Anyone ever done this?

[Steve Cole]

Install a torque converter in a tranny without adding trans fluid to it first? I believe I did, but it's been a few years so I don't remember. 4l60e tranny. I have the tranny and engine installed and it occurred to me that maybe I didn't add fluid to the converter before I installed it. Looking on YouTube, it is about 50/50 for those putting fluid in it first. Has anyone NOT added fluid first, and not had issues because of it? I really don't want to pull the tranny if I don't have to. Looking for reassurance that everything will be okay.
Thanks!

[BigRandy]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

Install a torque converter in a tranny without adding trans fluid to it first? I believe I did, but it's been a few years so I don't remember. 4l60e tranny. I have the tranny and engine installed and it occurred to me that maybe I didn't add fluid to the converter before I installed it. Looking on YouTube, it is about 50/50 for those putting fluid in it first. Has anyone NOT added fluid first, and not had issues because of it? I really don't want to pull the tranny if I don't have to. Looking for reassurance that everything will be okay.
Thanks!

This probably won't help but I was watching one of those reality hot rod shows on TV a few years ago and someone forgot to add fluid to the converter. Once the engine fired up they proceeded to breat in the cam and then top off the fluids. The truck never moved and when they pulled the tranny back out the converter was trashed, and as they were scratching their heads someone asked if it went together dry. The guy responsible spoke up and said he didn't add any ATF because he didn't think it was necessary. The rest all said they always added ATF during assembly but nobody could agree if the failure was caused by a bad converter or because it was dry on start up.

This copied from Jeg's:
Add one quart of Dexron II (or equivalent) into the torque converter, apply a
light film of the transmission fluid to the pump drive hub and lube the front pump seal. This will also pre-lube the bearings and bushings.

I wouldn't risk it. I know it's a hassle but it would give you peace of mind to check it out.

[cadillac_al]

I have heard you don't have to but I always do anyway. I do think it gets filed up fairly quickly. I could never bring myself to put a dry TC into a dry pump seal. I can see breaking in a cam with the trans low on fluid could cause problems; especially a th350.

[jjzepplin]

You could just slide the trans back a bit and use a pump to fill up the TC as much as you can. I always pre lube anything that uses lubrication. Never put it in dry folks.

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

You could just slide the trans back a bit and use a pump to fill up the TC as much as you can. I always pre lube anything that uses lubrication. Never put it in dry folks.

how you going to pump fluid in ?

the convertor needs to be out of the trans .

[jjzepplin]

Yeah best to just take it out. I have a differential / manual trans pump around for just such an occasion.

[SunSoaked]

Depending on your environment, you may have a bigger issue. Here in the SW, seals and gaskets dry out without fluid on them. When it's fired up, the seals tear and your "brand new rebuild" is puking fluid.

[Pontiac1976]

The T/q converter hold 4-6 liters on average.
If you blow up the trans oil pump you have to tear down the whole trans to clean all the metal oil out because shot all throw the trans just to get to the $50.oo pump to replace it.
(make sure your T/q sitting flush all the way in. Because it will blow the oil pump in the trans once turn the key.) Never use the bell bolt to pull the T/Q together engine. (if the bolt do not go in pretty smooth crack on one side tighten. do not man hand handle the T/Q not all the way in.) there like three clicks when all the spline line up.