Thread: How to tell if a trans is good

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Hi Guys I just picked up a turbo 350 and the guy said its a good trans. I would hate to put it in the car and find out its junk. Is there anything i can do to check it out befor i take it to a transmission shop? What would a transmission shop check for ? Whats the average cost to rebuild a turbo 350? Anybody in the wilmington nc area want to check it out let me know.

Most trany shops have a dyno that they can check it out for you.

I can't help you with what you can check at home, other than pull the pan and look at the fluid and for any sediment. The shop might be able to run a pressure check on it, but will likely tell you that you're looking at tearing it down for a rebuild to be sure. Our local independent gets $1500 to $1800, but that's R&R too so you might save a bit carrying it in. For a shop I'd visit a couple of independent auto repair shops that you know have good reputation, and ask them where they send tranny's for work. Most of them don't do them in house, and they use the best independent shop in the area for their customer's cars. If you tell them you have a tranny out for a project they should be give the recommendation.

About the only way you can tell at first is to give it 'the sniff' test. If the oil is dark brown or if it is empty smells burned, walk away. Then the sight test - and that's to pull the pan and look at the filter and the sediment as Roger noted. I wouldn't put much money into a used transmission when there are several fairly good companies who will sell you one for less than a $1000 bucks and set up for a low level of performance. Automatic Transmissions - SummitRacing.com. The first 3-4 here are $660-950. I'm not going to get into the merits of any of the rebuilders, but all will do the job just fine with an occasional dud. My TCI Ford C4 Street Fighter has been fine.

Good advise. Don't do what I did years ago. I bought a 350 tranny and pulled the dip stick and the oil looked good so I got it at a good price. About 20 miles down the road after installing, it froze up and started smoking. Pulled the pan and it was full of clutch material. I learned quickly now to pull the pan and see whats in the filter.

Originally Posted by chevy 37

Good advise. Don't do what I did years ago. I bought a 350 tranny and pulled the dip stick and the oil looked good so I got it at a good price. About 20 miles down the road after installing, it froze up and started smoking. Pulled the pan and it was full of clutch material. I learned quickly now to pull the pan and see whats in the filter.

This is good advice.

Although, even if the oil looks good with little sediment, there is nothing telling you if the seals are ''crispy''.

I tore down a th350 this morning, found clean oil, nice clutch plates but the seals on the low/reverse apply piston were hard.

Is the transmission standard shift or automatic? If standard shift, it should shift smoothly with no gear rake as you manually shift it, have little or no oil leaks and make no noise or vibration. For an automatic, again check for oil leaks and avoid a car with a greasy transmission. Hold the brake and put the car is drive with the engine running. You should feel a very mild jerk.