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Well, I'm back working on the car...
I need to install a Transgo shift kit into my TH400 before putting it back in the car which is my next step after installing a new trans tunnel insulation. I have to replace two of the triangular clips in the back as they both are missing the front most points. So, drill out the rivets and either go with a nut, washer and bolt or re-rivet (look like large rivets?). As far as the trans goes I have adapted the engine stand mounting plate to put the trans (TH400) on it. Got it pretty much centered on the input shaft and all I need to do is roll it over upside down to access the valve body, etc. I've seen the ones you can buy that look like they're set up to roll the trans vertically and I hope only to have to do this one time, so it doesn't seem like a good investment for a one and done type scenario. My research didn't find anything showing someone doing this, so I wanted to make sure this wasn't a bad idea. Pics posted and feedback appreciated.
Front View on Trans on stand mounting fixture. Side View of Trans on Stand Other Side View of Trans on Stand
As long as you keep the rear of the trans supported this should be OK. Years ago when I worked for a GM dealership the tool we used was a big C clamp type fixture that went into the holes in the middle of the trans. You can see on the side of the trans the bosses with a hole in them. This supports the trans from the center. Do not try and support the trans just by the bellhousing mounting. This will surely crack the case.
I built a mount years ago that held my TH400 so I could rebuild it. I made it from black pipe, angle iron,and it allowed me to disassemble and assemble the trans. worked great.
All good suggestions and improvised solutions. I chickened out and went ahead and just purchased one off of eBay. Don't want to mess up the tranny. The guy I purchased from is all American, US steel, etc., so it's all good. I'll just move on to another part of the seemingly never-ending project, lol! Thanks for the feedback ya' all!
It would have worked fine. I've done that multiple times without any issue. If the bellhousing was too weak for that to work then it'd never survive the engine power.
The specific transmission supports let you stand it on end so you can pull the guts out and rebuild it. But, if you're just messing with the valve body then it's not necessary to have one of those.
Today's project was to replace the two broken rear trans tunnel insulation clips. The passenger side one I drilled out from underneath the car. That was not the best way to do it I found out. The driver's side one I did from inside the car, once drilled, the clips just fall down. I pulled the seats out to do this as they are pretty much in the way. I had not pulled the seat outs previously, and it was a good thing I did. The passenger side rear door side bolt which does not go into a threaded nut like all the others and was missing its nut, so fixed that. Also, the driver's side seat belt buzzer (I'm guessing) was not connected but the passenger side was. While reconnecting the passenger side wire the seat must have bumped the seat belt retractor spring cap as it was askew, and the spring was unwinding but mostly intact. So, with a lot of patience (not my forte) I was able to get it back together. Whew! And as a bonus, there was an almost full roll of electrical tape, an ink pen and an indelible marker under the passenger seat. lol! Driver's side clip Passenger side clip Old broken clips and new part clips. Stagging the new rivet, had to get the wife to help, pretty much a 2-person task
Yeah, that was my original thought as the trans only weighs in at around 135 pounds but thought maybe it had to do with its aluminum composition vs cast iron like engines? Oh well, live and learn.
Got the new trans tunnel insulation installed today. I has some old 3M glue that I used on the top of the insulation in a few places. Biggest pita was reinstalling the console and brake cover. New trans tunnel insulation
I went ahead and flipped the trans over and used another strap on the rear as a safety precaution but I'm thinking it's not really needed (thanks lionelhutz!). And to that effect I send the recently purchased trans bracket that allows one to flip the trans vertically on the engine stand back to the vendor. Pic attached. TH400 turned over on engine stand Safety strap to support the rear of trans that allows turning it over. TH400 guts I get to play with installing the TransGo shift kit.
So, funny thing happened today while attempting to install the Borgeson system. I took the pan off my th400 trans and looked closely at it and lo and behold it already has a shift kit in it! How funny!
Not sure how it's set up so I'll take it apart enough to see what firmness it's got.
Looks like I might have a shift kit to sell lol. You can see the VB gasket middle left of pic Looks like an orange spring in the outer position, don't see that option in the TransGo instrucitons?
Last edited by Basque32; Apr 13, 2022 at 07:24 PM.
Reason: Adding Pictures
Using Engine Stand for Trans
