Questions and Answers

Chevy Nova Transmission Q. On my 1970 Chevy Nova, I just installed a fresh rebuilt engine and transmission, 350 with a th-350. I did all the proper break in procedures, except the 500 mile break in due to my problem. I was turning a corner and slowly accelerating up a slight hill when my transmission seemed like it shifted into neutral.

I let off the gas and waited a few seconds and then tried to accelerate again. I started to move for about a second and the transmission shifted back into neutral. I pulled over and checked to see if the other gears were okay. I now have no gears, only park and five neutrals.

I checked the linkage because it is an aftermarket shifter, but that was okay. After I got the car home, I pulled the pan and found dark metal shavings coating the bottom of the pan. Everything on the transmission appeared to look okay. Just about everything in the transmission was new.

The torque converter was not new though. I was thinking it might be a bad torque converter or maybe the transmission pump went bad, but I'm not sure. It seems kind of weird for this to have happened because everything went together okay and this happened after 120 miles on a brand new motor and transmission. Please help me.

1970 Chevrolet Nova
350 4bbl.
Automatic transmission
120 miles
Carburetted

Thank You,
Jeff

A. Since you have no drive gears, I think the problem is in the pump or the little ears on the pump that the converter drives the pump with. Sounds like it needs to come out.