Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1956 olds hydramatic, torque converter, valve body

Question
my question is about my '56 hydramatic.i got told it was rebuilt about 15 years but the car was sitting since then.to make a long story short,if the car is on stands and in gear the wheel won't turn unless i rev up the engine very high or give the wheel a push.then it will turn and the tranny shift's into the next gear.with the car on ground there is no movement at all.and reverse is not working.the levers are correct adjusted,the oillevel in park is a bit over the full mark,in drive at the add mark.removing the pan only showed a spotless inside.the tranny sat for the whole 15 years without oil in it.
any ideas?
thanks
rainer

Answer
I can only guess what is going on, but my guess is that the check valve is stuck not allowing oil to get to the front pump and/or the torque converter.   If you are not comfortable taking the valve body down to clean things up and check for this or anything else that may be stuck, you will have to take it to a transmission rebuilder and have them check it out.

There is a remote possibility that things would free up if you towed the car at about 25 miles an hour, with the gear selector in drive.  This transmission has a rear pump, and doing that will circulate oil if the rear pump is OK - that could possibly loosen things up to where the front pump would get oil.   This is only a chance - but it might be worth a try.

Dick