Thread: Transmission swap...

Hey guys,
I was having some TCC oscillation problems at first, and I finally concurred that with a new valve body\channel plate. Then I had a really bad 1-2 shift, with the PCS being new. It has 230,000 on it, so it was time to find a lower mile unit. I picked up a 130k 4t65E (not HD) with TC for $67 and tore into it a bit to change it over to an HD. Once I got into it that far, I figured hey, why not? And really ripped it apart. Originally I hadn't panned on replacing the clutches, but now that I have it apart I might if I can get a hold of a set by Friday. If not, I'll just shim it a little to tighten up the clutch pack. I enjoy tearing things apart, so if I end up having to do this again in say 50,000 miles that'd be fine by me. That'll take me at least 5 years.

I don't know anyone with a tuner so I have to stick with the 2.93s for now, but eventually it'll get 3.29s. I have a new hardened 4th shaft, hardened chains, a Sonnax upgrade valve body and channel plate with all new solenoids, gaskets for it all, and all the HD conversion stuff (on my current transmission). I'll be drilling my flywheel and using the smaller TC. Here's some pics of where I'm at so far, with a link to the album:





http://s14.photobucket.com/user/booba5/library/2000%20GTP/4t65e?sort=3&page=1

Thanks to Bill for helping me get this far! I would be totally lost without his help!

Well, the removal of my current transmission happens tomorrow, then I use parts from it to finish this one up. I have the clutches soaking in transmission fluid, and the case is pretty clean. not spotless, but clean enough. I also have the flywheel drilled out, although it might have just been practice, I might just drill out the one on the engine so I don't have to worry about taking it off. Here's a few pics of the case, I put some transmission fluid all over the important stuff after I cleaned, just in case some brake cleaner go on it.

I'm good, it causes all kinds of damage to the transmission since there are 2 sensors arguing over when to shift. I'll just save the stuff to swap it over and do it after I get a copy of HPT or DHP.

http://tripleedgeperformance.com/Har...fts-P0730.html

Well, transmission is done. It took forever, but it's done. By forever I mean 9 hours to inspect and reassemble all clutch packs, assemble everything, and go through the CP\VB. Not bad for my first time. That input drum, 3rd sprocket, sun gear, and reverse shell was a ***** to put in. One of the more frustrating things I've done in awhile. The 3rd sprocket fits into the input drum, which is kinda irritating, only because you have to get all the input and 3rd clutches lined up with the 3rd sprocket, not too bad. Then the sun gear goes into the third sprocket and the whole thing gets installed, not too bad, right? Yea, it goes in UPSIDE DOWN. What I ended up doing was putting it all together with the reverse shell around the input drum, then held the gears up in the input drum while I lowered the whole thing in. Luckily my arm fit right down where the parking arm reaches back to the parking sprag.

I'm taking today off from installing the transmission in the car, I'm beat and sleep deprived. I'll charge my batteries today and stab that son of a ***** tomorrow.

I forgot to mention I found a problem with the channel plate, one of the check ball's mating surfaces had a burr on it causing a leak. I was able to repair it with a small file and all is well. I looked up the check ball and I think it was the 2nd clutch check ball.

Was this the new transmissions channel plate or the reman one you bought?

The reman one I bought. It fixed my TCC problem, but had he 1-2 shift problem. The old transmission looked to be in pretty good shape for 230k+, the 2nd clutch stack had a few with black rings, and about .060" more clearance than the new transmission. I added a steel from the old transmission to the new transmission's stack and that brought the final clearance to .030". I also scrapped off the clutch material from an old third clutch and used it to shim up the new transmission's third stack, it's around .040". The inputs ended up at .052" which is a little too big, but it's the best I could do.

Sweet, well that makes me think that 230K isn't intimidating at all if everything gets checked out. New clutches would bring things back to spec right? And steel plates too I guess.

And you think the 1-2 shift issue was caused by the nick in the check ball channel? If so that's the bad part on the reman people

It's possible, but either way it needed to be fixed, so I'm happy I saw it. There was normal wear and tear on the reverse drum and the second clutch drum, and the thrust washers needed to be replaced, but that's easy. I'll probably be heading out there in a few minutes to do the finishing touches on everything and I'll get some pics of everything.

Transmission is in and shifts FANTASTIC!!!! I seriously couldn't be happier, it's barely a noticeable shift under light throttle. Under heavier throttle, it gradually gets harder. Every shift is like this, they almost all feel the exact same, actually. Reverse no longer clunks or anything, I have nothing to complain about it all...other than I didn't take very many pictures.

Sounds awesome.. glad it's a happy trans.

My first time.. I did all the seals and clutch pistons etc, when you say forever.. I totally understand you. BTW. I've been able to put in that stackup in pieces. It's still not fun..but it's slightly easier. Another thing that helps is not putting it together when the trans is on it's pan, like you had to do.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Sounds awesome.. glad it's a happy trans.

My first time.. I did all the seals and clutch pistons etc, when you say forever.. I totally understand you. BTW. I've been able to put in that stackup in pieces. It's still not fun..but it's slightly easier. Another thing that helps is not putting it together when the trans is on it's pan, like you had to do.

I didn't put it together on it's pan, I bolted the bell housing down to my bench, so the output shaft as vertical during reassembly. I ended up being elbow deep to get that stack in.

Still sucks putting it together without that one tool that the book calls out. I've been on the look out for one.. just because one use would be worth it to me.