Transmission removal
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
A Chevrolet Service Manual for your year would explain it. I've removed the automatic in my 77 a few times. I think the main differences between doing that task in a Camaro vs a C3 are: if your exhaust passes thru the trans cross member you need to disconnect the pipe or pipes somewhere in order to lower the cross member, also the drive shaft has to be unbolted at the front and rear U joints and separated from the yoke at the trans. Rear u joint access is challenging.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Not really that bad.... Remove driveshaft; remove various 'connections' to the trans (dipstick/tube, shift cable, lock cable, speedo); support rear end of engine; remove flex-plate bolts; support transmission; remove cross-member & rear mount; remove bell-housing bolts; remove transmission.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 1, 2020 at 05:57 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Drive shaft removal:
Remove bolts from D/S to diff. yoke (you may need to use long extension (or 2) with rachet & socket to get to them); push D/S forward into the transmission; move D/S to one side and upward so it will slide backward next to the diff housing; slide D/S back to remove the front yoke from the trans; drop front end of D/S and remove it.
Remove bolts from D/S to diff. yoke (you may need to use long extension (or 2) with rachet & socket to get to them); push D/S forward into the transmission; move D/S to one side and upward so it will slide backward next to the diff housing; slide D/S back to remove the front yoke from the trans; drop front end of D/S and remove it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
I am so bummed. Went to take out transmission and somebody replaced it with a turbo 350, ugh. Should I put a 400 back in since I have to get it rebuilt anyway and if so would also need to change anything like driveshaft, bell housing or shifter cable?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Now would be a good time to swap over to an overdrive auto tranny. 700-R4 or 200-4R would be much better option than installing another THM-350 or THM-400. If you drive at highway speeds very much, the extra cost will be well worth it. And it is a selling point when (if) you decide to sell the car and it has O/D.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Don't complain. A transmission shop can beef-up a 350 to make it stronger, better shifting than a 400. Less drag on the crank & lighter too.
I believe a TH350 is good for up to 475 horse?
Do you need more strength than that?
I believe a TH350 is good for up to 475 horse?
Do you need more strength than that?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Some of the things you or your shop can do are the following:
Consider a B&M Shifter Improver kit or TransGo Pack. This allows you to manually shift into any gear, at any speed, at any RPM.
I would recommend a small add-on trans cooler out in front of the radiator.
You may want a looser torque convertor.
A cast aluminum pan with a slight increase in capacity. This will make the entire casing stronger also.
A better flow filter.
Consider a B&M Shifter Improver kit or TransGo Pack. This allows you to manually shift into any gear, at any speed, at any RPM.
I would recommend a small add-on trans cooler out in front of the radiator.
You may want a looser torque convertor.
A cast aluminum pan with a slight increase in capacity. This will make the entire casing stronger also.
A better flow filter.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Aug 3, 2020 at 09:13 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
A THM-400 can handle 475 hp without any change in parts. And you can make any auto transmission shift however you want with spring changes, etc. If the OP is mostly interested in power, beefing up a tranny may be the way to go. If the vehicle is used mostly for regular driving and travel on highways, other choices should be made.