Thread: Installed new 2800 stall - whining when in neutral

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Flex plate cracks make noise when the torque twists them, so the trans usually must be in gear.

Sorry Nitro - your eyes and sanity are fine (from our perspective). I never mentioned the tranny since it started as a converter swap from a 4000 stall to a 2800. I acquired a '69 Nova drag car that has a Powerglide with an input shaft that allows torque converters from a TH350 or TH400. Not sure why this was done (other than maybe the converters are less expensive), but I'm learning more and more about what it takes to convert a drag car to a "streetable" pro-street version every time I work on it. For instance, I found out this weekend that it has solid motor mounts AND a solid tranny mount. Provides a nice, comfortable ride...

I still have the Powerglide input shaft and the first 8.5" 5000 stall converter in a box on the garage floor. Can't imagine needing that for any street use. The previous owner thought that installing a 4000 stall would make it more streetable. Go figure.

Thanks again everyone...

OK, if it's a 'Glide and the shaft came out a bit when you changed converters, the thrust washer inside can move out of place.

Got it. I'll check it out. I took the lazy road tonight and switched the alternator and put an aluminum radiator in. I guess now I'll have to buck-up and go back under the car...

Well, the flexplate wasn't cracked, but I noticed when I unbolted the converter that the bolts passed freely through the flexplate, but the holes in the converter were so tight that the bolts needed to be threaded through. I took a wild guess that maybe the converter had been put into a bind when we were tightening things up. Sure enough, when I put it on the second time, being careful of the tight converter holes and the bolt fittings, the sound is gone now.

Thanks for all the input everyone. My 6-year old son thanks you as well - Since I don't have to work on the car today, I can take him to Martin Michigan for the NSCA Drags!

i'm glad you got it.... a misalligned torque converter can eat a transmission very fast, i'm glad yours still works and that you figured out what was wrong

Thought I would add one more update to this post. Don't EVER believe the salesman when he says the street/strip 2800 TQ converter will handle a tranny brake. The sounds at launch (on a residential street) can make your spine tingle - never mind all the fluid and sheet metal that goes flying.

Don't ask me how I know...