T400 help

[kwmech]

Being around GM products for just about 30 years now I am a little stumped. I picked up a 69 GMC that was a class B, now just a cab and chassis, and rated at 14k-- 350 engine and a turbo 400. The trans does not have a park gear nor does the column have a place for the shifter to lock into---R N D 2 1 . My question-- can I put the rods into the case and change the column? or do I have to replace the trans also. The local trans shops do not seem able to give me a firm yea or nea. Anyone

[Longhorn Man]

I have been told that this is just in the column, and that the tranny has a parking pawl.
However, the one guranteed way to find out, would be to disconnect the linkage, and see if you can find park on it.

[Cat Fuzz]

Not good to use the park feature on such a heavy truck. Might not hold it while loaded. Not having park forces you to use the parking brake.

[kwmech]

So you think that everything is in the trans? I guess I'll have to pull the pan and see. Hoping to find out before I start tearing everything apart so I know what I am up against.

[kwmech]

Originally posted by Cat Fuzz
Not good to use the park feature on such a heavy truck. Might not hold it while loaded. Not having park forces you to use the parking brake.

I realize that and know that is why GM did that on their trucks, but I am trying to find out what the difference is-- if any--in the transmissions.

[Clancy68]

i just got through rebuilding a th-400,

theres a way that you can tell by looking at the outside of the case if it will accept a parking assembly. i can describe it if you like, but unfortunatly i can't really get you a picture in a timely fashion. if the case does not accept a parking assembly, your outta luck if you want one in there. your options are either live with out it or get a new case, being a heavy duty truck it might be a th-475, it might be worth your while to get a new case because those 475's are even beefier than a 400, they have things like stright cut planetaries, and bigger shafts etc.

--Scott