Hi There.

I'm looking for feedback from those with experience in rebuilding D1 transmissions. There is one locally in good condition that I could buy on the cheap. Between $500 and $1000. 120k on the engine and tranny. The owner says the transmission is "shot."

I'm just a software engineer guy, and like to work on cars on the weekends. I currently drive a 96 D1 and love it. I do most work on my cars at home, but have never done anything more ambitious than a few timing belts or ball joint replacement. No engine swaps etc under my belt.

Is a transmissions rebuild something one can accomplish from reading books and getting their hands dirty? Or is it only to be trusted to professionals?

 

IMO I would advise against it. I doubt you will find anyone here who has experience rebuilding trannys. I remember doing it in tech school and it was an in depth process. You could spend hours doing it and putting it in only to find out it won't shift into 3rd gear. The process also requires special tools in order to do it right.

I would suggest http://www.roverlandparts.com/ as a reliable source for rebuilt trannys.

 

Wether it was a manual or an automatic, I would say "NO".
With out the past skills and tools, you wouldn't get far.

 

I would say no as well. You can find used trannys all over. It takes quite a bit of stupidity to blow one. They are pretty sturdy. I got a similar find and got a used tranny for $250. Not too bad to swap. Now I just have to decide whether I want a trail rig to keep at the lake, or a "pimp my ride" tailgate vehicle.

 

I've seen a few used tranmissions online for < $500 shipped. You're right...maybe a swap would be the way to go.

 

Lovin' the new Signature Okdiscoguy!

 

I'm going to be rebuilding one of my R380's after the first of the year, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

www.autosportsunlimited.com

 

I've rebuilt 4 automatic transmissions and numerous manuals. I was meticulous in the process and to my knowledge none ever failed as long as the people I knew owned the cars (I would ask people when I would see them). My brother has also rebuilt a couply trannys too. People seem to think working on automatic transmissions is a form of black art. In reality a transmission is a bunch of set pasageways and check valves, clutch packs and bands. For the most part, there's little or nothing to adjust or calibrate. If you have a decent book, it's pretty straight forward, not much harder than rebuilding an engine. I rebuilt my first one when I was in High School. Of course I had rebuilt several engines and cars by that time.

When you take them apart, worn parts generally present themselves pretty quickly. The vast majority of the time it comes down to replacing the pump, bands, clutch packs, bearings and misc part that come in the kit (which you can buy from Transtar and other places at least for most applications). If the tranny you're looking at is just slipping, it'll be easy. If it gernaded, then you could end up sticking in a bunch of $$ parts. The first one is the most intimidating, after that, it gets easier.

I would say if you want to rebuild it to save money, you're better off finding one that's good because it is going to be more time consuming than you think. The biggest stumbling block you could possibly run into is a need for tools you don't have. In most cases I've been able to improvise, but in some cases I've had to borrow a special press, or socket from guys I knew I could borrow from. These aren't always needed for a one time rebuild, but sometimes they are. If you want a fun project and learn a lot, go for it.

Manual trans are super easy. I especially like doing them. But again, they take quite a bit of time as well ...if you are careful at it.

Good luck,

Mark G

 

Yeah, I've done quite a few Series gearboxes, just never an R380.