deltanephew

Finally got my recently acquired 1983 Delta 88 engine swap completed, and began doing road testing.
For context the car is equipped with the 200R4, forgot to get pic of the tag on it when I was under it.
The first time I tried reverse the car did not react at all. Just sat there in neutral basically. I got the car hot like running temperature and checked the fluid.
It was bone dry. I added 2-3 quarts and some Lucas transmission slip stop just for kicks til the level was right. The car did pull into reverse but with a bit of a groan to it.
This past week I hit a couple of tire shops to get some fresh ones on it and the car did fine but the moment I went to leave to take the car home, no reverse at all.
I did a filter and fluid change and no change, car still starts, runs drives, stops etc but will not go in reverse.
The transmission pan yielded quite a bit of lil metal swirlies in the fluid along with something that looked like a piece of a paper gasket?
Not being a transmission specialist I am not sure what to think. My brother had suggested inspecting the shift linkage as if perhaps there is a bad bushing in there, or it may need adjusted?
Really trying to troubleshoot everything I can before just buying a transmission, any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I am also curious if there are any other plug and play options for the transmission that would be perhaps more reliable or easier to get (turbo 350 etc.) where I wouldn't have to change the driveshaft or mess with the little 3 wire harness that goes into the current transmission.

thank you everyone!

illumined

I'm not an expert either but from everything I've read metal in pans always means a rebuild. That's a sign it's tearing itself apart internally, possible either because of low fluid or just age/wear. As for your other transmission swap options, the best fit would depend on what your swapped the engine with, generally transmissions were meant to be paired with certain types of engine.

deltanephew

Honestly I had kinda come to the same conclusion that its shot. I swapped the engine with the same type that was in it, the 5.0 307 stock engine from a 1981 Delta 88. I was hoping I could get it swapped with something more current/reliable like a turbo 350?
If it comes down to it I guess Ill just get it rebuilt. I appreciate the input very much

illumined

A more current version of the TH350? I'm not sure because that pre-dates the 200-R4 so I'm not sure if a more current version exists. With the 200R4 the benefit to getting it rebuilt is fuel economy, which was the main selling point of the 307 to begin with. The TH350 doesn't have a lockup torque converter as far as I know.

deltanephew

I am of the same mind on that, I have found someone locally who claims they can rebuild it so hopefully that manifests soon. I will be sticking with the 200r4 for sure. I appreciate your input on this thread thank you : )