A couple of years ago I naively bought a beautiful '78, mechanic-owned, and had a lot of fun with it, until the alternator died. So, I replaced the alternator (which was probably the first real work I'd ever done on a car), and went on my merry way a little while longer until it started overheating.

Turns out I screwed up putting the new alternator in, and the upper radiator hose was worn open. I fixed the alternator and replaced the upper radiator hose, but that didn't stop the overheating. Turns out I'd bent the radiator cuff, and there was a slight gap between the hose and the radiator. I tried plugging it with a variety of things, but finally had to replace the radiator. I had this professionally done because I didn't want to damage the fins in my inexperience.

That's when the automatic transmission (TH350) started to fail. Turns out someone before me had cleverly tried to install a "plug" (read: wood screw) in the tranny pan to ease draining it. So, I plugged that as well as I could (and replaced the seal and filter while I was under there) and that seemed to work for a while. Eventually, though, the ATF just seemed to evaporate: I'd put in more, but eventually there wouldn't be enough to shift, without a tell-tale spot on the ground (I was overwhelmed with help from alt.autos.corvette on this one last week).
Around this time I moved, and put it in a friend's yard for about a year. I got it back in September when I moved again, and there are a few more things for me to repair: ice broke the (cheap, replacement for the original stolen) T Top and windshield, and the interior, already something I'd planned to replace with leather, is mildewed and rotting. Nothing I hadn't planned to replace anyway (I wanted to replace the windshield with an HUD windshield and display maps, GPS info, etc. from an in-dash projector connected to an in-dash laptop, because it'd be a cool toy), but now it's a little more necessary. Oh, yeah, I also replaced the carb somewhere in there (switched from Holley, which noone could ID, to QJet, which I can't figure out how to hook up, but I'll read Lars's papers on that before asking here), but I can't remember why.


That's the history. My questions are:
-First and most important, any tips for a newbie?
-The hose from the vacuum modulator is dry inside, so I know the diaphragm is good; plus, the ATF cooler is physically separate from the radiator, so I know there isn't a leak there. Any idea on where my ATF is going?
-I plan to take out and rebuild my tranny as soon as I can find a *&%$ place that will rent/sell me a tranny jack without jerking me around (many phone calls and little luck so far), since I want to learn how and since I suspect that all the overheating might have caused damage contributing to the disappearing ATF. Any advice?

Pics when it's worth showing off again (i. e. next year).


<updated for readability - thanks for suggestions>


[Modified by jb - 78, 9:03 PM 10/15/2001]

 

Yeesh!

Well...I can't help you with the ATF, but I'll welcome you to the forum!

Definitely read lars' paper.

and post pics of your vette! :D

 

Welcome!

Sorry I can't help at all with the probs you're having, so a welcome is the best you'll get out ofme right now too.

Oh...one tip. You
ve got a run-on paragraph going there. Separate it out with some retruns and it'll be easier for people to read = easier for people to reply to.

Dave

 

I read your post twice. I think you should (and don't take this the wrong way) find a reputable mechanic in your area and use him alot. Get the car fixed and don't do it yourself, you'll be happier in the long run, and you won't be floundering around trying to fix something you obviously don't know anything about and making matters worse.

 

First of all JB - welcome and glad to have you.

Second of all, I have a tip for you:

Do NOT ever store your vette in someone's "yard" again!!! :smash:

But you probably already figured that one out. Thirdly, I agree you need to find a good VETTE mechanic who can help you out, there is just so much to know with these cars. Lastly, post pictures anyway, so we can see how much better it looks when you are done.

Tom :chevy

 

I read your post twice. I think you should (and don't take this the wrong way) find a reputable mechanic in your area and use him alot. Get the car fixed and don't do it yourself, you'll be happier
in the long run, and you won't be floundering around trying to fix something you obviously don't know anything about and making matters worse.

Unfortunately, I don't have much money to spare for this. Also, I'm the type of person that wants to understand how things work *so badly* that he'd rather have something he broke himself than that someone else fixed. I think your point is quite valid, but doesn't completely apply to me. I admit, I have no idea what I'm doing (aside from having studied auto tranny theory manuals and TH-350 rebuilding guides), and I know that it's asking for trouble for someone in my position to attempt to rebuild an automatic transmission (says so in both my Hayne's and Chilton's manuals). That being said, I look at the money I've saved and the amount of information I've learned so far (in mechanics and other fields) by doing things myself, and I have to say that, for me, the rewards outweigh the costs.

I do appreciate your input, though. I think you're probably right.

