How Old is Too Old For a Trans Rebuild?

[Bruzilla]

I'm talking to a couple of guys who are selling transmissions they had rebuilt for projects that went by the wayside, and the concern I have is if there is a time factor involved in using a rebuild? One was rebuilt 13 years ago. Would/could there be an issue with seals drying up, internal rust, etc."

 

[khryslerkid]

If I bought a used trans, not knowing the history on it, I would have it at the transmission shop getting it checked out if not just a total rebuild. I'm not taking somebody's word on the condition, install it in my car and find out that it's junk.

 

[threewood]

Pan gaskets and front pump gaskets are cheap. Pull the pan, valve body, front pump housing and have a look at the guts. I wouldn't trust one unless it was built by myself, Copes or A&A. Not lumping myself in with them , just that I know what goes into what I build.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

If I bought a used trans, not knowing the history on it, I would have it at the transmission shop getting it checked out if not just a total rebuild. I'm not taking somebody's word on the condition, install it in my car and find out that it's junk.

I agree with kryslerkid, but to answer your question..... even 13 yrs. ago, if the trans. hasn't been run I'd think the seals are still OK.

 

[Bb70charger500]

I'd says it's OK as long as it was stored inside. For piece of mind I'd put a new front seal in it just in case

 

[gkent]

Are we talking auto or 4-speed.

If its a 4 speed, as long as there was lube in it I wouldn't worry about it - maybe pull the side cover just to be sure there's no rust on the gears. But if it was assembled, lubed and spun so everything got coated it should be fine. I wouldn't worry about the seals either - whether they're in a trans for 20 years or a box on a shelf makes no never mind.

 

[oldbee]

I rebuilt my auto in the late 80's and all 3kids drove it during high school the early 90's. Sat for 20yrs. & worked just fine when I started it moving again. Good rebuild(?) or lucky? Not sure but I'm glad.

 

[AR67GTX]

Just did my first rebuild so strictly a novice - but pulling the pan should be sufficient to see if the drums for the bands are clean and shiny and evaluate for any internal rust or dirt. You should be able to smoothly rotate the internals by twisting both the input and output shaft with the gear selector in something other than park. Of course it's still a crap shoot as to if the guy who rebuilt it knew what he was doing and truly addressed any worn parts inside. Some of the worn parts in mine didn't really catch my attention until I had handled them several times or was in the process of re-assembling it.

 

[oldbee]

For an update- way back my Bee sat in my dad's driveway for 1-1/2yrs while we were in Pa. I told him to start it& drive it, don't think he ever did; drove it to new house and halfways there the frt seal peeled off where the t.c. goes into the oil pump. This was middle 80's.

 

[oldbee]

The trans is still working, shut it down and soon as I felt it losing power.

 

[SublimeSixpack]

I'd say if they were properly rebuilt, and if properly stored through the years, and if the price is reasonable, I think you'd be okay. But there are a number of "ifs" in my statement.

 

[idrivemopar]

I would say rebuild, that way you know what condition everything is inside the unit! I had one that sat for years, in a car, thought everything was good, but had it checked out and just put new clutch packs in, The bands looked good, but they were not replaced, so about 500 miles down the road, the band material separated and totally polluted the inside of the trans and it had to have it completely rebuilt!

 

[dvw]

Pop the pan off. No rust? Pop the front seal out. No rust? Send it. Or if your not afraid tear it down and have a complete look. I've never seen one that had a clean pan that had other parts that were rusty. Seals harden with heat. It's new.
Doug