yep low fluid, got nearly 5 more litres in

nice and smooth now, not registered yet so just putting up and down my street

goes alright once the secondary open up and it gets up in the revs a bit

That is definitely a symptom of low fluid -- although it could be something else, most commonly it is low fluid.

Yes, when you first run it, before moving, cycle through all the gear positions, including R, P and N, then check the fluid level. Only top it to the L mark.

Transmission fluid will go way up on the dipstick as it warms up. Do your final check after the engine has run for at least 15 minutes of driving. Be prepared to have to siphon some off. If it is too high it also can cause shifting problems.

Auto Trans fluid is always measured HOT -- good and hot after driving.

sounds to me like you have left the vacuum modulator hose disconnected?
If so third gear wont engage until you reach 85 kmph
Amazing that only 4 little bolts hold the torque converter to the flex plate eh!

If I remember rightly, you check & fill the trans with the engine running, handbrake on & in park.
Check, top up, & check again. When you think it's OK, select the various gears, one by one, then back into park & check again.
Repeat this untill the level stays put, & the car drives properly.

The running engine drives the pump & fills the torque converter, while selecting the gears causes oil to flow under pressure to the various servo's & clutches, purging them of air & replacing it with fluid. When all the air is gone & the dipstick says full, it should be good to go.

sounds like it needs more fluid

hey guys, some would have half an idea of my progress with the auto

i've had it in and out and up and down a few times now

the last problem... knocking noise from motor turned out to be a complete idiot act from me, i forgot to bolt the torque convertor to the ring gear, so it was flapping around in there...

anyway, got it all together again and running smoothly

but it takes ages to engage gears and someimes never gets in gear, the torque convertor was near empty when i put it on, though i filled the box with fluid

is this normal when you first put it together?

i couldnt take it for a drive yet as the brakes need bleeding (tommorows job)

i'm hoping if i check the fluid and have a bit of a drive the torque convertor will fill up and it should be good to go????????