CLASS RACER FORUM - Turbo 400 Question

CLASS RACER FORUM (https://classracer.com/classforum/index.php)

- Stock and Super Stock Tech (https://classracer.com/classforum/forumdisplay.php?f=4)

- - Turbo 400 Question (https://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=61236)

Turbo 400 Question

Im putting together a Street Car and it has a 400 Turbo Trans in it.It takes about 20 seconds to go in gear.Once engaged it shifts fine.I pulled the pan off last night and the filter was slapping around.After some research,they say its suppose to be that way.I also seen where a guy put a spring on the shaft where it mounts to tighten it up from slapping around.Any suggestions about this and could that cause the trans not to engage right away.

Re: Turbo 400 Question

Usual causes:

Low fluid
Clogged filter
Air leak at either end of the filter tube
Excessive converter drain back
Hard lip seals

A spring to hold the filter down against the head of the filter bolt won't hurt, but it is not necessary.

Re: Turbo 400 Question

It does leak thru the seal.I did talk to a guy who suggested seal conditioner from GM.

Re: Turbo 400 Question

Seal conditioner is useless. It just swells the seals temporarily. You can do that with a pint of DOT 3 brake fluid. It will probably do nothing at all. It may just hasten the need for an overhaul.

The lip seals I referred to are inside.

Warm the car up to operating temperature, get it to move, then put it in park on a level surface and check the fluid level, make sure that the fluid level is right on the "full hot" mark. Then let the car sit for a day or two. Check the fluid before you start it. Then start the car and immediately check the fluid level. Note the differences.

Re: Turbo 400 Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich (Post 495485)

Seal conditioner is useless. It just swells the seals temporarily. You can do that with a pint of DOT 3 brake fluid. It will probably do nothing at all. It may just hasten the need for an overhaul.
The lip seals I referred to are inside.
Warm the car up to operating temperature, get it to move, then put it in park on a level surface and check the fluid level, make sure that the fluid level is right on the "full hot" mark. Then let the car sit for a day or two. Check the fluid before you start it. Then start the car and immediately check the fluid level. Note the differences.

Alan is correct, lip seals are probaly old and hardened up, causing a ton of oil pressure leakage. Time for a rebuild. I presume you did change the oil filter when you removed the pan as the stock style filter is easily clogged? If it's clogged, you'll hear a "screaming" noise when you start the engine caused by the pump and converter starving for fluid.

Re: Turbo 400 Question

Replaced the Filter and New Fluid and still is lagging going into gear.Looks like a Rebuild is in order.Thanks Guys for the info..

Re: Turbo 400 Question

Make sure your linkage is adjusted correctly, it needs to be on the drive stop, when the shifter is in drive .

Re: Turbo 400 Question

A very common issue with a Turbo 400 or any other automatic with a gear pump is worn gears and crescent. Do not overlook the condition of the pump when doing a freshen up. The pump is designed for the life of the vehicle but when line pressure is increased from a shift kit, manual valve body or trans brake there is much more strain and hydraulic side loading causing wear. The worst case scenario is a street driven vehicle.