Some of you might remember about my trans leaking fluid? I never did find the leak. I had it taken to a rep. trans shop. They took a look and called me and said that the case is cracked??!! Anybody have an idea why?? I've NEVER bottomed out in the car. It's that one day it just cracked, I don't remember but I'm pretty sure it didn't start out with a little dip. It just up and cracked one day. The car is still a #'s car. Do you think it can be repaired? I know it's made out of alu.I'm just wondering what road I should take. The car IS for sale. Does a different trans. make it go down in value? I know that right now it's just a 81 Vette and I don't know how far down the line it will go before it starts to gain value. The rest of the car is real nice. The engine was pulled so it could be up graded and while it was apart they rebuilt it. Different heads, cam, intake, Headman hedders, I'm sure they probably did more because this 81 will burn the tires from a stop at will!! so I've still got the orginal engine.

Depends on WHERE they say it is cracked, Mike...
The 350 can develop cracks in a couple of places, the most common being at the rear, by the tailhousing. Seems like yours was leaking at the front, passenger area tho, right?
See can you find out WHERE the crack is...if possible, have them show it to you.
As far as having it repaired, again, it depends on where the damage is. Numbers car? With a ZZ4? Did I miss sumptin?


IF the case is busted to where it can't be repaired, you really don't have much choice but to replace the case. Then, you need to disclose this to whomever buys it from you. Adams' Apple2008-11-26 20:10:48

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Joel Adams
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Man I forgot about the ZZ4. I'm still struggleing with my long and short term memory. Like my spelling, I've had to learn that all over again at about the 4th grade level. Almost everyday I'll come accross something else that I need to challenge myself on. So if I need a new case instead of a new trans maybe I'll get out of there for less that I figure but I doubht it Here's something that you all might find funny, I do. I do have the #'s matching engine and it's in the shed all buttoned up with lube and what not. Well I had to go get my chain saw the other day and I see a big tarp covering up something. I got the saw and went about my business. I now know what it is. Thanks guys.zgator2008-11-26 22:18:35

Hang in there Mike.... I understand your memory woes... I had brain surgery and have gone through most likely all of the issues you are experiencing. (shucks y'all didn't think ah wuz always like this did ya?)

As for your tranny it is possible to repair the crack by welding it depending on the location if you feel the need to retain the OEM tranny. Me I would just swap it out and beef up the new one a tad bit.

Good luck with your decision!

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Well the one thats in there now has a shift kit in it. I found the leak while driving home from work. I was stopped at a light and all this smoke was just rolling out from under the car. The fluid was dropping down on my exhaust. I was 18 miles from home so I don't know if I cooked something or not. More than likley I did do some damage to the cluch dics. I had a viberation in the drive line up to about 55 then it was smooth again. I hope to find out more tomorrow. If I need another Trans. can they take out my shift kit and put it into my new trans or do you think that might not be cost efective? I'm not concerned right now about the #'s thing because it's just an 81 and I doubght there is much, if any collector value to it. Like I said before, it is for sale so that where I'm at right now. zgator2008-11-27 14:28:31

For no more than the shift pak cost I would just install a new one. Some used parts are okay to use over, internal parts I wouldn't do unless I was on a tight budget or just was messin around.

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You can swap the "guts" out of your "original" trans into another case, no problem. All that's needed is a few gaskets.
If the trans was damaged(clutches burnt) by running it low on fluid due to the leak, then an O/H might be a good idea, but the "shift kit" will transfer from one trans to the other without any issues.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"