Engine out for a rebuild .. should I redo the tranny redone too?

First, let me explain that this is a bone stock setup that has sat in the garage for, oh, 12 years now....

The tranny worked just fine the last time the car ran, but I'm concerned about what sitting that long may have done to it. It wasn't drained, except for whatever leaked out when I pulled the motor or dripped on the ground when I moved the car a few years back. But as the motor is out of the engine compartment, it looks like getting the tranny out too would be much easier now than after the motor is back in there. And I'd hate to get everything buttoned back up only to find it doesn't go anywhere...

The tranny has - I am guessing here - about 50K miles on it since it was rebuilt the first time back in '87. It went about 110K on the original.

I'm not planning on any major performance mods to the motor, exhaust, rear end, or anything -- just trying to get my classic car back running again.

Any recommendations?

 

Your transmission may be fine, even with 50000 miles on a rebuild. Sitting for a long time isn't necessarily a bad thing but the friction surfaces can dry out without oil splashing on them. If it was mine I would go ahead and refresh it but it would only cost me the price of the parts. If the insurance of having it refreshed is worth whatever your cost will be then now is a great time to do it. If you decide not to refresh it then once you get the engine back in and running, make sure the tranny is full, and run it in park and neutral for at least a half hour to make sure that the friction surfaces are presoaked before ever placing it in any traction gear. That way the friction materials won't glaze and crumple when they engage.

 

I agree with Paul here... but I'd just go ahead and rebuild it also, but it doesn't cost me as much as it would if the average person was to take it to a tranny shop either.

 

If it fits your budget, you should go ahead and rebuild. Good luck.

 

The tranny in my car sat in my carport for about 10 years. I was concerned it might not work right, too. Like PaulS said, I let it run a long time in park before I ever tried it in gear, and it works fine. Yours should be too, as long as it was good when it was taken out. If it makes you feel better, redo it, it won't hurt anything but your pocketbook!

 

I'd also recommend changing the fluid if you do not decide to rebuild it

 

I would rebuild it.....no question.

 

Thanks everyone! I think that settles it -- I'll plan on a rebuild. Cost and time really aren't huge concerns considering that the engine still needs to be put back together, body work done, repainting, interior, etc. It's a long term project...

I'd rather not take it to aamco or the equivalent though... I have generally had very bad experiences with big chain shops (another post for another time...).

Paul, I see you're in the Seattle area... I'm just over in Woodinville. It looks like you've been through a number of these yourself! Would you be willing to have a look at this one? Or pass along any references?

Thanks again!

 

David,
I can take a look at it and your intended use. You can reach me at my email address in my profile - just click on my name. ( I will be out of town for the next week)

 

I would'nt be concerned with the clutches near as much as I would the lip seals and o rings they will get hard after time......

 

The rubber components don't get hard unless there is some heat involved. I have o-rings that have been in stock for more than ten years and they are as flexible as ever. Seals have no problem sitting unless there is weight on them - they take a set and are no longer round. That can cause leakage but if the bushings are in good shape that doesn't usually happen.

 

Funny cause I have tore apart lots of old trannys that worked fine when we parked it(10 years ago) and find the lip seals hard as a rock and that be the only problem. but I guess any transmission that has been ran has had heat huh?

 

The C4 in my Maverick runs fine right now too - but I know the seals in the forward clutch are hard as rock. It hesitates just a tiny bit when it goes into drive. I need to get around to building a transmission for it. It has 41 years and just over 100000 miles on it. I haven't had the chance to build one for it before now. so it will be next unless a customer needs one first.

 

Wait paul did you just admit that you were incorect I hate to break it to ya bud but your not the only transmission builder out there. I have set back and watched you "discuss" your "opinions" for quite a while and stayed out of it......but this fella asked for eveyones opinion. and as far as I can tell I am as qualified to give my opinions as you are to yours.

 

Incorrect about what?
I have been too busy to build a transmission for a car I drive every day.
I am not the only builder - but I am 1 of only 2 that I trust, the other being Broader Performance.
The o-rings that I refer to are in my rebuild stock - they are on the wall and in boxes.

btw: I have been wrong many times - I do discuss my professonal opinions. When you have made a living building transmissions you make mistakes - fixing them before the customer gets the tranny is what it is all about.

Congratulations on having an opinion.