Completed my first transmission rebuild.

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live2pull

live2pull

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This is very cool. I am approaching 200k on a transmission with unknown service history. I have always been reluctant to build a transmission, they seem like an engineering marvel and so many special tools needed to do it right. Not to mention, I hate having other people work on my stuff, and finding a reputable transmission guy seems as difficult and overhauling a transmission used to be. Watched through transmission bench's overhaul videos on youtube, while tedious and time consuming, this task does not seem impossible anymore.
 
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chevrol8t

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live2pull said:
This is very cool. I am approaching 200k on a transmission with unknown service history. I have always been reluctant to build a transmission, they seem like an engineering marvel and so many special tools needed to do it right. Not to mention, I hate having other people work on my stuff, and finding a reputable transmission guy seems as difficult and overhauling a transmission used to be. Watched through transmission bench's overhaul videos on youtube, while tedious and time consuming, this task does not seem impossible anymore.
Click to expand...
Transmission bench. Those videos is what got me through it all! He never missed a step of what to do! You can go to youtube to watch all of his videos. Also he did the full rebuild using basic tools minus on or two specialized items (feeler guage, dial calipers...). Like you, my transmission was off-limits for me. However I was creeping up on 300k miles and though the transmission was performing fine I knew I was living off borrowed time. I figured "what the heck" I would rather tackle it myself and deal with the outcome instead of a local shop, no knowing what was actually done.

Give Transmission bench videos a look see. You may be pleasantly surprised. My biggest issue was just getting my transmission out from under my Tahoe and back in again.
 
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chevrol8t

chevrol8t

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live2pull said:
This is very cool. I am approaching 200k on a transmission with unknown service history. I have always been reluctant to build a transmission, they seem like an engineering marvel and so many special tools needed to do it right. Not to mention, I hate having other people work on my stuff, and finding a reputable transmission guy seems as difficult and overhauling a transmission used to be. Watched through transmission bench's overhaul videos on youtube, while tedious and time consuming, this task does not seem impossible anymore.
Click to expand...
Oh and sorry for the late reply. Work been a bear lately!
 
pwtr02ss

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Timbers68 said:
Hat's off to you OP for tackling a 4 speed autotrans. Are you an engineer?
Since it's already together and running down the road (congratulations) I'll only comment a couple of things.

Personally I've never used a Zpak since the ones I've seen are putting many thin frictions in place of OE. The ones I have seen have been smoked on tear down. I have not had good luck with long term durability of any Red Alto frictions except Dodge Diesels Autos 46/47/48re. The only reason I used them is because the shop owner liked them. Alto makes some nice red bands for Dodges and they used to make some high energy friction for different units.

Every 700-r4/4L60e I build gets (7) .080" high energy borg warner 3/4 friction with .078" steels. IMO the trick is to get the 3/4 clearance right and not use friction or steels that are too thin (.060"ish) because they can't take the heat. Never used the wide bands on 60/60e's because I've never had a stock width high energy fail. Band disclaimer- not built one of these that was behind much more than 600hp. Using 6 friction with .100" steels is good to go.

I do know that just because I haven't had good luck with a product doesn't mean there's not 50 guys saying the opposite. My .02c

OP, don't through out your case. From the picture I believe you were worried about the indentations that the lo/reverse steels made. Most likely you can clean that up so that the steels won't catch on an edge and use it or sell it.
Click to expand...

Timbers68 said:
Raybestos are a great factory replacement clutch too, great choice. I use them regularly.
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I'm glad to hear your input on these things. It seems you and I have the same opinion, other than the wide band thing. I had the stock on fail in my camaro and caused 2nd gear flare at WOT through the shift. Band was toast and the drum was glazed.
 
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chevrol8t

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Evening all! once again I apologize for the late reply. Just giving an update. I have clocked 1,111 miles on the new transmission. This evening I drained the pan to see what is going on and how things were looking. I am uploading 3 photos.
1. The transmission pan with just the fluid dumped but the pan not wiped. As you can see the pan is very clean minus the dark marks which is the grease from the magnet. The fluid came out very bright pink with no visible particles. After skimming the pan with a pen magnet (next photo) there is some peach fuzz going on which I expected. The third photo sort of got me on the edge of concerned but again I hope it's due to it being a new build and will clear up by the next fluid change. If you look at the filter's "edge" you will see a noticeable amount of tiny "glitter" particles that have rested on the edge and center. once gain since this is my first build I am not freaking out and hope this is expected until break-in? Also the filter element was not clogged.

Once again fluid is bright pink, no burning smell, still shifting like a champ with no odd behavior. I have to wait for reassembly as my ACDELCO filter had to be ordered. I should have it tomorrow.
 

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