ok guys i post this problem in the other thread about a possible worn flat tappet and got no response so i guess ill make a new thread on it

so i have a th400 w/ a transgo full manual valve body, new built to cam spec torque converter, 2400 stall. b4 installing the converter i put a quart of tranny fluid in. so a few weeks ago i tried to start the car for the first time, with a brand new built bbc 427, so b4 that i added 6 quarts into the tranny and then, was going to gradually add quart by quart while the car is running to the right level (as the builder of my torque converter reccomended), but the first start date i didnt get the car to run, so no fluid was added so just put the car in Neutral and we pushed it back into the garage, then saturday we got the car going for the first time, added quart by quart til the desired level, then after the 30 min start up/break-in of the cam i shut the car down and let it cool down for about 45 min. by the way flaming open headers right next to the trans shifter lever, so we were going to push the car back into the garage so i put it in neutral and the shifter felt too loose, so i pulled the shifter plate and saw that the car was vibrating so much it loosen the bolt the hold the horseshoe to the bracket that the cable attaches to, so i slap a bolt in the and that cable wont budge so i figured i would manually put the tranny into gear by moving the lever on the actual transmission under the car and that wont budge at all! i tried it with so force, jiggled it and nothing, wat can be the cause of this? does it have to do wit my converter? or did sumthing seize up fromt he heat/fire of the headers?

anybody?

My guess is the shifter cable, check to make sure you didn't get so hot that its now frozen...

Now that i see you tried manually shifting the linkage on the trans, i don't have a clue. I'm sure someone will chime in.
Cant Wait to hear that thing idling.

Trust us Damian, we're head-scratching. I was gonna say what Skip said. But didn't you try the linkage with the cable removed with no luck? Did it move before fire-up? And one thing: Vibration? Not good. Can you describe it? The video looked great. It seems to run smooth. Nice work! Vibration????
Well, then too, lotsa flame at the collector. Timing? Retarded? How did it idle?

your not running a trans brake are you?

ok guys i post this problem in the other thread about a possible worn flat tappet and got no response so i guess ill make a new thread on it

so i have a th400 w/ a transgo full manual valve body, new built to cam spec torque converter, 2400 stall. b4 installing the converter i put a quart of tranny fluid in. so a few weeks ago i tried to start the car for the first time, with a brand new built bbc 427, so b4 that i added 6 quarts into the tranny and then, was going to gradually add quart by quart while the car is running to the right level (as the builder of my torque converter reccomended), but the first start date i didnt get the car to run, so no fluid was added so just put the car in Neutral and we pushed it back into the garage, then saturday we got the car going for the first time, added quart by quart til the desired level, then after the 30 min start up/break-in of the cam i shut the car down and let it cool down for about 45 min. by the way flaming open headers right next to the trans shifter lever, so we were going to push the car back into the garage so i put it in neutral and the shifter felt too loose, so i pulled the shifter plate and saw that the car was vibrating so much it loosen the bolt the hold the horseshoe to the bracket that the cable attaches to, so i slap a bolt in the and that cable wont budge so i figured i would manually put the tranny into gear by moving the lever on the actual transmission under the car and that wont budge at all! i tried it with so force, jiggled it and nothing, wat can be the cause of this? does it have to do wit my converter? or did sumthing seize up fromt he heat/fire of the headers?

You might try jack stands at the rear of the car,letting some pressure off of the driveline to see if might help. It might in a bind.......kinda like when you park on a incline and it's difficult to shift out of park????????? Just a thought:confused::confused:.

You mentioned in your other thread that you have a 454 block with 427 crank, rods and pistons. Did you make sure that you are using the correct balancer and flex plate for the 427 crank? They are different - 454 is externally balanced, and has a counterweight on the balancer and flex plate. If you try to run this on a 427, it will rattle your teeth and eventually pound out your main bearings. Thought I would mention this just in case.

Along with Dave's suggestion of jackstands, mine is to disconnect the shift cable at the trans and run through the gears underneath using just the trans shift arm.

If trans goes through all the gears, then shifter needs adjustment. Placr trans in PARK, lever forward and place shifter in PARK. Cable eye should slip onto the trans arm, if not, loosen loicknut on shifter and adjust accordingly.

If you're using a PG shifter, you will not be able to manually go the 1st gear as PG detent plate will not allow it. Detent plate can be modified by removing the rivet and 1/4-20 bolt and nut, and remove material to allow 1st gear selection. If you're going to race with this shifter, now is the time to add the neutral lockout by adding an extra step to the plate. After modifying the plate, bolt it back with the original bolt and an extra bolt. Again, check adjustment.

Good luck.

Whats the status of this case?? Did you jack up the rear of the car and manually take the cable of the shift linkage and go through the gears ?? Will the lever move or is it stuck??

Since you said you already tried disconnecting the cable and manually shifting it, I would say something inside also shook loose. Drop the pan and take a look. Can't be related to the converter. That should be fine. Also make sure you didn't use the 454 flex plate or balancer. I had that problem before. It was a full time job retightening bolts on the entire car until I figured out what the problem was. The guy I bought the motor from gave me the wrong flex plate.

How long did you let it warm up? If they used grease/vasoline to hold the balls in place in the valve body, that grease has to melt before things will move and work for you, but you should still have reverse and 1st so prob not your problem but thought I should mention t just the same.

sorry i havent responded yet, been busy, lets see where to start:

vibrations, yes, my legs almost went to sleep it felt when i got up, after 10 min of holding the throttle since every1 was too scared to turn the idle screw haha, the vibration, nothing crazy was a very short sharpe vibration thoughout the whole process, and when we brought it to idle for a min, thats when it felt like the world was coming to an end haha, yea i was running rich but it was the only time that the car got running and holding. plugs are not melted but carbon fouled for sure,

yea i got its internally balanced so its got a 6 1/4 dampener and the flexplate is for a internally balanced engine, no counterweights.

no trans break,

everette, i already eliminated the possiblity of it being a shifter/cable issue by going under the car and messing wit the trans lever, wouldnt go, has a lil play in it but wont go, but i loved that idea for the neutral lockout, thanx oh and it pretty sure its not a PG shifter but ill check, i bought the whole th400 69 camaro conversion kit on craigslist from "wagon man" came with EVERYTHING haha so i kno it has to be legit haha

but im going to shower, eat, then give the jackstands a try, thanx for the input, ill updated u guys later tonight hopefully

If you can't shift it with the cable disconnected you will need to drop the pan. Does the in-car shifter function properly when unhooked from the transmission? If so, you have an internal problem.

If you can't shift it with the cable disconnected you will need to drop the pan. Does the in-car shifter function properly when unhooked from the transmission? If so, you have an internal problem.True, I agree. Trans shift lever should be able to move by hand.

UPDATE


alright guys, i played with it today for the first time since the start day, and figured out that it is the cable, when i went under the car the first time and tried to move the transmission lever manually by hand, i never disconnected the cable from the lever, because i didnt think that was stopping the lever, but i took the c-clip out that holds the cable inplace on the bracket, and yes! it moved freely, just seems like a little too freely, i had the rear lifted and put it in park (from under the car of course) and the rear wheels locked, and other gears the drive shaft and wheels move freely, is that normal for a car wit the rear lifted and engine not on? or does it work differently with the car on and wheels on the ground? sorry i never took the time to look at how a torque converter works....

If it is in Park, nothing should turn but in any other position the tires and driveline will turn.