Thread: can a novice rebuild a th350?

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In everyones expert opinion can a decent shade tree machanic rebuild a th350?I have built a couple of engines and hot rodded every car I owned since high school.But I have never tore into a tranny.I have found a performance kit at northernautoparts.com for $110,to have one rebuilt by a local shop will cost over $300,not a huge savings but the knowledge I will gain is really what I am looking for.A friend said its really not that hard but I need more opinions.Will I need any special tools?Thanks for your help.

Thanks Denny I am really thinking about diving into this.I only paid $50 for the trans and it worked for a little while.I pulled the pan when I first got the trans and the pan was clean.But after just a mile of driving it stopped pulling and the pan was full of some sort of black fiber looking stuff which filled the filter and stopped the fluid flow.So I know its dirty inside.I pulled the trans right away.If I dont find one soon i"ll try rebuilding this one. If it doesnt work Ill only be out about $175.

Y'know, everyone was a novice at some time or another. Turbo 350's aren't all that bad to rebuild, harder than a Torqueflite but 'way easier than a C6. If you can find a mechanic buddy to kinda look over your shoulder and slap you if you do anything really dumb, so much the better!

When I did my first one I just got a nice big clean table where I could lay everything out in the order I took it out. Cleaned everything ( clean is good) and put it back together in reverse order. It's just a matter of taking your time and paying attention.

Haynes makes great teck book from general motors. Automatic transmission overhaul , step by step with pictures. I learned thru my dad first time , over my shoulder. If you want the book I'll send it to you.

I kinda like the slap upside the head part. TH350's are a good starting point to understand tranny's period. Like Pope and Denny and Cookster said, there are manuals that go step by step with cautionary prodeedures to make you follow without much difficulty. Not comfortable with the build? Go get some favors and stick to the builder like glue until you get him really P.O.'d and you will still walk away with knowledge of the internals of a tranny from a basic standpoint.

Try www.transmissioncenter.net the DVD is $30 and they have a great website.

when i was working at the tranny shop they started anybody who wanted to learn how to build a tranny out on t-350 or t-400's because they are damn near a cake walk.

Rebuilt my first one in my 37 and I had spoken with Denny on this and the best advice he gave me was to clean everything out and keep everyting in order. Came out nice but took me longer than expected to finish because of missing tools.

Thanks for all the great advice.Will the tools needed to do this be very expensive?You all say to clean everything well, but what do I use to clean all the parts?Its funny how you learn quicker with a good swat across the head.LOL.

Tools I used but not all included a dial indicator, feeler gauges,pump puller, torque wrench. The best thing to do is buy a tranny catalog on how to rebuild.

I rebuilt my first 400 a few years ago. As said above the 400 and 350 aren`t difficult. And you learn much if you`ve never "been" inside a AT before. So go for it. Heynes book is great to follow. Dont think i needed any special tools for the 400 exept measuring gages and torque wrench (+ some thin walled sockets)
I spent lots of time making sure everything was right the first time.Was very pleased (+ saved $US 2000 wich it what a rebuild costs here in Norway)

Ian

Denny said: If I lived close, I could come over and help you out on it.


Since you don't live all that close, why not just ship it to him.

Never turn down an offer of help, and never let a little thing like distance stand in the way.

[QUOTE=mopar34]Denny said: If I lived close, I could come over and help you out on it.


Since you don't live all that close, why not just ship it to him.

Never turn down an offer of help, and never let a little thing like distance stand in the way.[/QUO

Hey Denny nothing like a LITTLE road trip......Texas aint that far or is it?LOL