'65 904 Torqueflite: No Start in "N", no forward or reverse.
The '65 Formula S had a transmission "rebuild" here in Mexico during the recent body restoration. After re-installing the engine/transmission, the vehicle sat for a few months. I could roll it in and out of the garage by placing the console shifter in "N" (neutral). When I installed the transmission, I pre-filled the torque convertor with one quart of Quaker State AFT 3.
More recently, I charged the battery. Then I filled the crankcase with oil (5 quarts) and added 7 more quarts of ATF. I noticed after having added the ATF, the vehicle would not move anymore in neutral. I went through all the gears a few times and after rocking the vehicle a little, it finally rolled. Weird.
I fired up the motor (without coolant) and let it run about 5 minutes. At first, I tried to start the motor in neutral, but the starter would not engage while the cable operated floor shift was in "N" (just nothing-like a dead battery). When I selected "P" (park) the starter motor and ignition switch worked fine.
The next day or so, I fired up the motor again and put the transmission in both reverse and forward gears. I felt no indication of any gears engaging, and neither would the vehicle move in any direction under its own power. And again, the starter will not crank when selecting "N".
Today I checked the terminal on the solenoid that serves as the neutral safety switch. With the ignition "off" or in the "run/on" position, no power. When the key is turned to "start", we have power.
The first questions I have are: Why won't the starter motor crank with gearshift in neutral? Why won't the vehicle move in "reverse" or "drive" or "2" or "1"? Thank you.
Photo is before restoration.
The '65 Formula S had a transmission "rebuild" here in Mexico during the recent body restoration. After re-installing the engine/transmission, the vehicle sat for a few months. I could roll it in and out of the garage by placing the console shifter in "N" (neutral). When I installed the transmission, I pre-filled the torque convertor with one quart of Quaker State AFT 3.
More recently, I charged the battery. Then I filled the crankcase with oil (5 quarts) and added 7 more quarts of ATF. I noticed after having added the ATF, the vehicle would not move anymore in neutral. I went through all the gears a few times and after rocking the vehicle a little, it finally rolled. Weird.
I fired up the motor (without coolant) and let it run about 5 minutes. At first, I tried to start the motor in neutral, but the starter would not engage while the cable operated floor shift was in "N" (just nothing-like a dead battery). When I selected "P" (park) the starter motor and ignition switch worked fine.
The next day or so, I fired up the motor again and put the transmission in both reverse and forward gears. I felt no indication of any gears engaging, and neither would the vehicle move in any direction under its own power. And again, the starter will not crank when selecting "N".
Today I checked the terminal on the solenoid that serves as the neutral safety switch. With the ignition "off" or in the "run/on" position, no power. When the key is turned to "start", we have power.
The first questions I have are: Why won't the starter motor crank with gearshift in neutral? Why won't the vehicle move in "reverse" or "drive" or "2" or "1"? Thank you.
Photo is before restoration.
