transmission problems

[1998XLT]

We just finished installing a new motor in my 1998 Ford ranger, when we started it up we noticed a noise, kinda like a knocking noise, and noticed it was coming from the transmission. I have an automatic in my truck. We took off the little plate to see if it was a loose bolt on the torque converter but nothing is loose. We tried to put it in gear and it won't go into gear. the shifter moves and the lever on the transmission does too. But the tires won't move at all. please help, I haven't been able to drive my truck in months and I don't like it just sitting here.

 

[RonD]

I think you broke the Front Pump(main pump) in the transmission

With pretty much any automatic the torque converter needs to be installed on the trans shaft and then spun around a few times while you push it towards the trans, you will feel it go in a little and click, it may need to do this 3 times on some automatics, in/click, in/click, in/click
That's the torque converter's drive notches locking into the front pump.

If this isn't done then when you bolt the trans to the block and tighten it up the torque converter snaps off the front pump drive as it slide into the trans, so no front pump and no trans pressure, which equals no go in any gear.

 

[1998XLT]

Thank you, I'm gonna go talk to a transmission shop tomorrow and hope he can fix it when we have it rebuilt.