I'm still waiting on some interior stuff, but I drove this thing over about a mile to the gas station on sunday. the tranny whines. It seems to shift from 1st to 2nd ok but does not seem to want to hook up in 3rd. If you gas it a little and then let off it will shift into 3rd. It seems to slip a lot and its like its hunting for a gear. Called 2 places in OKC about remove and rebuild. $1000.00 to $1300.00 range. If it has to be rebuilt what about going to a tremec or keisler, whats the cost for one?

This things killing me but I love it.

Lonnie

Swapping to a standard is gonna cost waaaay more than fixin the 400.
Most of the time, when a 400 starts whinin, it needs the filter changed. Of course, that's assuming the trans isn't already damaged. Third gear takes the most quantity of fluid to apply, as you are applying both clutch drums, so the volume of fluid needed is at it's greatest in 3rd.(did I just say the same thing twice in the same sentence?)
Make sure the fluid is full first, and then pull the pan. If there's no large deposits of "crap"(high-tech trans term), I'd say change the filter. Be sure to ask for a brass-screen type filter, too...not a "Dacron" type. If that don't fix it, then yer out $30 for fluid and filter. If it DOES fix it, you've saved yerself $1000+.

One thing about tranny shops, and the "quotes" they give....they don't know what's wrong with your trans just by talkin to ya on da phone. Lot of em don't even know after they drive it. The only way to know is to pull it out and dis-assemble it. This is where they get ya. They tell ya "Oh yeah, we can fix it for $1000. Then, once you say "OK, fix it", they pull it out, and call ya with the, "Well, it needs this and that, and that cost $X more."
Get it in writing, and hold them to it! Be sure to read ALL of the itty bitty fine print, too...

or....Bring/ship it on down here tuh Texas, and I'll fix ya up...Adams' Apple2008-08-04 20:50:20

Sorry, I was reffering to a new automatic not a manuel. I will jack er up and pull the pan the next day or so. any kind of fancy additives I should put in with the new fluid or anything. I may be takin a drive to Duncanville. I hear it's a lot cooler than OKC this time of year.

Cooler than OKC?!?!?!?!?! Yeeeesh! It's been 105+ here the last week or more!! Dang...how hot is it up yonder?!?

NO additives for you, please. There is only one trans fluid additive that I ever recommend, but it wouldn't be suitable for your issue. In other words, it would be of no benefit.

Another bit of info on changing the fluid...if you do happen to see a lot of poop in the bottom of the pan, OR if the fluid is dark brown/black, save the old fluid in a clean pan/container. Change the filter, and put the OLD fluid back in it. (Strain it thru a paint filter, or a coffee filter first)
If the old fluid is nasty, and there is a lot of doo-doo in the pan, putting NEW fluid in it will most likely create new problems. The new fluid will have a high detergent content, which has the tendency to "wash" the inside of the trans of old varnish, and clutch deposits. When this happens, the old funk gets settled in the pan, stopping the new filter up. In some cases, the new fluid will actually "wash" the clutch lining right off of the clutches...not really a step forward...
In this case, it's best to re-use the old fluid, and top it off with new as needed.
If your pan has only a small amount of deposit, in a particular area of the pan, and the fluid still has some red color, you're prolly good to go with new fluid. If in doubt, take some pics if ya can, and post/e-mail them, and we'll see what's up.

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]  There is only one trans fluid additive that I ever recommend, but it wouldn't be suitable for your issue. In other words, it would be of no benefit.  [/QUOTE]

Joel, you sure have my curiosity on the only trans fluid additive that you refer too. Can you elaborate more on what it is, and when you would possibly use it. Thanks Joel! 


(fixed quote box)Adams' Apple2008-08-05 10:50:02

Why soitanly, Larry!
The only product(s) I would ever recommend for an automatic transmission is made by International Lubricants, and is a product called "Lubegard". There are several different formulas, for different specific applications(Ford, Honda, Toyota, etc).
The one I use most is a universal application(red bottle), and is intended as a lubrication enhancer, and it helps to keep valves free, and it also helps lower the operating temp of the fluid itself.

The other formulas contain friction modifiers, as well as the lube enhancer. This helps when a manufacturer specifies that their trans fluid MUST be used. The Lubegard changes the properties of regular Dextron trans fluid to work with the other transmissions. For instance, Honda recommends the use of their specific fluid, or harsh shifting can occur. This is true. Regular Dextron fluid in a Honda will usually create a harsh shift. A bottle of the Black Lubgard will eliminate the harsh shift within a few miles of driving.

Lubegard is the ONLY "additive" to ever be accepted by any of the major vehicle manufacturers, which should tell you something. Some TSBs(Technical Service Bulletin) for trans issues will actually call out to add the Lubegard to correct a factory calibration problem.

Don't mean to be a shill for the product, but I believe in it, and use it in prolly 90% of my transmissions. The Red stuff will actually free a stuck valve while you drive, unless, of course, there is a piece of shrapnel stuck in it.
Now ya know!

btw...the reason it would do no good in this particular 400 is there is not a shifting issue that the supplement would help. It won't hurt it, but it wouldn't actually solve the problem, either. Adams' Apple2008-08-05 11:09:03

Joel, Thanks for your expert answer. I find that quite interesting. That is why YOU BE DA MAN!........................................

Joel 75 degrees today....wait that was at the office....never mind, I wish I had asked this about a year ago. One weekend I had this thing up on jack stands waiting on one part or another to arrive and got bored and changed the fluid and filter and put a new modulater valve on it. The pan was full of gunk so of course I cleaned it out real good not knowing any better. I will go ahead and change it and let ya know what happens. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[QUOTE=aceinthehole] Hey Joel, a local garage recommended "Lucas auto trans. additive" after fluid change, when my old Mercedes was troubled with downshifting, and it worked great, same with my daughters Taurus. Is this stuff worthwhile for anything except last straw desparation ?[/QUOTE]

Everyone has their own opinion of the "Best s#!t ever made", some work some don't...most don't. But, in all fairness, it's great for MY business!
Tranny-in-a-can is a stop-gap, at best, IMHO. IF the trans is on it's way out, nothing you can pour out of a can/bottle is gonna "fix" it.
If, however, there is a minor problem, such as sticky valves for instance, that might work fine, and get it down the road with no other problems...ya just never really know.
My semi-professional opinion, for whatever it may be worth, is to not put anything in one that "guarantees" it'll stop the leaks, slips, or noises. I've seen VERY few products that actually work without some type of side-effects.
The Lubegard products I mentioned are not designed, or marketed as fix-alls, and even they won't save a trans that is just too far gone.
Bottom line is, I just personally don't believe in spending money on snake-oil(if I want snake-erl, I'll go outside and mash a few of them up in me yard for it...)...I stick with what I know works. I've not used the Lucas stuff, so I really can't say it's gud or not...