 

My 74 was losing ATF replaced the modulator cured,By the way no sign of fluid in th vacuum line but the #8 plug was oil fouled.maybe I did not check good enough,but I never saw any ATF signs in the line thay are cheap to replace and easy

 

Forgot my manners the first time - WELCOME.

No offense meant. There are somethings that are better left to the pros, even if funds are tight. There are lots of things we can take apart and fix ourselves with the proper tools, books, etc. and that can add up to some serious savings, tap into that "savings" when you have to "farm it out".


[Modified by KenSny, 5:37 PM 10/15/2001]

 

Heh. Sometimes I sound cranky, but in all honesty I was just trying not to offend - don't worry; YOU didn't offend ME! 0-) Really, I do think your advice is sound. I am seriously rethinking my decision to rebuild the tranny. Thank you for making sure everything's cool.

Also, no small thanks for the welcome!

 

hello...

a c3 vette is good to own, since if this is your 1st time working on cars, then itll give you alotta opportunities :jester :smash: :smash:

that being said....

the things you should tackle yourself are the easy stuff (bolts ons.. turning wrenches....) alternator, maybe suspension work if you follow the instructions etc...

i would definately NOT rebuilt a tranny myself if u havent done any other auto repair work in the 1st place... there are simpler things to start on 1st... and also it requires special tools....

but that being said, we all have done some pretty good bubba stuff here (we all have bubba stories)

soooooo without further ado, i welcome you to the C3 BUBBA CLUB!!!

:conehead

 

Hi jb
Welcome to the forum. I think I have to agree with the other guys. If this is your first attempt at repairing a car you should definitely not try to rebuild the tranny. Now that shouldn't stop you from working on other things that may need rebuilding. You can work on brakes, shocks, suspension, trim and paint. Each job you complete will give you the experience and confidence you need to tackle the next. As far as tools go you should check out Harbor Freight. They have low cost tools and I think you will be able to find jack stands, jacks, etc. for a pretty reasonable price. I wouldn't use all their stuff because some of it is pretty cheap but there are some good bargains to be found there. If your looking for instructions on repairs you can't beat the factory repair and assembly manuals. Get a set of those before you start to pull anything apart. You can also check out the websites of the forum members for some good info on projects. The main thing to remember is that your not going to become an expert overnight and you'll have many failures along the way. Don't be discouraged. But also keep in mind what Dirty Harry said...."A man's got to know his limitations". Good luck. :seeya

 

Thanks, all.
I should probably clarify that I have done *some* work on cars - just little things so far (brake pads, 2 caliper rebuilds, 2 alternator replacements & a rewinding, assorted cooling system work, tranny filter/seal replacement, etc.). A year ago I wouldn't have considered taking apart a tranny, but I've had enough successes (and learned enough from my failures) that I feel comfortable with the machine and ready for this learning experience, in spite of the fact that I only have a couple of years of experience.

 

rebuilding a tranny? :eek: :eek:

Man I saw that done on TV once...holy ****....I still can't even figure out how those things work... :lol: In my opinion, the tranny...expecally an automatic...is by far the most complicated part in ANY car(computer or not...electronics don't scare me). I would tackle anything in my car except a tranny rebuild. The rear end rebuild scares me a little too, but it doesn't have as many moving parts. :jester

I do think, if you do it, document it well...Then post it here, so maybe some other people will get the guts to do their own...you could start a trend...like the whole "paint your own car" thing...I never even considered that until I came to this forum(all the local 'vette guys told me to take it here or there, I said I wanted to do it, they called me crazy...thought I ended up paying someone else in the end...I didn't have the time to do it myself)

Daniel

 

I'll second (or third or forth) the let somebody else rebuild the tranny advice. I'll work on about anything on a car, but it's just too damned hard to get an auto tranny right.

BTW, I'm the only REAL JB here! :jester

JB

'78SA

 

I agree with most about the tranny repair. Unless you have some experienced help to do your first one, go to a a pro. 2 places I can think of for the tranny fluid to go, vacummed thru modulator and burned thru the engine or leaking thru the cooler inside the radiator. No tranny fluid in the anti-freeze then the first option more then likely. Now that is said, welcome to the forum. Get yourself some manuals that cover your year vette and tackle the projects your comfortable with. Never hesitate to ask a question here, always good advise I've seen here. Good Luck oh and if any one wants a turbo 350 that was working, I have one that came with a motor I rebuilt for my Suburban. The price FREE save for shipping.
Scott


[Modified by Scott78, 7:43 PM 10/15/2001]

 

first get a manual for your car and the qjet and trans

it sounds like the moudulater is leaking and fluid is getting sucked into the #8 as has been said earlier.

most of all have fun :cool:

ZD