Installed new 2800 stall - whining when in neutral

Guys,
I finally got around to swapping the 4000 stall out of a '69 Nova that I just bought. I put in a 2800, but when all was bolted back up and we topped off the fluids and ran it through the gears a fairly loud metallic "whine" happens when in reverse. The other gears were all quiet. We decided to take it slowly around the block when we didn't see anything leaking, couldn't find anything we forgot, etc. It ran great and responded very well at driving speeds (unlike the 4000 race converter), but started making the sound in drive as we approached my driveway. I even thought that maybe the trans brake was the culprit, but it works fine.

Any thoughts? This was the last thing I expected to happen.

Thanks everyone...

check your fliud if low if not i have had two stalls do this when new they were bad and trash the trans

Thanks Pat. The fluid was very low at first. I'll check it again tonight to ensure that I topped it off.

The thought of going through this again so soon is giving me heartburn already...

yes it sounds low go thru all gears and then top it back off

As much as I hate to say it, the tranny is topped off with fluid and the sound remains in forward and reverse gears. I'll likely go out and check the flexplate for cracks tonight or tomorrow. Any other thoughts guys? I really hate the thought of pulling this thing after just putting it in on Saturday.

@##$^&*%#@!!...

Flexplate cracks usually knock, not whine. There isn't much in a converter that will whine. Did the trans pull up against the block good and tight? Sounds like a misalignment problem.

I guess I would classify it as a chirping sound and not a whine, but I'll take a look at the tranny alignment as well when I go out.

It's hard enough to troubleshoot over the web, so I guess it would help if I could at least describe the sound accurately!

Thanks for the help...

Yeah, if its a chirp not a steady whine it could be a cracked flexplate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by R Pope

Yeah, if its a chirp not a steady whine it could be a cracked flexplate.

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What else could cause a "chrip"? I have a TH350 with a new flexplate and get a slight chirp when i give it gas in reverse only. I thought it was in the transmission.

the converter slipping on the flex plate some makers use a slot hole .i drill them out for a 1/2 grade 8 fasteners i have seen them move so much that the converter is worn in to the fly wheel were it bolts up

i've had a chirping eat my tranny pump before, was caused by the input shaft not being properly seated on reinstall

Ouch! The input shaft did come loose during the install. I guess I'm pulling again to check things out.

If it were a flexplate issue, would it also chirp in Park and Neutral? Mine only seems to be making the sound when in forward or reverse gears.

Most common noise cause is front pump. Especially after a converter is removed. Could be shaft or converter alignment.

Thanks for the input everyone. This is my first experience with an automatic, and I'm already remembering the "gold old days" of my Muncie 4-speed. I guess after a few more weekends of work on this one I'll have it down too.

After reading all the posts and pretending I'm not as blind as my wife says I am, did I miss out on which tranny this is? I do doubt my sanity from day to day, but I can not find where in this thread he stated what the transmission was.............

Flex plate cracks make noise when the torque twists them, so the trans usually must be in gear.

Sorry Nitro - your eyes and sanity are fine (from our perspective). I never mentioned the tranny since it started as a converter swap from a 4000 stall to a 2800. I acquired a '69 Nova drag car that has a Powerglide with an input shaft that allows torque converters from a TH350 or TH400. Not sure why this was done (other than maybe the converters are less expensive), but I'm learning more and more about what it takes to convert a drag car to a "streetable" pro-street version every time I work on it. For instance, I found out this weekend that it has solid motor mounts AND a solid tranny mount. Provides a nice, comfortable ride...:whacked:

I still have the Powerglide input shaft and the first 8.5" 5000 stall converter in a box on the garage floor. Can't imagine needing that for any street use. The previous owner thought that installing a 4000 stall would make it more streetable. Go figure.

Thanks again everyone...

OK, if it's a 'Glide and the shaft came out a bit when you changed converters, the thrust washer inside can move out of place.

Got it. I'll check it out. I took the lazy road tonight and switched the alternator and put an aluminum radiator in. I guess now I'll have to buck-up and go back under the car...:CRY:

Well, the flexplate wasn't cracked, but I noticed when I unbolted the converter that the bolts passed freely through the flexplate, but the holes in the converter were so tight that the bolts needed to be threaded through. I took a wild guess that maybe the converter had been put into a bind when we were tightening things up. Sure enough, when I put it on the second time, being careful of the tight converter holes and the bolt fittings, the sound is gone now.

Thanks for all the input everyone. My 6-year old son thanks you as well - Since I don't have to work on the car today, I can take him to Martin Michigan for the NSCA Drags!

i'm glad you got it.... a misalligned torque converter can eat a transmission very fast, i'm glad yours still works and that you figured out what was wrong

Thought I would add one more update to this post. Don't EVER believe the salesman when he says the street/strip 2800 TQ converter will handle a tranny brake. The sounds at launch (on a residential street) can make your spine tingle - never mind all the fluid and sheet metal that goes flying.

Don't ask me how I know...:CRY: