Transmission Problems

[76/85 Truck]

Sorry I haven't been on for awhile... Been trying to juggle school and work. My truck has always had a reverse problem... In the cold mornings it would take forever to engage in reverse. It would attempt to back up but then would slip. I didn't think anything of it.

So lately its been giving me Drive problems. It would engage in drive and I would go down the road about 2 blocks and it would act like it's in neutral and wouldn't move. Then it would kick in and I would be on my way. Well, wednesday morning it started to slip really bad when I was coming off a stoplight. I pulled over and checked the fluid and it stunk really bad and was black and burnt.

So I had my dad tow me home so I wouldn't damage it. (Because now it would hardly move forward, however I had reverse). And I changed the fluid and filter yesterday, but it still will not move. But now my reverse is working better than ever. Guess I'm going to have to get a new tranny. Has anyone had experience with junkyard trannys? I work at a junkyard, and we have a couple Turbo 350s over there. My boss said 200$ for the tranny and another couple hundred to put it in.
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[mooseknuckles]

If the fluid smells and its any colour but red, you should look for another tranny.

[83burban]

Turbo 350's are cheap to rebuild - you can find 800 dollar rebuilds all the time from respectable shops. Your going to spend at least 400 to get a junkyard transmission and not know its condition, or how long it will last.

If I were you, I would shop around the local shops to see who can rebuild one for you

[76/85 Truck]

Well I spent the day looking for cheap tranny jobs. My boss at the junkyard found a tranny he will sell me for 200$ and will put it in for around another 200$... He said he is going to check it to make sure it is good, and will guaranty it for me. So for 400$ I can get my truck going. And he can get it in tuesday morning and have it done by tuesday night. Hopefully the tranny is good.... I would like to put a Turbo 400 or something better in it but I need something quick... I don't think a 400 would bolt up to my transfer case. Would it...? Thanks!!
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[old Rusty C10]

i believe it would bolt up to the transfer case but you may have to move your trans crossmember and you would definately need different driveshaft lengths.. the junkyard way is the cheapest to go but i would be saving my pennies for a proper rebuild

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by 83burban

Turbo 350's are cheap to rebuild - you can find 800 dollar rebuilds all the time from respectable shops. Your going to spend at least 400 to get a junkyard transmission and not know its condition, or how long it will last.

If I were you, I would shop around the local shops to see who can rebuild one for you

I agree. $200 for a junk yard T-350 is not a good deal, especially if you work there. I can get them around here for under $60 and it will come with a 30 day warranty.

It will take you all of a couple hours to yank it out in a T-350 4x4. Not worth $200 to have it done for you. For the money you could buy a tranny jack and all the tools you need to do the job. This way you know how to do it the next time it fails and have the tools too.

If you take it out and bring it to them many trans shops will do a T-350 for just a few hours of labor plus the cost of parts. They are one of the simplest auto trans to rebuild and don't have any expensive parts that need replaced. The worst thing you may need is a new converter as it is difficult to get them clean after a trans failure. An RV converter shouldn't run you much over $100 for a T-350 / T-400.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by 76/85 Truck

.... I would like to put a Turbo 400 or something better in it but I need something quick... I don't think a 400 would bolt up to my transfer case. Would it...? Thanks!!
Posted via Mobile Device

No, a T-400 will not bolt up to the T-350 sized 27-spline NP-203 in your truck. You need a 32-spline transfer case and a T-400 adapter housing to match, driveshafts too as they are different lengths.

Just the cost of having your front driveshaft lengthened will break the bank so your best bet is a pull it yourself wrecking yard or Craig's List and find a whole matched set trans, transfer case, adapter housing and driveshafts if you want to convert from a T-350 to a T-400. I see them all the time where guys are parting out rusty or damaged trucks for somewhere around $300.

[bmchevy1979]

Yeah in my area I can get them a little cheaper I can get a SM465, NP205, and drive lines & cross member combo out of a 1 ton for around $350 (if only I had the cash)

[76/85 Truck]

Thanks for all the great responses! I called a couple of other shops around town and they said my clutches are probably fried. (I know nothing about automatic transmissions so I have no idea if that's possible)... One shop said 800 for a rebuild and to put it back in.

I figured 200$ for a junkyard tranny was too much but at least he will guaranty it. So far he is the cheapest in town. There's not many shops in town, because it is a pretty small town. I think I'm going to go with the junkyard tranny, but I'm gunna try to work him down to 150 at the most for the tranny...

Is there anything I can put in the junkyard tranny after it is in? Like an additive to re-new everything internally since it has been sitting for a bit?

Thanks for all your help..
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[4pilgrim4]

Originally Posted by 76/85 Truck

Thanks for all the great responses! I called a couple of other shops around town and they said my clutches are probably fried. (I know nothing about automatic transmissions so I have no idea if that's possible)... One shop said 800 for a rebuild and to put it back in.

I figured 200$ for a junkyard tranny was too much but at least he will guaranty it. So far he is the cheapest in town. There's not many shops in town, because it is a pretty small town. I think I'm going to go with the junkyard tranny, but I'm gunna try to work him down to 150 at the most for the tranny...

Is there anything I can put in the junkyard tranny after it is in? Like an additive to re-new everything internally since it has been sitting for a bit?

Thanks for all your help..
Posted via Mobile Device

Since you indicate that are interested in a lifetime career in the automotive field why don't you take advantage of this opportunity and rebuild it yourself? Clutch/seal kits and a rebuilt torque converters are very inexpensive for that unit. Removal and reinstallation is easiest in a pickup.

Then -- long term -- go to your state university and get your degree in a business related area such as economics or preferably business administration. This will prepare you for the time when you get tired of rebuilding Turbo 350s and would rather operate your own transmission shop hiring a bunch of guys to do the dirty work while you run the business. It will pay off royally.

Just a thought.