Re: [Amc-list] 64 Rambler Classic question

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

I was referring to JUST a transmission rebuild, not the engine. He was 
asking about replacing the drivetrain because the transmission was 
slipping. $800 might be a bit low even for the trans rebuild, could be 
more. I did state that was with the bare trans delivered to the shop, do 
the R&R yourself. Been a while since I had one rebuilt. If it's not real 
bad I'd attempt the rebuild myself armed with a TSM, but it's a daunting 
task! Lots of little things, and the assembly area must be pretty clean. 
I spread an old clean sheet on my work table after cleaning up the shop 
area. The only problem I had is I worked a couple hours a day for 
several days -- would have been easier had I been able to start one 
Saturday morning and finish up Sunday afternoon. Had a couple days in 
the middle I couldn't work too! That worried me a bit -- it's almost 
like starting over when you go back in the middle of something 
complicated that you've never done before! Of course mine didn't work 
any better when done, but it had a serious shifting problem, wouldn't go 
into anything but first and reverse. It turned out to have a bad valve 
body, didn't need rebuilding as I assumed. Nothing was stuck in the VB, 
not that would come out anyway (even after hot tanking at a shop later). 
Had to replace it. In the case of slipping it's usually just simple wear 
on the clutches and bands, and/or seals in the servos. A simple rebuild 
should fix that with not problems at all, and the Borg Warner is a 
pretty simple auto trans. The only thing sort of hard to get in is the 
sealing rings in the center. They can be coated with grease or vaseline, 
wrapped with aluminum foil, compressed with a hose clamp (or two, forget 
how wide the area is, but I think one will do it), then stuck in the 
freezer. The grease/vaseline freezes and holds them compressed. Just be 
ready to install when it comes out of the freezer, especially on a hot 
day! The new kit rings are teflon and less prone to cracking than the 
originals and old kits (from the late 60s) -- they had cast iron sealing 
rings. --------------- Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:39:13 -0500 From: Matt 
Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx> <snip>

> > If you're using it as a Sunday driver/cruiser, I'd keep the 232 and original transmission. If you pull the trans (not that hard!) and reinstall it should be around $800 or so to have it totally rebuilt. $1200-$1500 if they R&R.
>   
</snip>

$800 is way low on having it rebuilt. When the motor on my 67 was redone 
a few years ago, parts and machine shop labor where about $2000 
(including tax). 

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

_______________________________________________
Amc-list mailing list
Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list