Thread: Tips buying used Automatic

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Hi guys,
I'm looking for a used TH 350 for a '79 Firebird project. I have a fresh 350 cu. engine for it, but I have been out of the scene for about 8 years, so things are a little foggy right now.

What should I look for when buying a used trans? How long can they sit before clutches go bad, etc? What is a good price for a used tranny in decent-good shape? Any other tips/info much appreciated.

If you are talking about buying one out of a wreck, prices will vary from yard to yard. Our local pick and pull charges about $ 150, and regular yards have prices that are all over the place.

As for condition, if it is still in the car, look at the car itself. What does it look like conditionwise? What is milage on car? Does tranny look origina, or is it cleaner, perhaps having been replaced at some point?

Pull dipstick and check condition of fluid, is it nice and red with no burnt smell? Look at the tailshaft and under the flywheel cover to see if any tell tale red fluid is leaking from the seals. What kind of guarantee will yard offer? If you buy one, pull the pan and put in a new filter and gasket before use.

Now, that being said, I am not a fan of used transmissions. I was going to buy one locally just to keep the cost down on my project T bucket, but when I thought about it, I bought one on Ebay from Jackson Racing Transmissions, all rebuilt, for $ 450 delivered to my door, and it came with a convertor.

If you are buying one that is out of the car, the only thing you can do is assess the overall condition and see what warranty is offered.

Don

PS: Welcome to the forum and back to hot rodding.

Here, I pulled this up on Ebay for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PONTI...mZ260144100388

I know it must sound like I work for Jackson because I always say what a great deal they offer, but I don't. We have bought 3 transmissions so far from them, and they are super to deal with. Their ebay rating is over 2000 with 100 percent positive.

Every once in a while they forget to put a reserve on an item, and I sneak in there and buy one real cheap, but even the one in the ad I copied for you is a super deal.

Just thought I would offer you another alternative.

Don

I don't know the transmission company Don is referring to but there are several that do a good job that advertise on the internet - even TCI has a pretty good performance TH-350 for less then $800. IMO a junkyard tranny without a rebuild is just asking for trouble down the line in the form of lots of money and labor. It's usually about the time you are loading the little lady into the car and going off to some important function that it decides to quit

Think I'd pay close attention to Don's post!!!! Got to go there and do some shopping myself, Jackie sez the Camaro has to have an automatic. Some hip problems making running a clutch kind of tough for here. Thanks for the reminder on Jackson, Don!!!!! youdaman!!!!!!

Don, if I could find a remanufactured tranny for $450 that would be fantastic. All those Jackson trannys look like great buys. Thanks for the info on buying a trans and Jackson. I saw your thread on building a car for under $3000. Nice work, looking good!

Honestly I'm on a very tight budget right now. I stopped re-doing the car back in about 2000. I already had purchased a remanufactured engine, new Holley carb, etc. when life made other plans. So, I was hoping to buy something freshly rebuilt or w/ decent mileage from a private seller. I only have about $350 to spend on a tranny.

Thanks for the responses guys. It is very, very nice to be back in the hot rodding hobby. I forgot how it gets in your blood!