My TH350 rebuild

[deth_1970]

with that being said about heat, heat and heat transfer are a transmissions worse enemies,
too much heat and the clutches burn up, blacken and slip, the fluid loses its ability to absorb and disapate heat,

most of the time, a transmission produces less heat then the engine, but the transmission is cooled by the radiator, (in a closed system), to me the addition of a trans cooler would help the trans run cooler, fluid last longer, and also add about a quart of extra fluid to the system,

and in typing this something else came to mind which hasn't been talked about yet, flushing the transmission cooler in the radiator, alot of what you seen in the pan, is in the cooler, so without flushing it would send it directly into a fresh rebuild

just some food for though from some of my experiences

[1977K10]

Deth 1970:
thats so true I will be flushing my full system before everything gets back together, just so no crap gets back into the system and tears things up beyond repair again.

[O'larry]

I am new to the site and have been watching your rebuild I am in Lakewood Co. so I know how hot is has been havn't been getting much done on mine either. I have a 77 k10 with a rebuilt 350 but need to rebuild one for my 62 cant wait to see your progress

[1977K10]

well thank you for joining the club here, and reading my thread, I hope I can be of some help to you as much as the guys have been a help to me.

I have gotten all my linkage disconnected, and found the last owner didn't leave me very many bolts to have to undo in order to get the trans off, but just a big grease mess and alot of missing things. I am guessing this is one reason when I get her going on the highway that she had a herd time maintaining oil pressure and levels, so after the trans is complete , I will be checking out the motor for anything wrong there...
I love working with my hands and seeing a completed project come together.
Friday I should have a spring compressor from O'Riely Auto about Federal and 38th. get it paid for by either saturday or sunday and get to taking out the clutch packs by monday, then I can post alot of photos.

[1977K10]

This set of pics:
1. I cleaned the u-bolts and nuts, and washers
2. I cleaned the trans end of the rear drive line

All together I have cleaned re-greased, and re-assembled 6 u-joint grease cups
and 1 by 1 put each needle bearing back in feeling and giving a visual inspection to make sure there is no shelling, flat spots, pieces or anything that would tear up the grease cup.
I was given this link a while back, and I looked it over real good and read it, and when I get to the drive lines to put them back together, I will be using these pieces to replace the "weak links"

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...oke/index.html


so far I haven't found any worn parts on the drive train other than the transmission.

[1977K10]

A man named Doc helped me balance and remove the transmission and transfer case today...

[1977K10]

SO my Target for today was hit, got the transmission out.
next is going to be separating, the transmission and the transfer case.
then take the transmission to a hot bath at a car wash.

As we got the transmission out I did notice that the seal around the pump was leaking, and I have the dipstick that is known to be the cause of leaks, so I made sure to order a new gasket for the motor oil pan, and started looking around under the truck to see what other seals, bushings, and such are going to be replaced due to having been in contact with the trans fluid... all going to be replaced.

now the fun starts, unbolting and initial disassemble of the forward pump and pump housing, Friday is payday so I can get my clutch compressor an start on the clutches hopefully by Monday. I know I am going to clean and do a "CSI" style check of the case, and housing .
I know I haven't had any problems with my transfer case, but while it is out, I will check it out for anything that may be a future problem, and take care of it now too.

[1977K10]

I have startedtaking things apart, so i can get to the rear of the trans.
i did take pictures, which I'll upload after i get off work.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1977K10]

Sorry it took me a few days to get these up, it's been a hot, long weekend at work.
1. shows how the transfer case gears are set for when I am ready to put
the shifter back on.
2. Shows the first piece I took off in order to get to the bolts between
the transmission and the transfer case
3. The modulator has been removed, and the hold down "fork" was replaced
there is a new modulator in the rebuild kit.
4. I had removed the inlet and outlet for the inter-cooler, and cleaned them

[1977K10]

I have located the elusive clutch spring compressor.
I am not going back to O'Reilly Auto, the store off of 38th and Federal.
they really didn't impress me to much, I was told the tool I was looking for would be in on this last Friday, when my wife went to pick it up, they didn't have it, didn't know what I ordered, so no more for them.
I did locate it on Ebay, and got that as well as a complete set (6) bolts to remount the transmission to the engine block, so I know now I have a full set for when I am done I can put it back the way its supposed to be, and not half-a**ed.
I also found on Ebay a store called BPParts right here in Colorado off 62nd and North Washington they have a full line of trans parts for all kinds of vehicles.
finally a place in Colorado... WOW..lol

