Hardly to no creep at idle

[Novette_71]

enough wrenching, today my nova saw daylight .....damn time after 11 years full resto.

up to now i just drove a bit forward and reverse to see if i have any flaws. i recognized when i put it in reverse or drive that i have no creep ....

i let my engine idle a bit higher the trans engages softly like a manual clutch and the car moves. i am not having a small converter, it is a TCI street fighter just as it came in a package.

it is a 402 small block with a not too aggressive mechanical hydraulic roller cam and i have bigger 215 dart heads. the engine just sounds great like a race car but since the braking makes a poor performance impression on those 30 feet back and forth i believe the vaccum in just too low.

the vaccum line from the trans is conncted to the manifold directly.

hmm, so any thoughts ?

do i ruin my trans right now because some pressure is not building up properly in the trans and my brake bands slip all the time ?? anyone having the same situation ?

thanks ...



(i am still lacking the cowl and some minor moldings i know i know .... hope you like it anyways)

[hotroddr]

Sounds to me like you are just low on transmission fluid. Have you already checked the fluid level? My car leaks transmission fluid like crazy and whenever I let it sit too long it acts the same way because of the low fluid level.

[Novette_71]

hmm.

i am assuming i put the right dipstick in (aftermarket) and i put plenty of oil in .... then again it was a brand new trans so the empty converter alone will take alot.

my plan :

- measure vacuum because TCI says i must have 12 inches minium

- purchased an aluminum can already so i am prepared when pressure is too low

- check converter number to see whats the advertised stall ist

- check fluid level


one of this actions should help me understand.

[camcojb]

sure acts like low fluid level to me.

[Novette_71]

so i measured the vaccum with 12 inch at idle, it goes to 16 if i touch the gas slightly. this is why there is creep and engagement when i hit the throttle.

when i put 15 inch with a brake bleeder hand pump and i hold it there the trans had no creep as well. i pumped it up to 20 inches and the trans had creep. i go from N to R or D and the RPM drops immediately.

so it is the vaccum.

the funny thing is that now that i put 20 inches on with the pump it even works with the 12 inches from the intake. the trans rested a long time (years) before installation, i dunno maybe thats why something "stuck".

but since the brakes are poor at 12 inch the vac can will be installed anyways, good to know my fluid level should be fine and there is nothing wrong with the trans.

[GregWeld]

Sounds to me like you have a higher than normal stall converter.... and the reason you're not seeing "creeping" is because that is exactly what a higher stall converter is meant to do - it's higher stall speed allows the motor to rev quicker to get into it's torque band before the 'load' of the transmission hits.

The TCI Streetfighter converter is rated at 3000 rpm stall behind a small block. That's a good thing. Even though it's a little higher than I'd choose for a street car that is "mildly" cammed.... it's going to act exactly like you describe!

The one thing I would advise with a higher stall converter - is to add cooling capacity. Heat in a tranny is the killer... so at the very least you should have a tranny temp gauge.... and keep an eye on it. If it starts running up north of 200* you'd better add cooling if you don't already have it.

Also - you only check trans fluid when HOT..... but even cold it should be registering on the dipstick. Over full can blow seals. A quart low wouldn't even be noticeable in the trans operation.