CRACKED TH350 Bellhousing!!!

[jess66chevy]

What do I do now? I was putting on the th350 and the bellhousing cracked! What do I do now? Is it still good?

[Captainfab]

Well it looks like you'll have to pull it back out and have someont weld it up for you. You apparently have something that isn't right......are you positive the torque converter is in all the way?

[jess66chevy]

Can it be welded without ruining the seals? I think I tried to bolt it on at an angle,

[Captainfab]

As long as the person welding it knows what they're doing.

Originally Posted by jess66chevy

Can it be welded without ruining the seals? I think I tried to bolt it on at an angle,

[sixfour4x4]

ouch....that metal is a bear to weld, but it shouldn't get your seals too hot as that metal will weld low. the issue i'd be concerned with, as far as your seals go, is that the imput shaft was most likely pushed in when you bolted the bellhousing up (due to improper tc installation), but i wish you luck in that area, and hope you can get someone to fix up that crack.

[MacAttack]

Did the identical thing - reference my thread: 283 rebuild begins.

My welder made it look like a piece of cake - but he did take his time prepping the aluminum and apparently knew what the hell he was doing. Took the repaired unit back to my tranny guy to pull the pump and make sure everything was okay. $100 at each shop for my foolishness (they didn't want that much, but I always take care of my vendors).

Mac.

[Eagar1]

You can probably get a core housing pretty cheap, and just swap all of the internals. Its alot cheaper than welding, its not so hard to do, just repace a few gaskets.

[bluesfella]

I had the same thing happen when I was installing my 700R4. I thought the torque converter was in all the way, but it wasn't.

Took it to a good welder, he made it look brand new in no time.

I had cracked the front pump, though...so I had it replaced. Definitely check that, like Macattack said.

[vin63]

Cut it off and go with a JW or ATI bellhousing. That's what I've done with several PowerGlides and TH350/400s with cracked bellhousings.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by vin63

Cut it off and go with a JW or ATI bellhousing. That's what I've done with several PowerGlides and TH350/400s with cracked bellhousings.

Hmmm...did not know you could do that with an auto....

I would just have it welded though.

Should be pretty cost effective.

[rookierodbuilder]

Another cool think about those aftermarket housings is that they are most often sfi approved and can handle a lot of power. So you might want to consider those if you plan on some serious racing action, but welding would probably be the cheapest way.

[jess66chevy]

So I took the trans out today and it looks like it cracked because i tried to bolt it on cock-eyed. Well I didnt bolt it in all the way so nothing appears to be damaged. When I heard it crack I just gave up for that day. Do I need to jack up the motor and jack up the transmission to it so it bolts up correctly and at a proper angle?

[ChiefRocka]

Usually, using a floor jack supporting the tranny you can get the dowels to line up. Push it up tight...then...start the bolts.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Hmmm...did not know you could do that with an auto....

I would just have it welded though.

Should be pretty cost effective.

Yep, that's what those bellhousings are made for...automatics. I currently have a JW on my TH400 and we ran an ATI on the PowerGlide in a Junior Fuel dragster. They're made to fit a trans that has the bellhousing cut back to the pump.

Welding that cracked cast aluminum housing is a temporary fix at best if there was enough stress to crack it the first time...just a word of caution if you go that route...might want to confirm what cracked it initially.

[MacAttack]

When I cracked mine, had it repaired and then got ready to retry - I put the engine down on a spare tire - supported by my hoist. I blocked the tranny on a wooden pallet and slid it up from behind - perfectly level (after I made damn sure the torque converter was all the way in!) and slid the TH350 in place, gradually and carefully hand wrenching the bolts in to place - after putting a bit of red Loc-Tite on the threads.

Hope this helps.

Mac.

[ruffrida2005]

I cracked one of the mounting ears off my T5 in my s10, I had it welded up for $30 and have not had a problem with it since. Been since june it happend! Since the weld wont have to be ground down make sure they leave the weld on the inside and outside, as long as it doesn't hit the TC your good to go!
the welder used 4043 on a Tig, beveled the edges. It was Cast Aluminum also.

[shortbed70]

As long as the cracks arent within 2 inches of the pump you'll be fine with welding.