[beamn7]

When you flush the cooler, be sure to backflush it. I.E. opposite way the fluid normally flows. If you are going to add an external cooler (which I highly recommend) look at a Tru-Cool LPD pressure drop cooler.
http://www.bulkpart.com/2/category/tru-cool-lpd.html

[1977K10]

Oh, yea I fully plannes on adding one maybe two trans coolers, I did priceone at advanced auto parts. I will take a look at the link when i get home, you guys have had some great idwas for upgrades and good repairs that i can add as I get to rebuilding. Some I am working in as I go along.
Keep the good ideas coming i am reading them as i go
Posted via Mobile Device

[1977K10]

Originally Posted by beamn7

When you flush the cooler, be sure to backflush it. I.E. opposite way the fluid normally flows. If you are going to add an external cooler (which I highly recommend) look at a Tru-Cool LPD pressure drop cooler.
http://www.bulkpart.com/2/category/tru-cool-lpd.html

I checked out the link you sent me and that looks like a pretty good deal for a trans-cooler, I will be looking more seriously when I get to that point, so I will save this link.
Thanks

[beamn7]

Here is something good as well: LubeGard. Now I'm not much of a believer in the "snake oil" junk but when I was building transmissions, a buddy of mine that owned a transmission parts wholesale company turned me on to it. I researched it and it made sense. My test was to drive the truck home from work without the additive, reach under and touch the pan. HOT! Pour the additive in and drive to work the next day, reach under and touch the pan, warm but not burn your hand hot. That in itself sold me and I have been using / recommending it ever since. This was on my 85 with a 700R4 I had overhauled.

Food for thought....
http://www.lubegard.com/LXE.aspx

[1977K10]

I just read that link, and this stuff sounds real good, I may give that a try, I would have to research it a bit more to weight the pros and cons. but If there is something that helps keep the trans alive for the life of the car/truck then I think it sounds like it might be a real good experiment.
thank you very much for this

[1977K10]

I just gave this Lube Guard a call for a catalog. From what I am seeing online here it looks like something I would try. I'll let you know how it goes.

[rs72z]

We use to put a bottle in every trans that we built. It will help free up sticking valves in the valve body also.

[1977K10]

sorry for the delay in posting, its been a long hot weekend, I know I don't live anywhere near the fire zones, but really been hoping that those guys get a break.
I am now waiting on the clutch spring compressor to arrive as well as a set of 6 bolts for remounting. Today I will be going to look at a pair of slide hammers for removing my trans pump, and unbolting it today, then I will start with rebuilding the parts that I get out first. as I do that, I will make sure to get more pics so I can upload them as well.
I have looked over the trans case and transfer case and haven't seen anything that would make me uneasy about reusing them.
pics coming later today......

[rs72z]

You cam use a big screw driver to pop the pump out. Just go in through the valve vosyside of the case, you can see the back side of the pump, of will pop right out.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1977K10]

thanks, I was going by what my book was stating, I'll get out a screwdriver and get that going.

[1977K10]

Alrighty...
cracked open the tranny today, as I unbolted the valve body the pump dropped out no problem at all, didn't have to pry anything.

1. finally the elusive tool arrives -clutch spring compressor-
2. the first opened knuckle of the project, I was unbolting the transfer case
front drive line cover to drain the 80-90 gear oil, and opened myself up to.
3. looking at the rear of the trans, at the output line.
4. looking at the valve body
5. looking closer at the valve body.

[1977K10]

6. trans pump inside
7. pump from the side
8. straight on view of the input shaft directly into the trans

[1977K10]

Some more pictures from this afternoon

[Pop's C-10]

I;ll be watching this one..i'd love to build one..or a 2004r.

[1977K10]

It's been a year in progress, but it is finally getting done, I got the forward clutch pack together, and replaced the friction rings in the intermediate, but now I have got to a hang up point, as I attempted to put back together the intermediate clutch pack, the spring base isn't going in like it should, and that is not allowing me to get the lock rings back in, so I took the night off, and going to back to it in the morning or before I have to go back to work by about 5p friday.