How to remove a th400 the correct way?

I found this possible replacement th-400 longtail in a 73 electra at the yard. It even had the keys still in it, so I could feel the different settings engage, everything felt fine, except between 1-2, where it wasn't as ditinct. How would you get it out of there, in the smartest way? Which bolts would you remove first and last, how much does it weigh etc. I saw that the exhaust system is in the way, do you always have to cut it, or? I got myself one of those floor jacks that reaches 20 inches, should be ok, if I put a wheel under it, but how much does the tranny weigh, I want to be able to manouver it down on a tarp, and drag it out or similar. Also, does it get damaged if it rests on the pan? Where can you get the little plate that holds the transmission on the jack from? I asked someone at the yard, and he said I could take anything that would make a good plate. It was not available at pep boys. Would it be easier to just have the original rebuilt? I don't mind getting my hands dirty, and wrestle with this thing for a few hours, but I want to know if it worth it, and if it is at all possible to get it out, without damaging it, or dropping it on my toes.

Any other suggestions?

Many thanks

 

I'd have yours rebuilt. Oughta be able to get a good rebuild for around $500-700, with a transgo kit included.

You'll very likely have to rebuild a junkyard one, unless you *know* that it was fine when it came in, and it hasn't sat for a couple of years in the yard.

At least you know the history of your tranny.

 

That is true, but a junk yard one is 78$ including core charge. I just moved it today, and it lost reverse. I really have to rev it to get it to move at all going backwards. Problem is, it's a 500$ car, and it makes me feel less interested in dumping 5-700$ on a rebuild. I also bumped into one of those snap-on trucks, and they said a transmission plate for a jack runs 120$. Yikes.. I'll call around a bit to see what kind of a price I could get on having it rebuilt. If I could just get the damn papers for it, so I could at least register it. Then I could do what ever with it.. I also need to park it somewhere while I'm off to Sweden for a month during Christmas. I don't think a transmission shop would like to keep it around for longer than necessary.

 

I confused (what's new?)...which one lost reverse, your existing one? What car is the $500 one, the wrecking yard one - surely not your Centurion...

Prolly a silly question, but you've checked the fluid level, yes? Low fluid usually shows first with no reverse.

 

HA HA HA... Got you there I guess...

Ten days ago, I bought a 73 Riviera for 500$. The transmission is slipping in it, and last time I moved it, it lost reverse.

I found a 1973 Electra at the yard, and the price for the transmission would be 78$, including the core charge.

I was thinking about taking the transmission at the yard from the electra, and put it in my Riviera, but it seems too tricky, so I'm contemplating to have it rebuilt instead. But first I would have to eliminate the possibilities of something simple being wrong. I replaced the broken vacuum line from the intake manifold to the transmission, but to no help.

The fluid level is too high, could it be so that a fluid level that's too high could cause this kind of problem? I haven's siphoned it out, as Larry suggested I should do (and I will), as soon as I clear up some more time for it.

I also thought that the vacuum wasn't as strong from the intake manifold on the Riviera, as it was on the centurion, could that cause it to slip like that, no..?

Thanks for the help, sorry for the confusion.. First time for me in the world of transmissions.

 

When I first got it, it would shudder and shake in reverse. The car would also only drive in first gear, and try to upshift, but it would just sneeze and make a clink noise, which made you back off and just let it roll. The funny thing is that the guy at the shop where I got it from was really convinced it hadn't done that when they got it in. He was especially sure it shifted strong in all forward gears. I can't believe someone would stand there and convincingly lie to you when you have already been paid.
I saw that the vacuum line was off at the transmission and replaced that. Then it wouldn't try to upshift at all, but just continue to rev, and since that I haven't really had a chance to take another look at it. And last time I drove it today, reverse dissapeared.

* * *

I called around a bit on rebuilds, and I was quoted 550$ including parts and labour. It also came with a 18 months/ 18.000 miles warranty. It shouldn't take more than three days they said. So that's a candidate as soon as I've eliminated the possibilities of something simple being wrong with it.
AAMCO of course wanted 1100$ + parts.. mmoaaaahaaaaa....

 

Looks highly interesting.... Hmmmmmmm

The glory and cash saving of doing it yourself....

 

OK, now I'm with you! ou:

I'd take the Riv (slowly, it sounds) to a good tranny shop and have them lower the fluid level and take a look at it - line pressures, etc. Oughta run you maybe $75, but then you'll know what's up with it.

If it's dead/dying, then do you have any idea what shape the Electra tranny is in, or are you betting $78 and a Saturday that it's ok? Heck, if you think it's good and you have the time, go for it!

Me, I'm too paranoid :grin: - I'd feel obligated to rebuild it before going to the trouble of installing it and having it maybe need to be taken back out.

 

The problem is that since the car doesn't have reverse anymore, I can't get it in behind the house, or get it out for that matter. Then it is the trouble taking up the only garage spot for a weekend, maybe more. What if something goes wrong, then the car would be stuck behind there.. Yikes.. If i had a house with a driveway that was straight in, I'd just put it in there and start working on it, but a lot of my work is done out on the street, all depending on who's home or not taking up parking spaces, so I can manouver it back out again. I

 

Rebuild it yourself

The th 400 is a very easy trans to rebuild. I did the one in my gmc one ton three years ago. The book on how to doit is $30. The rebuild kit is between $100 - $200 depending on the type of kit. The book show you how to make the one special tool that you need. It will take about 5-6 hours to rebuild it once you get it out of the car. Read the book 3-4 times before you start. If you have a trans-star dealer in your area they have everything you need. The learning experiance is priceless and you can tell your friends "I did it myself". Just make sure you replace the bands that do not come in the kit. Keep in mind kepp everything as clean as possible. Good luck.

PS: make sure you have a 3/8 12 point socket for the valve body and a good torque wrench.

 

A th-400 is about 150-200 pounds I think

So for removing the junkyard trans:

Is the motor attached? If so remove the motor and trans together then remove the trans from the motor.

If the motor is already gone then just remove the mounting bolt on the trany to cross member and pull it out the engine compartment. Or remove the crossmember and drop it straight down.

BE CAREFULL