I've been reading some of the tranny posts and from listening to some of you, (jake in particular), you act like rebuilding an auto tranny is like changing underwear. I have a bunch of auto trannies laying around and thought I might try to rebuild one myself. The problem is, as far as I'm concerned, auto trannies are pretty much VooDoo. I haven't a clue how they work and the one I took apart spewed snap rings and detent balls all over the place. Needless to say, I was totally intimidated. How would I best go about learning how to do this myself? I don't even know what parts I would need or what to look for as far as damaged peices. I have two spare TH400s, three TH350s, a C6, and an 85 700R4. Which of these would be a good "learner" tranny? What books should I buy? Should I even consider doing this? Will the gods be angry? The reason I have so many spare trannies laying around is cause I'm affraid to rebuild them myself. It was always easier to obtain a working replacement. Ok tranny guys, how best for me to overcome my fear of the auto?

Tough question. Many variables.

First, pick a working transmission. IMHO, a TH350 would be a good start.

For my first rebuild on a TH350, I bought a B&M Transpak (has all the gaskets, clutch plates, and various hardware parts). The B&M kit has a good set of directions too. Most difficult part is getting the 1st/reverse piston out of the trans housing (last part out/first part in). It requires a special tool but I used small C-clamps to do it. There aren't any special hand tools other that. BUT to have a five clutch pack trans, you'll to have access to a lathe to cut the pistons so that it would be a five element clutch transmission (there are 3, 5, and 5 element trans depending on what engine it was behind) OR buy them from a trans shop (assuming the one you take apart is less than five element). BTW, this transmission is over 15 years old, run in 3 cars and is now in a Gen II Camaro 406 SBC with fogger NOS pushing over 450 wheel HP.

It's always good to have someone who has had suceeded in rebuilding trans help you.

Cardinal

I personally think the TH400 is the EASIEST to rebuild.
TH350 is a close second.
C6 is about the same as either. Maybe even easier than a TH350.

Do the 700 later after you have done a TH350 or two....

Get the HP books TH400 book, and an ATSG manual.
The TH400 requires no fancy tools.
A clutch return spring compressor would be good but not necessary.

The worm passages on the VB intimidate everybody.

forget them, you really don't have to know what the passages do. Some poor engineer had to figure all that out.

The main drive is simple. Basically a few cltuch drums, some planetaries, and a few thrust washers...

get the book, tear down a TH400 or Th350 then fire away with the questions...

Thanks guys, that will give me a start. I think I'll start with the 350 as it will be the least expensive to screw up.

i did the same thing.i asked my neighbor about it and said th350 is easy then he threw me a video on how to do it.said he bout it and never watched it.i watched it(boring)then just rebuilt it put it in and it worked great.got about 50k of hard abuse out of it.oh and i used a cheap napa rebuild kit on it with a tci shift kit.eric

------------------
efi the only way to fly

my best friends dad worked at the plant that built them for gm, and he helped me do my first one, I'm still not sure I want to do it again though. A good digital camera will help just take pics before taking anything apart, and you'll have a reference how it should look

------------------
Yahoo messenger ID archemedes74 feel free to add me
Give blood play hockey!

Pretend you are doing surgery. Keep everything, (work surface, parts, case, hands) super clean. A parts washer is a must.
I've taken a white trash bag ripped open and taped it to the area of my bench where I'm laying parts. As each part comes out, I lay them out in order and write notes with a sharpie on my white plastic work surface.
Maybe overkill, but a rebuild is a lot of work and I hate doing it twice.