I finally put two-and-two together and figured out that the trans from the ’82 Caprice is a lock-up converter model TH350C. It has a different input shaft and a special lock-up valve body red arrows. Something I will have to test out. If it works OK I will keep this trans when I swap back the original engine. So now to find the parts needed to hook up the lock-up and have it automatically cut in and out 🙂
I was very fortunate in that the Caprice is still available and I was able to find and remove two important components for the lock-up torque converter. The item on the left is a vacuum switch and the round thingy on the right is a vacuum delay switch which stops the transmission from rapidly going in and out of lock-up. There is only one wire coming from the trans so I’m not sure where the extra output wire is supposed to be connected to. More Googling to find that out as I don’t have the wiring diagram for an ’82 Caprice.
I found an open spot on the firewall and got the vacuum switch and the delay mounted. The harness from the Caprice has two wires exiting from the vacuum switch. I’m not sure what the second if for so I’m leaving it wrapped up until I see how the lock-up works.
One of the problems with the last test drive was a very loud whirring noise from the engine that got louder as the rpm increased. I’m thinking it is the flex fan which surprises me since I have used them in the past and they have tended to reduce noise. Anyway I’m going to install the old fan and see if that makes a difference. I’ve cleaned it up a bit, but I’m not sure that the fan clutch is working OK. It does have some resistance, but there was signs of oil on the shaft.
Next: the next test drive will show if the fan and lock-up works and if there are any other bugs needing attention before it is ready for the next driving season.