Is this a fair deal to rebuild my transmission?

[1972BlueC20]

Hi Guys,

My transmission is leaking on my 72 c20 (th350)

I took it to a local well respected smaller transmission shop that has one of the better builders in my area.

They just called me with the diagnosis.

He said it's leaking from pretty much everywhere LOL....which I think is true because when I got under it, it was wet with fluid all over the place from front to back basically. The transmission is working great but just leaking really bad.

He said that he's not willing to just replace the seals without going through the whole thing since he warranty's all his work for 1 year and he doesn't want me coming back in 2 weeks or 2 months with another issue. He said because he doesn't know the history of the transmission and whether it was run low or overfull ect.....that he will only completely rebuilt it or replace it.

He said they will replace every single part with the best parts that he would put in his own vehicle as well as all new seals ect and brand new th400 torque converter (he said he likes to put the 400 converters inside the 350's) with a mild shift kit added and warranty everything for 1 year parts and labor for $995 + tax.

Is this an ok deal to rebuild the whole thing with new torque converter and to pull the transmission and put back in??

I know that they range from $650-$1200+ to buy rebuilt transmissions online but that doesn't include shipping or the labor to pull and replace.

Please let me know guys as I need to call him back so I can get my truck back on the road sooner rather than later

[67chevy1]

I would say he's right inline, if not a little cheap. I just talked to a tranny shop around my area about rebuilding my 700r4 and its going to be $1100 just for the rebuild and that's me bringing the tranny in and me reinstalling it.

[c3006]

That's about the going rate here,I always prefer to do my business with small local established shops rather than the big chain repair places.

[1972BlueC20]

Thanks guys!!

My only predicament is do I keep with the rebuilt th350 or go ahead and put in an overdrive transmission?

Thoughts?

Also, my truck is supposedly all original numbers matching. However, I never verified because I got a good deal on the truck so it really wasn't a deal breaker either way. A buddy of mine told me that sometimes trans shops will tell you that they are rebuilding your trans but instead just swap it out with an already rebuilt unit. If this happens and my transmission was the original transmission then would this hurt the value?

[Already Gone]

I dont think you will get a better price and the service, because its a small shop with a reutation to uphold, will do a super job for you. I've been going to the same trans/ driveline shop since I sold them trans parts in the 70's of the 8 or 10 employees there 5 of them have been there since The 70's. I trust them completely and usually dont evenask a price before I get stuff done. One last thing, my shop wont do a half a**ed job either, if they cant fix it right they wont touch it.

[leddzepp]

A non original transmission will not affect the value of your truck in any way. I would put an overdrive trans in. IMO that will increase the value of your truck, and enhance your driving experience.

[Vintage Windmills]

That's a real good price. Would be more like $1500 around here. As for the OD, i'd say it depends how many miles you driver per year and what you use the truck for, and if you're on the freeway much.

[1972BlueC20]

I drive it almost everyday to work. But I only live 15 minutes from work. It's mostly stop and go with only a few stretches where I could be in overdrive.

[c3006]

JMHO but I think the 350 and 400 series tranny are much more dependable and rugged than the OD transmissions and if fuel economy is not a huge deal I would stick with my tried and true 350 as it will be cheaper and no mods will be necessary.

[4oldcars]

Take it to Maryland and have it done. They get about $2000 and the quality of work is lousy.

[1972BlueC20]

Well I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the TH350 rebuild.

I inquired about doing the 700R4 swap and he said it would probably be around $2K-$2500 because I'd need a new drive shaft, then he'd have to get a 700R4 core, then rebuild it and he'd have to relocate some stuff ect....he said i'd definitely love the truck after it's done but it would be around double what i'm spending for the TH350 rebuild.....hopefully I'm going the right route.....so far I've been happy with the TH350.....at first I was not liking the 3 speed thing....I really noticed the lack of overdrive at first, but now that I've been driving it everyday for months I really don't notice it much.....I'm getting about 11 mpg which in my opinion isn't bad for a 42 year old rolling brick....lol....also I know I can increase those numbers with the proper carb tuning and few other things.....however we don't buy these trucks for their gas mileage LOL.....if that was the case we'd all be driving a prius!

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by c3006

JMHO but I think the 350 and 400 series tranny are much more dependable and rugged than the OD transmissions and if fuel economy is not a huge deal I would stick with my tried and true 350 as it will be cheaper and no mods will be necessary.

Yup

[1972BlueC20]

Well then I feel better already about my decision!

Thanks guys!!!

[jimbosprint]

Sounds like you got a good deal. I have the same problem with my 72 C20 (tranny fluid leaks immediately after pouring it in), and I was told $1100 by a local shop installed with a 3yr warranty.

That shop usually swaps in a rebuilt one and keeps the old core. Is there any reason I should have them rebuild mine instead?

[1972BlueC20]

@jimbosprint, nah I don't think it really matters if you have the same transmission. That is, from what I've been told on here and by a few buddies. I mean for purists, yeah it's always nice to have a totally original truck, but these trucks aren't usually super rare or show trucks. They are for pleasure. I think numbers matching is more engine to chassis number matching but I stand to be corrected. I'm fairly new to classic cars / trucks. I'm not sure if transmissions have any markings that marry them to the engine / Chassis or truck. Can anyone verify?