79 Vette transmission help needed
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
79 Vette transmission help needed
I have a TH 350 transmission and I am assuming I need to replace it. Here is the situation I have had the car for 5 years and drive it very little. The last time I pulled it out of the garage I noticed a puddle of fluid and assumed it was from the power steering pump I just replaced and thought I over filled it, this was about a month ago all was fine with trans. Yesterday, I put the car in reverse nothing - Drive nothing. Pushed car out of garage, not as big but fluid seems to be transmission. When I pushed car back in the trans grabbed a little very little. I am no expert, but I am thinking the trans needs some help. My question is how can I make sure? I have an opportunity to buy a rebuilt 350 trans with less than 2k for $300 just needs tork converter and I was planning to use the one currently in place unless that could be the problem. I am OK with taking out and putting trans in but could use some help in the diagnosis to make sure I am not just getting a new trans and still have a problem. any help greatly appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
That's the typical sign that your fluid is too low. Car will not go into any gear. Check your fluid level. Be careful, add only 1/2 quart of Dexron fluid at a time, you do not want to overfill. Even if it is down just a quart and a half the car will not move. This happened to me a couple of times...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Like Tom said sounds like fluid level low. Next check filter for clogs. To me $300 dollars sounds high for a supposed to be overhauled 350 needing a convertor which usually costs around $100 dollars. You dont know what you are getting. If you have to have your current transmission overhauled I think you would be better off doing that and I think it would cost less since you mentioned removing the tranny yourself.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
First, Thank you all your great advice! If I understand correctly if the trans was working fine and just lost fluid more fluid should bring it back and if it continues to leak then if I replace the front and rear main seals it should take care of the leak, yes?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
If that's where it's leaking from then yes, replacing those seals will fix the leak. There are several others places it can leak from too, such as speedometer gear seal, detent seal, oil pan gasket and dipstick tube seal. If you are not sure where it is leaking from clean everything up and then check it out later. You may have to run the engine to get it to leak. You might see it right away or it may take a day or two to see it. When you are adding fluid to the trans make sure the trans is warmed up and you have run it through every gear to get the oil circulated all the way through the trans then check the dipstick with the engine running in park.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
It moved with new fluid I will look to see where it is coming from. Prior to the refill, it dropped almost all the fluid. The filter and pan were replaced a year ago and the car was driven less than 200 miles in that year. It seems to be coming from hole in the dust shield which would mean it may be the front seal, yes?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
It moved with new fluid I will look to see where it is coming from. Prior to the refill, it dropped almost all the fluid. The filter and pan were replaced a year ago and the car was driven less than 200 miles in that year. It seems to be coming from hole in the dust shield which would mean it may be the front seal, yes?
