Classic/Antique Car Repair: automatic transmission, 1966 pontiac tempest, torque converter

Question
1966 Pontiac tempest, ST300 auto. trans. I rebuilt, with master rebuild kit, had manual to work with, after rebuild transmission fluid does not seem to be pumped out of trans. pan, with engine ideling and checking fluid on dip stick fluid is way up on stick does not seem to be pumped out to new torque converter. Car will not move forward or reverse. does pump need primed?? or torque converter need to be filled with fluid before install?? maybe a vapor block???

Answer
This seems to indicate the pump is not turning, or else the pump inlet is blocked - probably an assembly error.  I assume you followed the initial fill instructions by putting a partial fill in first, then starting the engine to pump oil into the converter, then adding the remainder of the fluid to top it up with the engine idling.

If you simply put the whole specified quantity of fluid into the transmission before starting the engine, it may have upset the check valve so that the pump won't suck up the fluid and push it into the converter.

I'm not really sure what would happen in that case, but it is possible that would cause the problem you're having.  If this is what you did, drain enough fluid out of the transmission so that the dipstick shows "full", then start the engine and with the engine idling, add the rest of the fluid back in.  If this doesn't fix it, I think you are going to have to check your work.

Did you have any trouble fitting the converter back into the drive gear at the front of the transmission?  If so, it is possible that the converter isn't turning the pump drive gear.   When you installed the converter, did it seem to go all the way into the transmission to the same location as it had before you took it apart?  If it didn't go in as far, that could cause this problem (the pump drive isn't engaged).

I am not an expert on these transmissions, so I'm a bit over my head here - so if your  problem doesn't yield to the above suggestions, I think you'd best ask another expert - or perhaps post it to a forum on the web - someone will be able to help you more than I can.

Sorry I'm not more knowledgeable about these units.

Dick