[getlost4x4]

So long story short, we bought a 1994 RRC LWB that had a crack in the transmission from the BW case locking up and the front driveshaft exploded and took out the transmission. The old transmission still worked, but had a crack in it and kept leaking fluid.

So we bought a 1987 RRC (80K miles) with an LT230 to swap in the 1994. Transmission was fine transfercase was good. We took it out and then installed everything into our 1994.

Last week we attempted to drive it. We forgot to refill the torque converter, , and when we went to try to drive it, it moved a little, but then stopped working. I drained the transmission and started to change the filter thinking some crude may have clogged it up when we were moving it around and installing it. Maybe it sucked up the crude and kept it from working.

I really don't want to pull this "new" transmission. I can't figure out what would keep it from working. I've read lots of posts saying the torque converter should be able to suck up fluid and start working even if I didn't fill it up. There should have been some residual fluid in there anyway. The inside of the transmission is very clean. The pan didn't have any major deposits, it was very clean in there as well. The old fluid looked good and didn't smell burnt at all.

Does anyone have any ideas, I've searched the forum and done a lot of reading. I've seen a transmission on a Rover that didn't work unless it was abused horribly.

 

[95classiclwb]

hard to say unless you have testing equipment, have you checked if the trans oil pump is working?
something I have seen a few times, upon install the torque converter moves or is not properly engaged. this causes the oil pump gears to break thus your concern. the TC should be turned and pushed until it locks, you can feel the drag when it finally engages on the OP
if the pump works you may low on oil.
should have taken between 7 and 9 qts upon initial fill.

good luck.

 

[JS5D]

Is it not that the oil pump is driven by the outputshaft or something? So maybe you need to get some motion in it to 'prime' the converter.

To check the oil level there is certain routine shifting to ensure the oil is all correct in all parts of the box. Maybe you need to play with that.

 

[95classiclwb]

Is it not that the oil pump is driven by the outputshaft or something? So maybe you need to get some motion in it to 'prime' the converter.

To check the oil level there is certain routine shifting to ensure the oil is all correct in all parts of the box. Maybe you need to play with that.

it is a bit more than that, but basically the pump has two notches in addition to splined drives. it is these fingers which can break and fail.

 

[Mikieman]

When you started the transmission
Did you do the process of putting it it drive
Then reverse several times to get the fluid
Flowing