Trans problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pat · 04-01-2008, 06:16 AM

I recently put in a new, or supposed to have been rebuilt, tranny in my Jimmy.
It was working fine for about a week. On my way to an interview, driving into about 30 mph wind, I suddenly see a cloud of smoke behind me and nothing else. All my tranny fluid dumped out in 10 seconds. I havent looked at it too close yet, but Im thinking it may be coming out of the base of the dipstick. I remember when I put the tranny in I was having problems getting it to go down all the way. So I just put some silicone on the base and it didnt leak. Is it possible that the dipstick got pushed out some somehow and the fluid all leaked from there? Or did something else really bad happen?

mhicks · 04-01-2008, 06:28 AM

I don't know what tranny you have but I had that happen on a Monte Carlo and it was the vaccuum diaprahm on the tranny.

bowtiecb · 04-01-2008, 06:31 AM

or the overflow/venttube on top of the trans

pat · 04-01-2008, 06:36 AM

Its a 700r4
Ill check those

James McClure · 04-01-2008, 09:59 PM

Pat, did all the fluid go out in a rush and the pan is empty? The 700 was famous for blowing the converter seal right out of it's bore. GM came up with a retainer that went over the seal to hold it in and it does work quite well. If the rebuilder left it off or didn't get it installed correctly this may be your problem. The filler tube won't empty the trans nor will the vent. A broken cooler line will but it won't happen real quickly. If that front seal blows out the trans will empty in seconds flat. jim

pat · 04-01-2008, 11:20 PM

I havent checked to see if the pan is empty, but it did blow out a whole lot of fluid in probly less than 10 seconds, enough dumped out where the trans wouldnt move the truck anymore.
Whats it take to fix it? A new converter seal and a retainer?

pat · 04-01-2008, 11:28 PM

I dont know if it matters, but I couldnt get the old torque converter off the flywheel. It seemed like one of the bolts was welded in place, and of course, as hard as I tried to move it, I just stripped it. So I left the old torque converter on, took off the old tranny that was slipping, and put on the new one.
One more thing if it matters, the old tranny had some wiring on the inside above the oil pan. The rebuilt one has the plug for the wiring harness, but no wires inside.

James McClure · 04-02-2008, 01:18 AM

Pat: OK, you have got some work in front of you. First, get the old torque converter out of there even if it means replacing the flex plate. Replace the front seal and the retainer, get the parts from GM. The front pump on the 700 is rather delicate, you might have damaged it replacing the trans the way you did so after replacing the seal and reinstalling the trans you might find you have to replace it again. Not an easy or cheap lesson. As far as the wireing goes. If it worked ok till it blew up you don't have to worry about it. The trans without the wireing is pre computer control and doesen't need it. jim

pat · 04-02-2008, 03:36 AM

Crap.

Thanks for the help James and everybody. At least I have my 67 to drive. Its proving more reliable than my daily driver.

04-01-2008, 06:16 AM	#1
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Trans problems I recently put in a new, or supposed to have been rebuilt, tranny in my Jimmy. It was working fine for about a week. On my way to an interview, driving into about 30 mph wind, I suddenly see a cloud of smoke behind me and nothing else. All my tranny fluid dumped out in 10 seconds. I havent looked at it too close yet, but Im thinking it may be coming out of the base of the dipstick. I remember when I put the tranny in I was having problems getting it to go down all the way. So I just put some silicone on the base and it didnt leak. Is it possible that the dipstick got pushed out some somehow and the fluid all leaked from there? Or did something else really bad happen? __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

04-01-2008, 06:28 AM	#2
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: Trans problems I don't know what tranny you have but I had that happen on a Monte Carlo and it was the vaccuum diaprahm on the tranny.

04-01-2008, 06:31 AM	#3
bowtiecb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: alabama Posts: 79	Re: Trans problems or the overflow/venttube on top of the trans

04-01-2008, 06:36 AM	#4
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Trans problems Its a 700r4 Ill check those __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

04-01-2008, 09:59 PM	#5
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Trans problems Pat, did all the fluid go out in a rush and the pan is empty? The 700 was famous for blowing the converter seal right out of it's bore. GM came up with a retainer that went over the seal to hold it in and it does work quite well. If the rebuilder left it off or didn't get it installed correctly this may be your problem. The filler tube won't empty the trans nor will the vent. A broken cooler line will but it won't happen real quickly. If that front seal blows out the trans will empty in seconds flat. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

04-01-2008, 11:20 PM	#6
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Trans problems I havent checked to see if the pan is empty, but it did blow out a whole lot of fluid in probly less than 10 seconds, enough dumped out where the trans wouldnt move the truck anymore. Whats it take to fix it? A new converter seal and a retainer? __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Last edited by pat; 04-01-2008 at 11:21 PM.

04-01-2008, 11:28 PM	#7
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Trans problems I dont know if it matters, but I couldnt get the old torque converter off the flywheel. It seemed like one of the bolts was welded in place, and of course, as hard as I tried to move it, I just stripped it. So I left the old torque converter on, took off the old tranny that was slipping, and put on the new one. One more thing if it matters, the old tranny had some wiring on the inside above the oil pan. The rebuilt one has the plug for the wiring harness, but no wires inside. __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

04-02-2008, 01:18 AM	#8
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Trans problems Pat: OK, you have got some work in front of you. First, get the old torque converter out of there even if it means replacing the flex plate. Replace the front seal and the retainer, get the parts from GM. The front pump on the 700 is rather delicate, you might have damaged it replacing the trans the way you did so after replacing the seal and reinstalling the trans you might find you have to replace it again. Not an easy or cheap lesson. As far as the wireing goes. If it worked ok till it blew up you don't have to worry about it. The trans without the wireing is pre computer control and doesen't need it. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

04-02-2008, 03:36 AM	#9
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Trans problems Crap. Thanks for the help James and everybody. At least I have my 67 to drive. Its proving more reliable than my daily driver. __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille



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