I am contemplating rebuilding my tranny myself. I recall having seen some sage words on this, but can't dredge anything up from the archives. Anyway, I have noted the number of problems folks have had from having the "local guy" do the rebuild, so I realize this is not a run-of-the-mill task. However, I have done a number of transmissions in the past, so I "think" I can do this. Specifically, I have redone the following automatics: 1965 Chevy Powerglide; 1968 Borg-Warner M-11; 1972 Ford C-4; 1965 ST-400 (Buick TH-400); 1963 Twin Turbine (Dynaflow); and the following manual boxes: 1962 Saginaw 4-speed (Corvair Spyder), 1968 Borg-Warner Super T-10, 1973 ZF (Mercedes-Benz). All of these were done rather slowly (and, I would like to think, meticulously) and all worked successfully (except the Powerglide, which I had to do twice. But hey, I was 15 at the time!) So, I have a bit of experience. Also, I have read the shop manual overhaul procedure, and haven't seen anything (other than the need to buy/make a few tools) that appears to be out of the ordinary.
I'd be lying if I said my only incentive was to gain the experience, and enjoy the challenge. After all, as the sage once said, "If he says it's not the money, but the principle, rest assured it's the money!" However, I don't want to embark on a fool's errand just to hoard my money. I've had the experience of costing myself dearly by being cheap.
As for what I'm looking for. The car ('87 Limited) will be used as a weekend toy, with little track time. I don't intend to take it any faster than low 12's. I do intend to add a 2800 rpm torque convertor while I have the tranny out, regardless of who builds it. I have a clean area to do this, and, since it's not a daily driver, I can take as long as is necessary to do this.
Given these things, am I nuts to consider this? (There is a shop locally that has been recommended by several folks with hi-po GM iron, including TR's, whose price is not out of line compared to numbers I've seen quoted on this list.) I've bounced this idea off several friends, whose opinions ran the gamut. Will I get a consensus here? Any and all opinions (including unkind ones) are encouraged! :-)
Thanks!
I took the dive a month or so ago.....the disassembly wasn't bad at all, a few hang-ups here and there, but with the proper angle and some foul words everything came apart. Now I'm in the midst of buying parts.....and then joy of reassembly