86 automatic transmission replacement
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Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 80
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From: Salt Lake, Utah
86 automatic transmission replacement
Hello, I recently purchased a new to me transmission out of a wrecked Corvette with only 30,000 miles.
I will be replacing my transmission in my 1986 Corvette this weekend and I need to know a few things concerning flushes and fluid change.
First of all, I want to flush the lines and cooler to get all the crap from the failed transmission out before I install the new transmission.
Second, I would like to flush the new transmission I have and do a filter change on it as well.
Third thing, is there anyway to change the fluid in the torque converter while it is out; or can that be done with the final flush?
Lastly, is there any special procedure for filling the new transmission?
what is the best way to do a flush at home without a machine?
I will be replacing my transmission in my 1986 Corvette this weekend and I need to know a few things concerning flushes and fluid change.
First of all, I want to flush the lines and cooler to get all the crap from the failed transmission out before I install the new transmission.
Second, I would like to flush the new transmission I have and do a filter change on it as well.
Third thing, is there anyway to change the fluid in the torque converter while it is out; or can that be done with the final flush?
Lastly, is there any special procedure for filling the new transmission?
what is the best way to do a flush at home without a machine?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
Hello, I recently purchased a new to me transmission out of a wrecked Corvette with only 30,000 miles.
I will be replacing my transmission in my 1986 Corvette this weekend and I need to know a few things concerning flushes and fluid change.
First of all, I want to flush the lines and cooler to get all the crap from the failed transmission out before I install the new transmission.
Second, I would like to flush the new transmission I have and do a filter change on it as well.
Third thing, is there anyway to change the fluid in the torque converter while it is out; or can that be done with the final flush?
Lastly, is there any special procedure for filling the new transmission?
what is the best way to do a flush at home without a machine?
I will be replacing my transmission in my 1986 Corvette this weekend and I need to know a few things concerning flushes and fluid change.
First of all, I want to flush the lines and cooler to get all the crap from the failed transmission out before I install the new transmission.
Second, I would like to flush the new transmission I have and do a filter change on it as well.
Third thing, is there anyway to change the fluid in the torque converter while it is out; or can that be done with the final flush?
Lastly, is there any special procedure for filling the new transmission?
what is the best way to do a flush at home without a machine?
Couple of things need clarifying. Which torque converter are you using? If it is from the wreck and shows no sign of water intrusion, with only 30K, I would not be concerned with flushing it. Turn upside down for a couple days for a gravity drain.
How did the other transmission fail? Slipping only or catastrophic hard part failure. If it is only a disk failure, then flushing the cooler and lines is less critical.
As far as flushing without a machine, you will have to get creative. For my own use, I made a pressurized container out of an 18" piece of 3" ABS pipe. Holds about a gallon. It has a fitting for an air supply and one to fit the cooler line. Hook to the top line and direct the bottom line into a catch can. Do a couple times and then air out the lines.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 80
Likes: 4
From: Salt Lake, Utah
I will be using the torque converter from the wreck.
the old transmission went out im guessing from being overheated. It makes a loud whine when put into gear and will no longer shift past first gear.
i think my course of action is going to be to let this new (30,000mile) torque converter gravity drain for a couple days then fill it back up with fresh fluid. I will also figure out a way to flush the lines and cooler just to get any of the old fluid out. (Still wanting to know different ways to do this)
after the new transmission is installed i will do a simple filter and fluid change and then drive it to a shop with the capability to properly flush the whole system. (Unless someone has an ideanof a good way i can do this myself)
the old transmission went out im guessing from being overheated. It makes a loud whine when put into gear and will no longer shift past first gear.
i think my course of action is going to be to let this new (30,000mile) torque converter gravity drain for a couple days then fill it back up with fresh fluid. I will also figure out a way to flush the lines and cooler just to get any of the old fluid out. (Still wanting to know different ways to do this)
after the new transmission is installed i will do a simple filter and fluid change and then drive it to a shop with the capability to properly flush the whole system. (Unless someone has an ideanof a good way i can do this myself)
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 1,323
From: LeClaire Iowa
I will be using the torque converter from the wreck.
the old transmission went out im guessing from being overheated. It makes a loud whine when put into gear and will no longer shift past first gear.
