George/Stan, it wasn't the outcome I was hoping for either. I was hoping that I just made a minor mistake, and it would be an easy fix..... again, my gut grumbled at my brain for thinking that. "You know what it is." it said. "It's that pump that I told you was too tight. Converter is probably galded in the support bushing too!" And it was. Took a slide hammer to get the converter off. I'm going to pull the input shaft out and check it out real good too. Make sure it didn't damage it getting the converter off. You guys both know this stuff happens. We've all BTDT. I've made my fair share of mistakes, and although this really isn't my fault, I have to share some of the blame because I thought the pump was too tight. I said it before already, and I'll say it again..... every time my gut tells me something and my brain says "Nah, it'll be fine." I end up in this position. I agree Stan... when my gut tells me something, I need to listen better! Never was a good listener.
Thanks Randy! Speaking of labor.... I'm not going to lie. I don't do this type of work often anymore, and I was still sore from putting the T-case in on Monday. I actually had a friends of mine's son come work with me today to give me a hand. I didn't want to pull that t-case and big old trans by myself on the floor today. He was good help too! Took 2 hours to get it out and tore down, so I'm not too slow yet.
Probably took 20 min at least to get the converter off the pump!
Trent, you have missed out! I already rebuilt it, this all happened after I tried to run the trans for the first time. Broke the pump, honestly, when I started it. So, out it came again. Good news is, the t-case I rebuilt seems fine.... so far.
Just so you guys know, (who haven't rebuilt an automatic) and I'm not bragging... (more like complaining) rebuilding a trans usually isn't too expensive. Most of the time $600 to $800 is a lot of parts to put in. Custom builds you can get stupid money in parts. I went mid line. Truck only has a 350CI, (bone stock, maybe...MAYBE 280/300 hp). I built the trans to hold about 600 HP and about 500 ftlbs torque. Even if I build a better engine I should be fine. To make it hold that I would have had to use a different converter, but the internals are there. Between the trans and the t-case, I've got real close $2K in it. At this point, I just want to drive my truck.
