My TH350 rebuild

[1977K10]

I got my rebuild Kit today for the starting of my rebuild
I am going to be rebuilding a TH350 3-Sp Transmission,
my last post was some questions I had as to try to pin point my first problem.
I got a lot of great responses and links to look at and that helped ALOT, I thank everyone that commented.

the initial start here is my manual I got from LMC truck for the transmission
and the box with all the "implied" parts so far, I have to dig in and make sure everything is there, which I most likely will do tomorrow, it looks like rain today.
then I can spend time getting my transmission going.

and Please as I post if you have comments or questions please ask or let me know, I would appreciate the feedback and if I can help others I would like that as well.

[1977K10]

After I opened that first box, I found that was for a THM400, so I called the parts place back and got the correct one.

[Nothinghead]

Awesome. I hope you have lots of detail. I may be giving this a try. What tools do you expect to need? Anything more that a typical socket set and standard wrench? I imagine a torque wrench. Anything special or out of the ordinary?

[3r!c84]

going to be watching this one. good luck. i hear there not that hard to do. just leave your self a big space and keep organized

[shawno72]

I'm in.

[bmchevy1979]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

going to be watching this one. good luck. i hear there not that hard to do. just leave your self a big space and keep organized

I have heard this to and been wanting to do it myself as well

[LUCKIN-FOU]

1977K10 did you get the Bushing kit and thrust washers? The reason I ask is alot of kits don't come with them you have to ask. There are a couple of tricks you can do that aren't in the book. I you need anything let me know

[1977K10]

I have pulled out my snap ring pliers, the tranny book says a few special tools in which I'll list when i get home from work tonight.
and oh yes as i get things taken apart and whatnot, i will be listing, and posting all i can.
if you want a close up of soething let me know and I'll take pics of the close ups and detail them as much as possible.
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[1977K10]

Originally Posted by Nothinghead

Awesome. I hope you have lots of detail. I may be giving this a try. What tools do you expect to need? Anything more that a typical socket set and standard wrench? I imagine a torque wrench. Anything special or out of the ordinary?

What my transmission manual states that I'll need:
GM tool listed numbers
J-3387-2 - Pump alignment tool
J-8059 Low reverse and forward clutch snap ring pliers
J-21359-A Pump seal installer
J-21366 Converter holding strap
J-21368 oil pump body and cover alignment tool
J-21426 Rear oil seal installer
J-22269-01 Intermediate servo piston and direct clutch, 2-3 accumulator
piston compressor
J-22976 Governor bore bushing service tool set
J-23069 Intermediate clutch 1-2 accumulator piston compressor
J-23129 Converter housing seal remover
J-23327 forward and low reverse clutch piston spring compressor
J-24466 Modulator testing tool
J-24675 Direct clutch 2-3 accumulator piston compressor
J-26507 Low-reverse clutch support remover
J-38119 Rear extension bushing remover and installer
---------------------------------------------------------------------
As of current I do not have the above listed tools, as I find them I will see if I can purchase them for my tool boxes in case I ever need them I'll have them.

[1977K10]

Originally Posted by LUCKIN-FOU

1977K10 did you get the Bushing kit and thrust washers? The reason I ask is alot of kits don't come with them you have to ask. There are a couple of tricks you can do that aren't in the book. I you need anything let me know

I don't kow at this point, I haven't opened the parts bags, and checked off what I do have yet, I will be doing this during the week before I go to work in the afternoon, if it doesn't come with it, I will be going to get it.
I was raised with the saying:
"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time."
I take that to heart with everything I do.
I really don't like half-a** work.
although if I do need something you can bet I'll reach out, this site has been a great help already, it's a good resource for all things chevy-gmc related.

[Nothinghead]

Wow, that is an extensive list of tools.

I look forward to the build.

[1977K10]

Yes it is, i know myself being a poor boy, wheee i cant afford the type of tools like that.
i do have alot of standard tools.
I have a large assortment of snap ring pliers, and three good sized tool boxes, i will be able to get the job going, until i need to locate and purchase these tools.
Which between 3 parts places, harbor freight tools, sears, snap on, and other tool retailers I'll be able to locate all the right tool.
I will list where i get the tools, the catalog numbers, and price (which may be different in each state, or country), and recomendations by the places i goto.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1977K10]

I just got back from walking to advanced auto parts and talked to the nice guys there, they looked at my list of tools, and said, that i may try looking at harbor freight tools.
So my beautiful wife being a good sport, agreed to head to westminster with me.
Love her to death.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Edahall]

I've also rebuilt several automatics myself. Make sure to take lots of pictures while you're taking it apart. It makes it a lot easier putting it back together. I also bought a DVD that showed step by step on how to put it back together. I had the computer on my workbench so I could watch it right where I needed. Anyways, good luck. I bet you'll be into it for less than even $250 and that's if you're replacing the torque converter.

[1977K10]

I don't know at this point if the torque converter needs to be replaced, I'll look it over eeal good once i get everything out, and if it looks loke it needs to be done, heck yea.
as of now, i know all of my jello like tranny mouns will be replaced.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1977K10]

just got back from Harbor freight tools in Westminster, Colo.
Talked to a really helpful guy named Brian, who races out at I-76 speedway in Fort Morgan, he said that he has a TH350 Long shaft in that truck and he gave me some good advice to locate tools required for this, but a bit cheaper, so I am going to look at Pep Boys and Tool King, to see if they have some of the other tools.

[1977K10]

So far everything needed to rebuild my tranny appears to be in my parts box, I was able to identify via my tech manual, and pictures, that everything that is needed is here and accounted for. the next bit is to start taking out bolts and dropping the trans, and getting it cleaned and prepped to open up and disassemble.

[1977K10]

Got the first "work" pics of my tranny.
1. right side of my transfer case
2. the left over gunk out of the trans pan
3. Torque Converter cover right side
4. Driver side of the trans pan
5. A guest Supervising me looking over my truck :-)

[shawno72]

Ask your guest to stay right there as you roll the truck back

[1977K10]

that was good, but I think it would have moved before the weight of the truck would have got him

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by 1977K10

that was good, but I think it would have moved before the weight of the truck would have got him

You never know he may have been from california

[1977K10]

yea, californicating us here, huh?

[sean1969c10]

You really will need a clutch spring compressor, that is the only speciality tool that you really need. You can use a .008" - .010" feeler gage to tuck in the lip seals. The snap ring that holds the sun shell is tough to get and I ended up customizing a set of snap ring pliers just for that job. Make sure you air check your clutches during assembly, so you can catch a problem before putting the truck all back together. Good luck, you will feel really good about yourself when you put it back in and it works just like it should.

[1977K10]

OK, thank you for letting me know, that will allow me to cut down on the extra tools needed, I do have feeler gauges, and such. I'll take a look around for that spring compressor.

Tomorrow (my day off from work) will allow me to get started on removing bolts and linkage to the transmission, and then the days I don't go in until later in the day like about 5-7 pm then I can do bits at a time to get the work done.
I didn't get to do much this weekend because Lakeside started our full week schedule, instead of just fri-sun. so the weekends will be least likely to post, but I will respond, during the week and days off I will be getting things done so I can take pictures and get them posted.

Thanks for following and the advice, comments, jokes, and responses from the start of the post and hopefully to the end of the post after I get done.

Shawn

[1977K10]

So far I have dropped my drive lines, and started the cleaning process
picture 5 shows that I have my marks on the transfer case from the front differential.
will be glad later that I did that.