i think my course of action is going to be to let this new (30,000mile) torque converter gravity drain for a couple days then fill it back up with fresh fluid. I will also figure out a way to flush the lines and cooler just to get any of the old fluid out. (Still wanting to know different ways to do this)
after the new transmission is installed i will do a simple filter and fluid change and then drive it to a shop with the capability to properly flush the whole system. (Unless someone has an ideanof a good way i can do this myself)
the old transmission went out im guessing from being overheated. It makes a loud whine when put into gear and will no longer shift past first gear.
i think my course of action is going to be to let this new (30,000mile) torque converter gravity drain for a couple days then fill it back up with fresh fluid. I will also figure out a way to flush the lines and cooler just to get any of the old fluid out. (Still wanting to know different ways to do this)
after the new transmission is installed i will do a simple filter and fluid change and then drive it to a shop with the capability to properly flush the whole system. (Unless someone has an ideanof a good way i can do this myself)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
I will be using the torque converter from the wreck.
the old transmission went out im guessing from being overheated. It makes a loud whine when put into gear and will no longer shift past first gear.
i think my course of action is going to be to let this new (30,000mile) torque converter gravity drain for a couple days then fill it back up with fresh fluid. I will also figure out a way to flush the lines and cooler just to get any of the old fluid out. (Still wanting to know different ways to do this)
after the new transmission is installed i will do a simple filter and fluid change and then drive it to a shop with the capability to properly flush the whole system. (Unless someone has an ideanof a good way i can do this myself)
the old transmission went out im guessing from being overheated. It makes a loud whine when put into gear and will no longer shift past first gear.
i think my course of action is going to be to let this new (30,000mile) torque converter gravity drain for a couple days then fill it back up with fresh fluid. I will also figure out a way to flush the lines and cooler just to get any of the old fluid out. (Still wanting to know different ways to do this)
after the new transmission is installed i will do a simple filter and fluid change and then drive it to a shop with the capability to properly flush the whole system. (Unless someone has an ideanof a good way i can do this myself)
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 1,323
From: LeClaire Iowa
That sounds like a great idea. For some of us we would need more info. What do you pump the air up to or do you leave full air pressure on until the tank is empty? Is the top line the normal path back or are you backflushing it? A picture would be great. Dan PS: It sounds like each treatment uses about 40 bucks of fluid. With two treatments and a air blow out it pencils out to about $120.00 worth of fluid. Is this correct?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
That sounds like a great idea. For some of us we would need more info. What do you pump the air up to or do you leave full air pressure on until the tank is empty? Is the top line the normal path back or are you backflushing it? A picture would be great. Dan PS: It sounds like each treatment uses about 40 bucks of fluid. With two treatments and a air blow out it pencils out to about $120.00 worth of fluid. Is this correct?
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From: LeClaire Iowa
To clarify, I did not say to use trans fluid to flush. A gallon of Varsol where I live is about 9.00. That would be 18.00 for two flushes. If one is ****, you could use the first gallon as many times as you want and use the second for the "clean flush". That is the reason for the "air blow-out" in my last sentence. If you were to use trans fluid, there would be no point in doing the "blowout". I mention to hook up the line to the top cooler line which, by default, means it is being backflushed.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: LeClaire Iowa
To clarify, I did not say to use trans fluid to flush. A gallon of Varsol where I live is about 9.00. That would be 18.00 for two flushes. If one is ****, you could use the first gallon as many times as you want and use the second for the "clean flush". That is the reason for the "air blow-out" in my last sentence. If you were to use trans fluid, there would be no point in doing the "blowout". I mention to hook up the line to the top cooler line which, by default, means it is being backflushed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
arbee, I know you are a knowledgeable expert on these cars. I am not. I, personally, would be very scared to pump Varsol ( another name for Turpentine) through my tranny. I would be worried about it getting stuck in some place that would not blow out. I would also be scared about a film thinning or messing with the fresh Dextron. Is this an actual common flushing agent for trannys? Thanks, Dan
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: LeClaire Iowa
Dude! Point out where I said to pump it into the tranny. I will try again. My exact words were " Hook to the top line and direct the bottom line into a catch can. Do a couple times and then air out the lines." If one of the cooler lines is attached to my homemade flush canister and the other line is directed to a catch can, would that not describe flushing of the lines and the cooler? Where does the transmission come into play?