TH400 Removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From: Olathe KS
TH400 Removal
Anything special I need to know for this job?
I assume it's just:
Remove driveshaft ujoint
Unbolt bellhousing
Remove Speedo Cable
Drain trans fuid
Unbolt converter from flexplate
drop crossmember and trans
I assume it's just:
Remove driveshaft ujoint
Unbolt bellhousing
Remove Speedo Cable
Drain trans fuid
Unbolt converter from flexplate
drop crossmember and trans
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Even after draining the TC will be full of fluid so make sure you strap in in the transmission somehow, if it slips out of the seal it'll start leaking over everything.
Trans lines
Exhaust runs through the crossmember (unless sidepipes or something custom) so you may need to drop if you can't slide the crossmember back enough to clear the rear of the trans.
Remove the filler tube or leave it up until the trans is out
You need about 18" IIRC clearance under the frame & exhaust to slide a th400 out
M
Trans lines
Exhaust runs through the crossmember (unless sidepipes or something custom) so you may need to drop if you can't slide the crossmember back enough to clear the rear of the trans.
Remove the filler tube or leave it up until the trans is out
You need about 18" IIRC clearance under the frame & exhaust to slide a th400 out
M
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'd rethink your order of doing things- Unbolt the convertor after you remove the dust cover/shield first thing. Then the drive shaft, crossmember, cooler lines and shift cable/speedo cable and kickdown wiring. Then unbolt from the engine. And as BK points out, support the rear of the engine. I've been known to remove the distributor cap just to make sure it can't hit anything and get broken.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From: Olathe KS
Even after draining the TC will be full of fluid so make sure you strap in in the transmission somehow, if it slips out of the seal it'll start leaking over everything.
Trans lines
Exhaust runs through the crossmember (unless sidepipes or something custom) so you may need to drop if you can't slide the crossmember back enough to clear the rear of the trans.
Remove the filler tube or leave it up until the trans is out
You need about 18" IIRC clearance under the frame & exhaust to slide a th400 out
M
Trans lines
Exhaust runs through the crossmember (unless sidepipes or something custom) so you may need to drop if you can't slide the crossmember back enough to clear the rear of the trans.
Remove the filler tube or leave it up until the trans is out
You need about 18" IIRC clearance under the frame & exhaust to slide a th400 out
M
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
M
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
Remove your distributor cap before unbolting the trans from the block. If the block is allowed to tilt back toward the firewall too far, the cap and or distributor can break. Also, getting the two top bolts is much easier by dropping the trans tail down some and using a very long ratchet extension from underneath the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Everyone has covered most everything pretty well but I would add that draining the fluid or not , I would suggest buying a transmission tail plug to cover the rear splines to keep the fluid from running out and it also protects the splines from damage if it would fall on the tail shaft .
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I just removed and rebuilt the TH400 in my '74. You do not need to remove the entire driveshaft. Simply uncouple it at the front U joint and slide the yoke forward into the tail housing. That gives you more than enough clearance for removal and saves unnecessary work.