Turbo 400 Build

[Alljackedup408]

very very nice.

 

[oneluckypops]

Got any special tricks to installing the direct piston in the drum, besides using 2-3 c-clamps and alot of cursing?

Sure do. I suppose you are talking about getting the piston down in the drum without tearing up the lip seals??? I have a little tool, that I found my accident one time at a paint supply store in he hobby paints area. You are supposed to use a tool made with wire end on it, but I have never used one. In the beggining I used feeler guages. You want something thin and flexible with out sharp edges to not tear the seals. Its industry standard to use what they call lip seal tool, Its junk in my opinon. Here is a pic of it, then I'll get a pic of my tool and update this post with what I use.

I think he is referring to the piston compressor, How ever I am sure he will like to see "your" lip seal tool. I guess when you get this write up dont then I might go ahead and do one on the E model trannys.

 

[Draenor]

I think he is referring to the piston compressor, How ever I am sure he will like to see "your" lip seal tool. I guess when you get this write up dont then I might go ahead and do one on the E model trannys.

Yup....I would like to see this tool also, as I have been using the feeler guage method.

 

[hotrodpc]

Ohhh yeah, thanks for the clarification Pops. Sure do I have a couple suggestion for that if you don't have the special tool. You are talking about a clutch spring compressor. I have one. But before I had that, I made my own tool out of a long bolt and and bent a piece of flat steel like a big U as fingers, then put the big bolt thru the center hole, with a piece of flat metal as a huge washer and a nut on the back side. As the nut tightened it compressed the spring retainer so I could get the snap ring off. But here is what I use. There are differant styles of cluch spring compressors. I like this one since it can be bench mounted and bolted down solid, and does not take up a bunch of space. There is also an adapter for this one that I do not yet have since I never needed it, but its for deep drums. Chances are the time comes, I need it, I'll make my own adapter.

 

[hotrodpc]

I think he is referring to the piston compressor, How ever I am sure he will like to see "your" lip seal tool. I guess when you get this write up dont then I might go ahead and do one on the E model trannys.

Get busy with it Pops. No need to wait buddy. I wanna see you write up the modern transmissions.

BTW, I updated that lip seal tool post. The pics are up there. ^^^^^^^^^^^ A few posts back.

 

[Draenor]

Ohhh yeah, thanks for the clarification Pops. Sure do I have a couple suggestion for that if you don't have the special tool. You are talking about a clutch spring compressor. I have one. But before I had that, I made own tool out of a long bolt and and bent a piece of flat steel like a big U as fingers, then put the big bolt thru the center hole, with a piece of flat metal as a huge washer and a nut on the back side. As the nut tightened it compressed the spring retainer so I could get the snap ring off. But here is what I use.

I guess I could try the U bolt idea next time. I do this so few and far between, the tool pictured is out of my league. But damn that is nice.

 

[hotrodpc]

Ohhh yeah, thanks for the clarification Pops. Sure do I have a couple suggestion for that if you don't have the special tool. You are talking about a clutch spring compressor. I have one. But before I had that, I made own tool out of a long bolt and and bent a piece of flat steel like a big U as fingers, then put the big bolt thru the center hole, with a piece of flat metal as a huge washer and a nut on the back side. As the nut tightened it compressed the spring retainer so I could get the snap ring off. But here is what I use.

I guess I could try the U bolt idea next time. I do this so few and far between, the tool pictured is out of my league. But damn that is nice.

Its real nice. I bought it over 20 years ago for about a $100 or a little over. I bet they are more than that now. Its very adjutable, and has the ratchet type lock down, so you can compress it, let go of it, then work your snap ring off. It also has a hole in the base, so you can put drum in it, that also have the input shaft attatched and not have to removed the input shaft at all for your build. This tool saves you alot of steps, grief and frustation. It has paid for itself 100X over as much as I have used it.

 

[hotrodpc]

One last post before I run off for few hours. The moment I been waiting for !!! Does this donor trans have the sprag drum I want that will updgrade this transmission or not. We are one snap ring away from finding out.

WOO FRIGGIN HOO !!! Yippee !!! $100-$150 drum out of a $50 Trans. Lovin It !!! And its in perfect condition !!!

 

[oneluckypops]

Ohhh yeah, thanks for the clarification Pops. Sure do I have a couple suggestion for that if you don't have the special tool. You are talking about a clutch spring compressor. I have one. But before I had that, I made own tool out of a long bolt and and bent a piece of flat steel like a big U as fingers, then put the big bolt thru the center hole, with a piece of flat metal as a huge washer and a nut on the back side. As the nut tightened it compressed the spring retainer so I could get the snap ring off. But here is what I use.

I guess I could try the U bolt idea next time. I do this so few and far between, the tool pictured is out of my league. But damn that is nice.

Its real nice. I bought it over 20 years ago for about a $100 or a little over. I bet they are more than that now. Its very adjutable, and has the ratchet type lock down, so you can compress it, let go of it, then work your snap ring off. It also has a hole in the base, so you can put drum in it, that also have the input shaft attatched and not have to removed the input shaft at all for your build. This tool save you alot of steps, grief and frustation. It has paid for itself 100X over as much as I have used it.

LOL yea 20 years ago was a long time ago. Its about doubled in price now. But IMO there is no substitute. I have a different style that uses a screw down method which works just not as fast, I have used the ratchet compressor and it is definetly in my list of things to buy next.

BTW HotRod as far as the write up goes for me I will have to have a tranny to rebuild I guess maybe I should go ahead and take a few small jobs on again. Then again concrete season is getting ready to start boooming again for the year so its gonna have to be a drawn out afair.

 

[hotrodpc]

LOL yea 20 years ago was a long time ago. Its about doubled in price now. But IMO there is no substitute. I have a different style that uses a screw down method which works just not as fast, I have used the ratchet compressor and it is definetly in my list of things to buy next.

BTW HotRod as far as the write up goes for me I will have to have a tranny to rebuild I guess maybe I should go ahead and take a few small jobs on again. Then again concrete season is getting ready to start boooming again for the year so its gonna have to be a drawn out afair.

No Rush Pops. I know these friggen things are time consuming as hell. But hopefully many will get good use of them. Seems you and I are the only ones do transmissions. I don't claim to be any expert either. I can do Tubro 350 and Turbo 400's blindfolded in my sleep. Still have to pay attention on 700r4's and really have to pay attnetion of the E models if you are not rebuilding the exact trans that came out of the vehicle and even then, you must still pay close attention if you need to replace parts, they are not as interchangeable as the older models are, and you have to know which will interchange, and what will not, and also what upgrades are backwards compatible and which are not. So even if you post some of your experiences, I am sure I'll learn alot. Especially since I already know a little better than just the basics.