Convertors and Trannies....

[jmbrodsky@domain.elided]

     Binders with hair,...
     
        With all this talk of Transmissions and Convertors, I have to 
     chime in.  How can the tranny shop, afford to rebuild my 
     trannies, with all new seals, clutches and bands, (new park sprag 
     etc.) AND give me a new Hughes convertor WITH a drain plug for 
     $250?  basically, the convertors, I've had in the past, have all 
     had a drain plug, and the new ones, always do as well.  I 
     wouldn't run without one.  My guess is that you can find 
     convertors (stock stall) for around $30.  The hi-po ones from 
     mail order start around $80 and go up.  My tranny shop says that 
     it's best to replace it when you do the tranny since:  If you 
     cook a seal, or blow a bushing or something, you have to pull the 
     whole thing to work on it.  Peace of mind is an issue here, as 
     well as potential down time.  The input nub on a Torque convertor 
     usually begins to wear from even the slightest misalignment, and 
     the four attachment points to the flywheel can fatigue.
     
        If it costs even $20 for the fluids and such to flush the 
     convertor, is it really worth it?  For a new one to be $30?  
     Seems like new seals beat the pants off 30 years old seals in a 
     hearbeat!
     
        Ken, about the seals for the transmission and transfer case.  
     John L, did the transfer case seal kit.  I used the old mating 
     gasket when I put mine back in.  I never did the tranny myself.  
     It just doesn't pay.  It would take me a freakin week, and still 
     leak when I'm done.  Best left to the pros from my point of view. 
     A manual, I've done.  You can limp a manual home.  An Auto, 
     forget it.  Take a bicycle.
     

     -Joel Brodsky
        www.physics.arizona.edu/~jbrodsky

         '76 IHC Scout II 345/tf727 RE8000, Cibie40s, custom 
                rear tire rack, 6 different color body panels.
                Not much sport, all utility.
         '75 IHC Travelall 150 4wd 392/tf727 Hummer brush guard, 
                3/4T rear springs, Hella Rallye 2000s, Con-Ferr 5x7,
                Class IV hitches front and rear, 3" Exhaust.
                1st Place, Rocky Mountain IH Rendezvous,
                3rd Place, Tulare IH Western Regionals.
         '74 IHC Travelall 150? 2wd 392/tf727 "The 'new' one"
                Factory AM/FM, Cruise, Tilt, AC, Captains Chairs,
                Rblt, Alt, carb, fuel pump, ps pump, water pump, dash,
                seats, rear door, starter, master cyl, what could be left?