and determined to get this done.

I have 2 question hopefully the experts can answer. On the TCI lockup switch it can be wired just to lockup in 4th gear or it can be wired to a switch for manually locking up the torque converter. What are the benefits of manully locking the torque converter in second or third gear? I feel like I would lock the torque converter them forget about it if I did this. Also how much fluid do I put in the torque converter before installing it on the transmission?

 

[Pedrolif]

(smart *ss remark of the day) You can only put in so much before it starts to pour back out when you tip it to install it. That is when you stop.

But more seriously, I'm not at all sure, so a quick google check and this came up. https://www.tciauto.com/tc/fluid-capacity/

Depending on the size of the converter, between 2 and 5 quarts. As far as push button lock up converter wiring... the magic 8 ball isn't helping me.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

(smart *ss remark of the day) You can only put in so much before it starts to pour back out when you tip it to install it. That is when you stop

First time doing this so I wasnt sure if there was a to full. Thanks for the link! I have a ball park number now instead of lets fill the converter up then spill half of it back on the floor when I install it. Which will probably still happen.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I would say maybe a liter(quart) would fit easily, I think I put in a couple last swap. I have my lock up manual, only advantage is you know it will lock and unlock. I personally don't think locking up the minute you shift into 4th is the best, especially if you have taller gears. Then again leaving your toggle switch on at low speeds isn't ideal either.😳

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

I actually made progress yesterday! Got the th350 dropped and out and got the new 200-4r in and bolted up. It went much smoother than I thought it was going to. A friend and I and a regular floor jack handled it easily. Only hiccup was I ended up having to unbolt the exhaust behind the headers and take the drivers side header off to get enough room for the bellhousing. So now I have to get trans line ran and hooked up, trans temp guage hooked up, lockup vacuum switch wired, torque converter bolted back in, shifter hooked up, and probably a few other odds and ends. Hopefully get some work done today but have some other stuff going on. Thanks everyone for the help once again.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

Should be finishing this tomorrow and driving the car finally. I have a couple questions about the tci lockup kit hopefully someone could answer. First is will it hurt anything if I drive the car without the lockup switch installed first? I'd like to drive it without lock up and then with lockup so I can see / feel the difference. The other thing I don't understand is it says for more control run the 12v power wire through the brake switch to automatically turn the lockup off whenever braking. How does one go about doing this? I always thought that the brake switch completed a circuit to power the tails lights when the pedal is pressed. I would think thats the opposite of what I need to unlock the torque converter. Any help is greatly appreciated once again.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Would have to check to verify on your car, but GM often switches the grounds on stuff rather than the power. IE, hot wire always hot, switch completes the ground side of the circuit.