Expert: Robert Summers - 9/24/2008

Question
I have installed a chevy small block and TH350 in my 54 chevy. Everything seemed to work fine.When I looded the car on to a trailer I noticed a trans fluid leak from the  shift down linkage hole. I ran the car down off the trailer and back to the garage. The fluid level did not show on the stick. I drove the car up my driveway and it started to slip very bad. I assumed because it was low on fluid. Now after filling with fluid, the foward gears do not waork at all, the reverse seems fine. What have I messed up? Will the transmission need to be removed for repairs ?
Thanks for any info
Neal

Answer
Hi Neal... check that the trans is really full... if it is run it for a while without moving till trans is warm....check level again then try going thru the gears and see if trans engauges in each gear...if it was really low you may have an air lock in the trans....if after a bit it still won't move check the pressure off the trans cooling lines. you will need to know what year the trans is as you will need that to get fluid pressure table....if pressure is low you may have took out the pump or seals....the trans would need to come out if thats the case.... hope this helps