[Bryan Jensen]

I bought a turbo 400 and it needs to be rebuilt. I already have a lot of money going out into an enggine rebuild, an acid dip, as well as all sorts of other little things. I'd like to save a couple bucks and just go ahead and buy an overhaul kit, as well as a transgo shift kit and do it myself. However I'm not sure if I'm 100 percent confident if I know how to do it right. I know a lot about my car but the internals of the transmission are beyond me.

My question is can a person with average mechanical knowledge rebuild one on their own, or am I better off having it professionally rebuilt? Like I said, I'm kind of running low on funds at the moment, so I figure if I can do it myself I will.

Also, this is a turbo 400 that is from a 67 GTO, and has 67 dates. If I decide to go the do-it-yourself route, how do I clean and redo the aluminum bellhousing? There's all sorts of gunk and road dirt on it.

[Bryan Jensen]

I bought a turbo 400 and it needs to be rebuilt. I already have a lot of money going out into an enggine rebuild, an acid dip, as well as all sorts of other little things. I'd like to save a couple bucks and just go ahead and buy an overhaul kit, as well as a transgo shift kit and do it myself. However I'm not sure if I'm 100 percent confident if I know how to do it right. I know a lot about my car but the internals of the transmission are beyond me.

My question is can a person with average mechanical knowledge rebuild one on their own, or am I better off having it professionally rebuilt? Like I said, I'm kind of running low on funds at the moment, so I figure if I can do it myself I will.

Also, this is a turbo 400 that is from a 67 GTO, and has 67 dates. If I decide to go the do-it-yourself route, how do I clean and redo the aluminum bellhousing? There's all sorts of gunk and road dirt on it.

[engineer]

you can not do it yourself with special tools, a manual and the video and a big parts washer.

[mrrat1]

Do you have any vo-tech schools near bye?? I'm asking cause a buddy of mine is a shop teacher and if you provide the parts the shop will do the work free. The students are supervised. Just a thought. A shift kit is easy to do, but a rebuild is quite a challenge for a first timer. Also rebuilds are much cheaper when the trans is already out of car. Hope this helps Dave K.

[Billy177]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=117793

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=119991

a general idea of what goes on inside while different and more complex then a t400 you get a good general idea.

some brake cleaner or something of that nature will work to get the grease off

[welsh poncho]

Dave
Yes you can rebuild your box, I was in the same position have rebuilt engines but always a bit wary of autoboxs. Get Ron Sessions book How to Work with and Modify the Turbo Hydra-matic 400 transmission read this first and then decide.It gave me the convidence to go for it I rebiuld my TH400 and fitted transgo kit, works OK. Take your time use the book,if you can rebuild an engine you can rebuild a gearbox. Good Luck.

[Squidward]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Get Ron Sessions book How to Work with and Modify the Turbo Hydra-matic 400 transmission read this first and then decide. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ditto. The Sessions book is GOLD. Just remember - although seemingly a complex wonder of magical machinery, God DID NOT invent the TH400. It was designed and built by men back in the 60's, and is therefore capable of being conquered. It was designed to be rebuilt and serviced by the same guys who spent all their time in high school smoking pot and learning the lyrics to DIO songs.

Just remember that there are certain things you need to take apart, and other things that rarely if ever fail. Clutches, steels, and seals should do it for you, and making sure that your bushings aren't too worn.

[form406]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It was designed to be rebuilt and serviced by the same guys who spent all their time in high school smoking pot and learning the lyrics to DIO songs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

classic

[screamingchief]

Hey! I resemble that remark!...Holy diver,I been down too long in the midnight sea! DONTDIGGADONTDIGGADONTDONTDONNNN!!!!

[ponchobob]

The t-400 is one of those rare trannies that does NOT require specialised tools to rebuild. you WILL need a pair of slide hammers to remove the pump, can be made from two 2'long peices of 3/8"allthread and nuts, washers and large deepwell sockets.-Will also need a dial indicator on a mag.stand. It is best to make a fixture of some sort to stand it on its tail solidly without loading the output shaft for dissassembly-reassembly and checking endplay. And get a GOOD book! parts hould be under $200 total-The only trans simpler than a T-400 is a 'glide!!-Bob.

[Cliff R]

If you are going to do simple rubber/paper frictions/steels/bands replacment it can easily be done at home with a few simple tools. Some apparatus to compress the spring cages is manditory and most anything else needed can be fabricated quickly.

In order to do a thorough and complete rebuiding you will need to pound in a full set of bushings. Some are difficult to R & R, but we feel instlling a full set is a good idea and worth the extra effort and expense.....Cliff

[Half-Inch Stud]

AHEM, DIY&gt;.

I successfully rebuilt TH400s for racing as a teen...in the dark.

Now 40, certainly easier with easy information access and the experience.

