Turbo 400 Build - Mega Carnage to Better than New.

[HotRodPC]

That one trany looks nasty.

Yes, it was very nasty. It was a CL purchase where my customer was told it was a good running transmisison, that all he had to do was change the fluid and filter, then install it. Yeah right !!! The thing has been submerged in water and mud. The pan was full of water and mud, and there was even water and mud up in the clutch drums. It obviously had sat and soaked in muddy water.

 

[HotRodPC]

I think it will be easier to follow if you keep the dissasembly and assembly threads separate boss.

You're probably right. I might do that when the time comes. Time permitting.

 

[davbell22602]

You're probably right. I might do that when the time comes. Time permitting.

Waiting patiently

 

[HotRodPC]

Kinda cool I guess. I missed alot of steps in this build. I am building a Th400 now and kinda stuck and reffering to my own thread.
I am at the point of Post #16 Pic #2 ready to put the next drum in, and it just seems to me there should be a Torrington bearing or at least a Thrust washer over the nose of the center support for the drum to ride on. None of my exploded views are showing one. I am not showing one here, and I can't think of a part available that should be there. I guess it doesn't get one. I'm going for it without one. At the end after the pump is on, I'll check the front end play and if its to loose, then I'll sure know I missed something won't I??? This is when you come into some questions. I am building a transmission out of a broken case I had repaired, then with all my left over Th400 parts, and a new gasket and seal kit, I am putting together a Th400 for the 88 Burb. Just pretty much a stocker OEM trans with a Stage 1 RV/Heavy Duty shift kit since its a 3/4 ton Burb and I'll likley be towing my trailer and other trucks with it. Want to keep it cooler with comfy but firm quick shifts. Nothing neck breaking. Just a good solid firm shift.

Also when I get some parts in my hands that are on the way, I'll have some goodies to talk about.

Since I skipped so much in this thread, I might add a Valve Body disassembly and pump disassemble to this thread. Kind of important parts I did not incuded in the last build.

 

[HotRodPC]

Waiting patiently

WTH are you talking about Dave?? You say in the Th350 Build thread you didn't see this Th400 Build thread. Obviously you did. You have a post here on it back in February. So look it over if you want. This is the transbuild from 84C20 that I bought for $100 with the newer 454 and the Th400 was toasted as you can tell. One of the nastiest tranmissions I have built. Thing was burnt up worse than any other I had seen.

 

[Manbearpig]

700r4, 4L60-E DO NOT use a center support

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[HotRodPC]

Yeah, that is a reffered to as a center support, but its not like a Th400 by any stretch. That is more like a fixed member that has a 1 way overrun clutch going thru it.
On the Th400, the Center Support is much longer, is bushed all the way thru the whole length, and uses a joining shaft to connect the shafts and make them completely bridged.

 

[HotRodPC]

Here is a good one of the Th400, I'm not seeing a Thrust Washer or Torrington Bearing.

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[HotRodPC]

Here is my parts I was expecing. Remember the deal about these and how rare they are??? I got 2 of them delivered for $55. $20ea x 2 + $15 shipping. I have seen these drums go for $150-$200 EACH on eBay before. See Post #16 of this thread for a better explanation of what they are. These will be put on the shelf for all out Hi Po builds. Maybe something with over 600hp and a Transbrake.

 

[Manbearpig]

Yeah, that is a reffered to as a center support, but its not like a Th400 by any stretch. That is more like a fixed member that has a 1 way overrun clutch going thru it.
On the Th400, the Center Support is much longer, is bushed all the way thru the whole length, and uses a joining shaft to connect the shafts and make them completely bridged.

Ah interesting

I only posted those pics cause I read that statement and started searching if there was a way to swap one in

 

[fleetfoote]

Thank you. Great article.

 

[85HeavyChevy]

Lookin' great. Thinking 'bout putting a shift kit in my TH400. Keep it up.

 

[J Knight]

HR, I've been considering doing a manual valve body but if I don't and want to use the kick down feature, can I buy a complete harness and switch or do I have to rob it off of another square?

 

[HotRodPC]

HR, I've been considering doing a manual valve body but if I don't and want to use the kick down feature, can I buy a complete harness and switch or do I have to rob it off of another square?

Hmm, now what do you mean a kickdown feature? A full manual valve body, there is nothing automatic about it. No passing gear, nothing. If you want passing gear, you shift it down yourself. All 100% of any function is manual. It's just like a manual transmission without a clutch and a straight line shift pattern, and most likely a Reverse Pattern. It's been awhile since I looked into a Full Manual Valve Body, I think I only did 1 Th400 in FMVB and 3 Th350's. Most everyone's trans I worked on, My stage 2 was good enough to chirp 2nd and snap necks so most just went with that.

 

[J Knight]

HR, I've been considering doing a manual valve body>>> but if I don't <<<and want to use the kick down feature, can I buy a complete harness and switch or do I have to rob it off of another square?

Hmm, now what do you mean a kickdown feature? A full manual valve body, there is nothing automatic about it. No passing gear, nothing. If you want passing gear, you shift it down yourself. All 100% of any function is manual. It's just like a manual transmission without a clutch and a straight line shift pattern, and most likely a Reverse Pattern. It's been awhile since I looked into a Full Manual Valve Body, I think I only did 1 Th400 in FMVB and 3 Th350's. Most everyone's trans I worked on, My stage 2 was good enough to chirp 2nd and snap necks so most just went with that.

I don't think you read my post correctly, I know all about the manual valve body stuff, I was wondering about adding the kickdown feature. My truck doesn't have the kickdown harness, is there a place I can get one new one and the switch?