[chris88iroc]

Just bought a 1988 IROC-Z with a 350TPI swapped in place of a 305. It has a 700R4 that supposedly has a shift kit, and a 'chip'.

Anyway, so the transmission apparently wouldnt shift through gears, although in 'park', the rear end does lock. When shifted into reverse, the reverse lights do come on. (not sure if that's relevant or not)

The guy said he had a mechanic come up and check the car out and the guy said it was most likely the torque converter. He said they dropped the pan, checked the fluid and there was no metal in the fluid. (I wasn't there, so I'm not sure if I believe that)

Anyway, so I put the car up on jackstands to get ready to check the trans and figured I'd at least turn the car on and shift through gears, etc.

In 'D', the wheels just sat idle-- no movement at all. When I blipped the throttle, the wheels spin slightly. Odd.

In 'R', the wheels just sat idle-- no movement, again. When I blipped the throttle, the wheels spun again, however, they spun forwards, not backwards. Even more odd.

Anyway, if I had to guess, I'd assume I have a grenaded trans, but I'm hoping that it's another issue. I know this isn't much to go on, but any ideas would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

[richard stewart 3rd]

Hi,
Well the good part is you already have it on jack stands, it's now time to get the tools out, then the trans out for a rebuild
& a converter (I think it's dumb to rebuild w/out a new TQ) don't forget to flush the cooling lines & radiator cooler & do yourself another favor & get an after market cooler also.
Rich

[chris88iroc]

Thanks for the advice. So it does sound like a trans issue? I'm hoping it isn't something wrong with the rear end or anything like that..

[Overdriv]

Double check the shift linkage.

Not having Park, doesn't mean it has a bad torque convertor.

[chris88iroc]

I never said it had an issue with park? In Park, the car is fine.. wheels dont spin. The issue is that when the car is on the ground, it doesnt move in ANY gear. I mean. in neutral I can push it.. but it just doesnt go anywhere on its own. The issue IS that when the car is up on jackstands and I put it in D, the wheels spin slowly FORWARDS but only when I give it gas.. i.e., not while idling. When in Reverse, the wheels spin slowly FORWARDS as well.. not BACKWARDS like they should.. and again, they dont spin while idling, only when I hit the throttle.

[Overdriv]

I re-read your post, and it sounds like either a bad converter or you have no/low line pressure. I would check the line pressure. If it's within spec, there is something broken in the trans. Either way it's going to have to come out.