Tools:
Pair of C-Clamps than reach 5" opening for Cluch Pack Seal remove/install.

Parts:
1. Gasket &Seal kit.
2. Clutch &Steels kit.
3. a 2nd TH400 (Big Car/truck, Long-Tail) from 1969-1979 for parts comparison, & the Center Support.

HIS

[Formulafr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Cliff R:
If you are going to do simple rubber/paper frictions/steels/bands replacment it can easily be done at home with a few simple tools. Some apparatus to compress the spring cages is manditory and most anything else needed can be fabricated quickly.

In order to do a thorough and complete rebuiding you will need to pound in a full set of bushings. Some are difficult to R & R, but we feel instlling a full set is a good idea and worth the extra effort and expense.....Cliff </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

i'm thinking the same.
i broke my TH350 last year (must i say, the previous onwer probably did a bad use because of the oil burning in the box) so i could drive but not start in "D", i must shift from L to S eah time i stop .

i decide to check my TH350 (with a TCI kit) but as i haven't done this before and haven't any good place to do the work, i ask somme help to a friend who have ever rebuild tranny. I assisted him. i can tell you one thing: there is nothing very difficult and if i had to rebuild a transmission again , i will do it alone (except for the demounting of tranny). just don't work in mess, be meticulous person and organized, and all would be easy.
As sayed Cliffr, you have to fabricate some tool but nothing impossible

[form406]

i used to be scared of the autoshop guiys in highschool...now im one of those guys.....this makes me interested inrebuilding a t400...ive built 3 motors...shortblocks...

[screamingchief]

Biggest problem I have had rebuilding auto transmissions is finding some way of adequately cleaning the cases to my satisfaction.

Find a local shop(machine/trans) that can hopefully help there.

Good reference material is key as there were some running changes in th-400 design,and some parts are deffinately prefered for H-D use.

Absolutely need a clean place to work,and EVERYTHING MUST BE CLEAN(ED)!

Some tools that come in handy,need a means to compress the clutch pack springs(some use C-clamp vise grips,I have the shop style press),a lip seal tool(again some use feeler gauges but the correct tool works MUCH better,does'nt cut the seals),some type of picks(I have a bunch of old ice picks I use),some flat blade screw drivers,feeler gauges to check clutch pack clearance,dial gauge to check end play for input/output(can also use a vernier caliper for this),bushing drivers,chisels for removing bushings,inch pound torque wrench for valvebody torquing,snap ring pliers for pressure regulator clip,the slide hammer mentioned earlier(I use threaded rod with a nut and washers and an old 2.5 lb. sledge hammer head for the front pump),and maybe a micrometer for selective parts measurement,in other words there are some tools needed but some can be improvised, but some it helps to have the right ones for sure.

Also helps to have a air compressor and the means to air check the clutch packs when assembled.

For a first timer I would recommend having established a relationship with someone skilled in this to help with any questions that might arise just in case you have trouble.

The best part is once you get past the initial intimidation of doing this,it has a certain amount of satisfaction as a car crafter.

And on the high school/Dio issue I guess the secrets out,oh well did'nt really want to run for president anyhow!

Maybe I'm older and wiser now???

[onetru462]

Hey, the TH400 can be a joy to rebuild. Sliding everything back in the first time or 2 can be a little frustrating, but I have gotten to the point I tear mine down every winter just to keep it fresh and makes for a relaxing project. Mainly self taught, and after awhile shift kits are an option (you can easyl learn to make it shift how you like it) and last three I did (1 my own and 2 for others) I even have figured how to make them full manual shift with or without engine breaking. Has to be the most foward approach to a automatic out there. Take your time and have fun with it. Also the money you save in labor will let you buy the better drums sprags clutches seals etc.

BTW if you dont have a slide hammer, a 2 foot chain bolted to the pump in the 2 aformentioned holes works slick to. Couple good jerks, and the pump will slide right out.
Also I am not in any way saying shift kits,trick kits, etc aren't great. I am one of those people that over anaylize and constantly challange myself to understand how things work, so I was able to.

[jamesgennock]

You wil be fine just take your time . Buy a video they are out there as well!! and when you learn I will drop mine off to you when I go to Pomona next time!.

[tininjun67]

Go with the aftermarket sprag also. It will come in handy down the road. For cleaning, if you don't own a pressure washer, just take the case to the local do it yourself car wash. a few bucks in quarters she'll look good as new. Dry with compressed air afterwards. Are you certain it needs overhauling? I'm assuming it's no longer in the car. But if it was, I'd put a pressure gauge on it and see what's going on first. Is it shifting improperly or is it slipping?

[Tom Hand]

Get the shop manual and read through it first, then read Ron Session's book. It is a straight-forward deal but it is not as easy as falling off a log.
The shop manaul shows lots of details you will need to see.

[Half-Inch Stud]

AndyR....great reply...my sentiments too.