Trany failure

[ColoradoReatta]

I have been viewing this forum for several months, but.... have not had time to register or use the forum. Have recieved a lot of info. from you guys (& gals). THANKS! On my way to work yesterday I lost my tranny fluid and now it's TOAST. Are there any suggestions from you as to which path I might take, other that the most obvious such as the local AAMCO/& etc. I have a 88 with 93,000 on it. I want to keep the car as it is fun to drive and can be a pain to own. Was wondering about upgrade/modifications options. This was totally a surprise as I just had fluid, filter, gasget change done 8,000 miles back!

[Guest imported_daddy3jr8]

Colorado,

Did you lose fluid from cooling line? You may be able to replace line and fluid and be back on the road. Happened to me in truck - fixed line - put in fluid and all was well. After you fix line, put in 4 - 5 qts. then start and slowlyadd until to full line ( may take 10 - 12 qts.). DO NOT OVERFILL!!!!!!!!!! Hope it works for you. Sure a lot cheaper than new tranny!

Wayne

[Doug Harness]

I've had transmissions rebuilt in two GM cars in the past ten years. My worst experience was with an AAMCO shop. After I picked up the car, it wouldn't shift out of second gear. When I returned a few minutes later, I had to threaten to stop payment on the check to even get the arrogant jerks to take it for a test drive.

My best experience was last year. A friend who restores 60's Oldsmobiles, sent me to a small, independent shop. The guy had been doing transmission work for 30+ years. The transmission now shifts smoother than when the car was new. He also charged a lot less than the quotes I got from the chain shops. Ask around locally, maybe you'll have a similar experience.

[charlie1]

I put a GM rebuilt in my 1989 Riviera at 125k.

Still going strong at 255k. Just keep that fluid changed!

Charlie

[padgett]

I'd probably go with one of the remanufactured crate transmissions from AC-Delco (said to include torque converter). P/n for an '89 or '90 is 24212204 (2.97 - GMPD $1221 though I shudder to think what shipping would be) suspect a 24212205 (3.33) would fit. Anyone know why the '88 2.97 has a different part number (24212183) ? - later 4T60s were stronger.

Jasper may have a better guarentee but caveat: I have never bought either.

[charlie1]

As Info my GM Rebuilt came with a 3 year warranty 50k fortunately did not need it.

I paid $1379 discounted at my dealer and friend installed for $300.

Yes comes complete with a converter.purchased October 1997 part number 8676910.

By the way i think shipping from gm parts direct shipping is about $250. but no sales tax(unless you live in nc.) Do not know about return of core?

Charlie

[Shelby]

There are always some on Ebay in Arizona For $525. search 4t60

A friend on mine in the trans business likes them.

[ColoradoReatta]

Padget, if I understand you correctly the 88 has a 2.97 ratio, and the T460 in later years have a diffrent ratio such as the 3.33 you mentioned in your reply. Can the ratio be changed with out computer problems? What are the inherent problems with changing the tranny from one to the other?

[Reatta25]

Often when you lose fluid, the tranny just stops working and no damage is done.

Have seen this a lot. Repair, refill, and check.

Here it costs from $850 to $1250 roughly for an overhaul. There have been lots of upgrades to that tranny since 1990, and a competent overhauler will install them all. The rebuilt should be far more reliable than the original (some of which were dogs!)

If you can buy a factory rebuilt for a similar price, I might say go for it.