Just installed AOD, making whining noise, need help w/ diag

[71swb302]

I just got finished swapping my 360/c6 for a 351w/AOD setup. Got everything installed, checked the fluids, started her up.
Was making a high pitched whining sound, which I assumed was coming from the PS pump. turned motor off, topped off pump.
Started back up and turned wheels, noise seemed to dissapear after turning wheels back and forth, let it run for a minute and
noise started back then motor stalled out and died. Thought power steering pump had locked so I pulled the belt and it turned over freely. Started motor back up without belt and noise was still present, motor stalled after about 30sec. Checked tranny fluid and noticed I was about 3 quarts low, topped her off and noise went away until next time I started motor, seems to vary with engine rpm, quieter in R than D or neutral.

Transmission was used out of 91 f150, got it from a junkyard from a guy that I do alot of bussiness with, he said it was pulled from driving truck, not sure how long it sat, had to add total of 7-8 quarts to it.

I'm fairly certain noise is coming from front pump on tranny. I did notice before I installed it had a little
squeek to it when rotating TC by hand, but thought that was because it was low on fluid. Unit does rotate when put
in gear, dont have d/s hooked up yet, just yoke. I have NOT dropped the pan yet to see if filter is clogged, but that will
be my next step.

My Main questions are....

Is it possible pump could have been damaged from idling unit with 3qts low?

If I pull the pan to change the filter and there is no gunk in pan, is it pretty easy to change the pump?

Thanks in advance... I'm dying to get this thing back on the road

[71swb302]

Well, talked to a tranny shop. I'm going to do a pan drop and see whats in there, fluid didn't smell burnt. If all that's good and a new filter doesn't take care of it, looks like I might have to rebuild it.

[chad67]

Tranny noises a hard to diagnose without hearing them in person. As far as changing the pump...you have to drop the transmission, pull out the torque converter, and take out the bolts you find behind the converter which hold the pump housing in. Pull the pump housing out (best to have the tranny input pointing up when you do this). Flip the pump housing over and the bolts around the hub in the middle hold the pump in.

[71swb302]

Thanks. I just got home and dropped the pan. Little dirty but no metal. Just looked like normal clutch wear. Put 4 qts in and started up. Same noise. Sounds like belt squeeking. Checked level. Didn't drop. I'm sure takes more than 4qts in pan. I'm going to pull lines at radiator and see if anything there. Is there anything else like not pushing torque converter in? It clicked twice but tranny guy said three times? No problems bolting up. It does it in idle and all gears. Will turn shaft. Haven't put it under load. Looking more and more like pump or restriction.

[chad67]

I would think you would have quite a bit of trouble bolting the tranny up if the converter wasn't seated correctly. Will the truck move? I know it takes a little bit to get all the air out of the system-I like to drive around the block and recheck the fluid level.

[71swb302]

I'm having my driveshaft cut down. Had an extra yolk I used as a plug. It rotates fine. I just dont want to damage anything. I'm going to get a pressure gauge and check it. If its good then ill try driving. Just trying to go over everything I can before pulling tranny. Thanks Joe

[chad67]

Duh on me! Looked back at your original post and saw about the driveshaft. I've never run one without a shaft in before. Not sure if it would cause any noise or not, but I wouldn't think so. I just looked in my Haynes techbook and other than double checking your converter bolts and your linkage adjustment-it's most likely internal. Do you have your speedometer hooked up, and does the needle move when you put it in gear? If I had to open it up, and the pump gears look good-I'd just rebuild.

[71swb302]

I normally wouldnt run it without one either. I unhooked the cooler lines, getting good flow through radiator. Speedo moves in gear. Pulled inspection cover. Nothing appears to be rubbing or loose. Best way I can describe noise is a serpentine tensioner going out. It is very pronounced. I can hear it over open exhuast thats dumping at crossmember right now (havent finished welding it all up yet). The noise is more noticeable on pass side. Doesn't make it while cranking. Will go away for a few seconds every now and then come back. It varies with rpm in every gear. Best I can describe it. Tranny appears to be fine otherwise without doing road test.

Never had a torque converter go out so I don't know what to expect with that.
Noise sounds amplified by bell housing. Would think pump would be muffled but could be wrong?

Thanks for all the help so far

[chad67]

Could be your starter not disengaging-that will make a heck of a noise and sound a lot like what you describe.

[71swb302]

I understand what your saying, but how would I check that?

[chad67]

Pull the starter and see if the gear is retracting of if it is stuck out. Also listen and feel while loosening the starter as the starter gear may retract when you loosen the bolts.

[Donnie]

Like someone else said "a noise is the most difficult to diagnose W / O hearing it..
A couple of questions: is the linkage connected from the carb to the trans? Remember, this is pressure control, NOT A KICKDOWN ROD LIKE THE C4 & C6 USE...........The adjustment of this rod or cable (depending on year) is VERY critical.. It is the throttle pressure control rod & must travel with the carb at idle to the wide open position...Where the kickdown rod on c4&c6 is only active at WOT...wide open throttle
When you installed the unit & the bell was bolted tight to the block, You should have been able to wiggle the studs in their holes & pull the conv. in & out at least 1/8th of an inch....Was this done & OK?
Were the dowel pins in the block protruding enough to align the two units? Check this.
Does it sound like a power steering pump whine ===as in low fluid level?
Are you sure that you have the correct dipstick? If not, loosen the pan bolts & be sure that the fluid level is up to the case. I.E., pan full?
there are other tests, but w/o a drive shaft connected, not possible...
Do you have this noise in park & neutral also? or only in gear...........all gear positions? That one is difficult without a drive line.
You either have a pump whine, a bearing noise or something rubbing ....you are probably going to have to get it movable to get a better insight on what is happening.. Read over again what I have suggested & ask any thing that you don't understand...I check in pretty often.
I have some items (not car) up for sale now & have been busy answering questions..been MIA a couple days...HTH..........Donnie

[71swb302]

I pulled starter and wasn't engaged when I removed it. I'm not ready to rule it out though. Would make sense if it is sticking, I took a lousy video with the sound it was making, maybe this will help....

[STROKER69]

I noticed that it was a1991 ford that your tans. came out of. I bought a 1991 Cougar with 10,000 miles on it from a dealer and shortly there after there was a winning sound from the trans. and come to find out there was a recall on the on the o.d. part of the trans. Not as loud as you are hearing but I say if left w/o a repair it would have gotten louder. Hope this is not your problem.

[71swb302]

I hope its not too. Think I'm going to bite the bullet and pull the trans. Hopefully its just something rubbing on inspection cover, but I would think it would do it while cranking too....