New engine, now wont go over 25MPH

[StryctNy9e]

1993 ford explorer XLT 4x4 atomatic. I did a engine swap the last two days.
Engine went in smooth and I took it out for the first test drive last night and the truck didnt want to go over 25 mph. I didnt get a exact rpm reading I just know it wasent right because I could hear the engine reving and no reaction. I tryed to punch it a couple times to get some pick up but nothing. My main concern is if somthing is wrong with the torque converter. Just to let you know I have done several engine swaps hondas (manuals) and my chevy (automatic). So I have been around the block but this is my first ford swap.I dont know a whole lot about these trannys so it is holding me back.

My main concern is if the torque converter is not on all the way or if a sensor is jacked, or if I messed up a tranny pump without realizing it. Or whatever advise you want to give that would be of help.

First off I made sure I seated the torque converter all the way on the tranny shaft. I have done it before but I made sure to consult my chiltons to make sure. Is there a specific place the flat spots on the torque converter shaft should have been when I put it on( horizontal or vertical)? I made sure to check the fluid levle and its good. A friend said it could be a air bubble in there if so how can I check or get it out? How can I tell if I damaged the pump or if the pump is working?

I hope I didnt damage the pump. I dont mind pulling the tranny to fix the problem I just want to get it fixed. It really sucks that I got the engine in and want to test it out and I cant because I f**ked up somewhere along the line. PLEASE HELP any advise is appreciated.

 

[TonkaRanger3.0]

there are 2 flat spots inside and obviously they have to be seated. you prolly know this already but it should make a metallic ting if the TC is seated right. to work air bubbles out put rear end up on jack stand and let run for 30 mins. so i was told

 

[StryctNy9e]

thanks I will do that tomarrow and when I seated the Torque Converter I did hear the mattalic ting, forgot to mention that.

 

[TonkaRanger3.0]

it fixed my old chevy 6.2 diesel and my 2000 3.0 ranger i mean its worth a shot

 

[StryctNy9e]

Yea definetly im gonna see what it does.

I forgot to mention engine is running hot, dont think it makes a difference for the torque converter but I have a new thermostat and will change that tommarow as well.

 

[TonkaRanger3.0]

is it running hot enough that the hood is hot? if so check the coolant level cuz my truck will get so hot you cant touch the hood but it doesnt over heat. your coolant level may be low

 

[StryctNy9e]

I ran the truck, checked coolant levle after the water pump was running, filled it up. I will check coolant level tommarow after I get her started and try to drain the possible air out of torque converter. The hood was not that hot I was able to open and close without noticing. On temp gauge the needle was at L in normal.

 

[TonkaRanger3.0]

check it b4 you start it and see how far down it is.
do you have an aftermarket trans cooler?
has the truck been over heated before?
if so it has also over heated the trans because the cooler lines run through the radiator.

 

[StryctNy9e]

I will. It is a used motor 75,000 miles and in excellent condition.

 

[TonkaRanger3.0]

every ford truck ive owned seemed to magically make coolant disappear it doesnt leak and i kno for sure the head gaskets are fine

 

[StryctNy9e]

No leaks tranny/oil/collant. Wondering how I can tell if the torque converter is properly seated while the motor and tranny are still together? May be if I detach te TC from the flex plate I will be able to tell from the play in the TC or the gap between the TC and the flex plate?

 

[TonkaRanger3.0]

was the any slop in the TC when you put it in trans?

 

[StryctNy9e]

No you could feel it bump on the tranny shaft splines as you turn it. That is the mattalic ting and I think that means its seated all the way from my experience.

 

[shucker1]

If the torque converter were not fully seated I don't think you would be able to turn the engine over by hand. It would have the crankshaft jammed to the thrust bearing.

Remove the torque converter bolts from the flywheel, you should be able to move the torque converter forward and aft about 1\16 to 1\8 inch. It should also be able to rotate just a little bit on the studs where it connects to the flywheel.

Did you check transmission fluid? How was it before you changed out the engine?

 

[StryctNy9e]

trans fluid was good, No strawberry milksnake, I had changed the fluid 10,000 miles ago. I lost a little when I puled out the torque converter but re filled it when I put it all back together.

 

[shucker1]

Stawberry would only indicate coolant leak from radiator cooler into transmission cooler inside the radiator.

I've never heard of air in the converter, however...

Transmission pump discharges to converter and valve body so it should always be under positive pressure when the engine is running.

Have you tried manually changing gears and not using just "D" on the selector.

It could help isolate the problem.

 

[Turdle]

Emergency brake set?

Which year was the donor engine from, and, did you use your stock harness? Are you double sure all connectors-especially the ones near the alternator are connected?

Are you sure the transmission kick down isn't binding?

How about the vacuum lines-re check the vacuum line for the modulator at both ends to be sure it is snug

About the overheating---

Did you raise the radiator cap higher than the heater core by jacking up the front of the truck to burp the coolant? These are very difficult to burp completely you know--sometimes it takes several start-cool down cycles to get all the air burped from the cooling system.

 

[StryctNy9e]

The donor was a 1993 limited, same year as mine. The ony difference was the donor had a EGR so I took off the manifold and wiring harness and replaced with mine. My truck is at a friends because I cant work on it at my apartment complex, so I am gathering information and making a check list for tommarow. I will double check all vacume/sensors. I will burp the motor also and check kickdown. Didnt even think of it last night. I was a little down because my truck wasnt running right after all the work I put into it and figured I would give myself a day to get my head straight and gater information.

 

[StryctNy9e]

No I have not tried to manually switch gears but I will tommarow. Thanks for all the advise.

 

[shucker1]

Good luck we'll be here.