The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop B&M TransKit for TH-400

Changed the fluid in the TH-400 this weekend - lots of pieces of clutch friction material on the filter. Looks like rebuild time. Has anybody installed one of the B&M TransKits? Is it as easy as they lead you to believe in the following article? Is the installation of the TH-400 kit more difficult than the TH-350 kit?
Trans Kit Article

That article covers the basics pretty well, and I only saw maybe a dozen little details they forgot to mention. The 400 is diferent, not necessarily more difficult than the 350. There are a couple of snap rings around the center support that can be swapped, one with square-cut sides, and the other with a taper on one side, and if they're installed wrong, the trans will shift to 2nd. gear once, and pop the ring out of the groove in the case, requiring a complete teardown again. (Don't ask me how I learned that one!) If you don't de-burr the manual valve shaft with a file before removing it from the case to swap the seal, you'll score the case and end up with a leak that can't be fixed. Machining on clutch pistons is an advanced-level technique that should only be attempted by a real pro. There are lots of clearance issues to deal with. I'd suggest finding a mentor who is very familiar with transmission repair to guide you through your first 20 or so rebuilds, before you attempt it on your own!
Jerry

Thanks, Jerry.
Unfortunately, the mentors around here cost $75 to $100 per hour! I hoping you would say something like: if you can reassemble a small block Chevy, you can reassemble an automatic. Sounds like it's much trickier job.

Too bad you're not a little closer to Tennessee! I'd be happy to walk you through a rebuild. The main sticking points are the clearance between the clutch plates, the end play of the front and rear main shafts, and the "touch" required to assemble the clutch pistons in their housings without cutting the rubber seal lips. There are some assembly aids available which makes the clutch assembly a lot simpler, but they're expensive for a one-time use. I made a lot of my own assembly tools, rather than pay the price for Kent-Moore equipment, a major supplier of transmission specialty tools. One thing to avoid at all costs is a "shift kit". All they do is mess up a good transmission, and do major damage to rear axles.
Jerry

OK, I will take it to the pros. I guess I can't complain - 220,000 miles (350,000 km) isn't bad compared to what the front wheel drive transaxles last.

Your comments about shift kits are interesting; I thought they were a good thing. I would have told them to put one in while it was apart! I will tell them to rebuild it to stock specs.

Thanks, again.

BTW Jerry, I was considering taking you up on your offer! My imagination had me checking in for my flight to Nashville: "Do you have any bags, you want to check?" "Just this one - it's kinda heavy"...

Gord - who are you going to take the trans to? I've had some good results with Westshore trans (formerly Bullfrog). They've moved to Dunford next to Alpine. They've answered alot of questions with patience. Drive checked out my trans once or twice with out charge. Been happy.
Just fixed my daughters Jeep 5-speed with-out saying they would have to tear it apart. It's been too wet for me to put it back in to make sure they actually did fix it.

Thanks for the tip. I checked out the guys on Sooke Rd accoss from Kal Tire. They only have 2 bays for working on vehicles. I asked the guy where they rebuild the trannies and he showed me their workbench. My workbench is bigger and I think have more tools...

It all depends on who you talk to.. I've been happy with Westshore.. another guy I know swears by the one you stopped by... But I've heard many people swear AT the big one on Government street.