Turbo 400 Disassembly

[hotrodpc]

Honestly, my ex wouldn't have carred less. I used the kitchen more than her lazy *** did.

[hotrodpc]

Finally got some time to complete the rebuild. Had a few interchange issues with the 69 trans and 86 trans, but I got it all worked out. The weather has not been very cooperative lately, but I did at least get it bolted in today for the most part. The hard part is done. 3 of the 6 bell housing bolts are in, half the crossmember bolts are in, so its in holding itself in and off the jack. Next time avaialbe, just have to hook it all up and finish bolting it in.

[bradrhale]

yep, i can tell that you are not married. congrats on the finish.

[hotrodpc]

hahaha, I have some better pics than that. I am sure you are reffering to table and in the house. That table is old and is specific for building trans. I have a hole drilled in the center of it so that output shaft goes thru the center and I can just drop the parts in it, insted of laying flat, and I also disassemble the drums with that hole in the table and the clutch spring compressor if I am not at the workbench. Most of that trans was built at the kitchen counter. Aterall, why would I want to build it in the garage and get my garage dirty?

[hotrodpc]

I had some interchange issues with a few parts. I wanted to use all the guts from the 69 donor trans since they were much cleaner and nicer looking. When I go to the center support, mine was trashed from the damage done by the sprag coming apart. I couldn't get parts to go in after that. Finally did some reading, and about mid way thru 69 there was a design change. The Center Support after 69 1/2 was .040 thinner and used a .040 spacer ring behind it. So I thought no bid deal, just take the space out and go without like the 64 thru 69 1/2 did. Then I read that the reason that was done, to save the case lugs from being beat on and save the case. I didn't want that, so I ended up taking the guts out of the 69 Center Support and using them in the 86 trans Center support so I could use the spacer and save the case. So that part is experimental and we will see how it goes. It is clearly a totally differant design in the intermediate piston, so I am hoping I actually have the better of 69 and 86 parts. I like the 69 piston design better. Then I had the pump all rebuilt from the 69. Went to put it on the case and then realized I only had 6 pump bolts where the 69 pump had 8 holes. Sure enough the 69 case had 8 holes. I was PO at myself for not catching that so I quit that night. Then had to rebuild the 86 pump and use it. I wanted to use the 69 valve body, then realized I had to use the 69 front servo too. There were differances in the valve podies too, so to be safe, after taking that whole 69 valve body apart, I had to do the same to the 86 also and use it. So I did a few things twice. But its OK, I think I have the better of the 2 years. Like the Torrington bearings are better in the later model. Very minor differances but they do make a huge differance when putting it together and making sure all the parts work right together. Afterall, I got to thinking, it had been 18 years since I built a trans, so I was rusty. But I learned alot about the differances of pre 69 1/2 and later. There are also other changes throughout the years, and I will be prepared next time when I see stuff like this. If it works good which I am sure it will, then it will all have been worth it. I happen to have acquired a truck output shaft too, so I can put the 69 back together with a bolt on yoke output shaft and have a back up trans or use it in one of the other trucks. That 80GMC truck with the Olds engine.. I think I am going to put an Olds 455 in it and want to go with a T400 in it. Thing is, the Buick, Pont, Olds and Cad T400 are all long shafts. So I will have to use a Chev truck output shaft and tail shaft on the BPO Case for that project. It will an inbred.

[crabtruck]

Originally Posted by hotrodpc

...The weather has not been very cooperative lately ...

Master of the understatement !
Wish I had that kind of time and peace all in one place.
Gitter done !

[mrjohnwayne]

glad you got her all back together.

[hotrodpc]

Thanks John. I had an old street race buddy from when I lived in CA, stop by to visit a couple of days, so I have not yet got the installation complete to try it out. I relocated to OK about 19 years ago, he relocated to FL about 18 years ago, so we had lots of catching up to do. With the rain off an on the last few days, we sat around BSin and going to a few classic car parts places and did some window dreaming. Hopefully the weather will good in the morning and I can get the install finished and finally get to take this truck for a ride and see how the suspension, brakes and motor are going to do. This is the one I bought for $100 with the bad trans, so I haven't got to drive it yet. I already know it needs some front end work. I can see the left front wheel leaning in a bit. The tire is cupping a bit too, but I found that problem already. the left front shock is just sitting in position and not bolted the frame. The nut had came off of it. Gonna rotate tires front to back after I get those suspension issues resolved, but I do expect it to make for a rough ride otherwise.

[mrjohnwayne]

yeah we had all that rain last week. houston was flooded for almost a week in certain areas. heck for 100 bucks even if you do need to replace a few more things it is still a steal LOL

[hotrodpc]

Oh no doubt, when you buy any truck for $100 and it can driven with about $100 worth of parts and a few hours labor, its a steal. This one is a 3/4 ton and has great running 454 that was put in it about 30-40K miles ago. Motor is great and worth much more than $100 in itself. I am having some issues getting the title though. I have to Title 42 it. They didn't want to hassle getting a lost title as if that was so hard to do. But for $100 I can handle it.