Installing my TH400 ?????

[6.2puller]

SO I am installing my freshly rebuilt TH400 and have a few questions. The tranny is in. Does anyone know what line is the output for the tranny cooler and what line is the input?

How about how much ATF a empty TH400 and converter takes roughly so I don't have to run for more latter? I have two gallons now.

Thats all for now but might come up with more as I go.

To any about to do this don't bother leaving the Y pipe on if you have a single exhaust. It was more hastle than a time saver trust me.

 

[diesel4me]

fluid capacity..

Takes at least 10 quarts to fill an EMPTY TH400!..if the converter was drained too,that is..if you are just changing the filter after dropping the pan it'll take 3 or 4 quarts max..best to buy a whole case of 12 qts,or 3 gallon jugs,whichever is cheaper..

I'm not sure which cooler line is "in" or "out"--but its been posted here before..Ithink the TCI website has the lines identified on their web site..I'd guess the upper line is the "IN" one,but I'm guessing..one sure way to tell it to crank it over with the lines off and see which one squirts first!..

 

[6.2puller]

Yah mine is empty. New convertor, the works. I will grab a third gallon since I am adding an auxillary cooler once I figure out what line to put it on.

 

[6.2puller]

TH400
Fitting Location Thread Size Flow Direction
Upper ¼" Pipe Return/in
Lower ¼" Pipe Cooler feed/out

 

[sledheadak]

fill the converter before you put it in.seen more than 1 converter damaged when started new empty.

 

[diesel4me]

good advice...

Yeah,dump at least a quart in the converter before installing it so it wont be dry upon starting,and be sure it goes in ALL the way,and all 3 splines are fully engaged before bolting it up to the flexplate..

I saw freshly rebuilt motors we did in school (auto repair shop),ruined when guys installed everything just about bone dry..thats how we learned about "assembly lube",or just dumping fresh oil on the parts before assembly!..trannys are the same,they dont like being "run dry",even for a few seconds..I smoked a brand new power steering pump once when I started the engine ,had to back the car outside,and I hadn't filled it up yet!..OOPS!..

I knew a guy who used to work for AAMCO,but got fired because he liked to have a few beers or a drink at lunchtime!..he started his own shop out of his cellar,and I bought many tranny's from him he'd rebuilt,or he'd charge me 150 bucks plus the parts to do one I brought to him..

He was very anal about the way the tranny was installed,and "broken in"..he claimed if you didn't jack up the rear wheels ,and after filling the tranny completely,shift it into first gear, and slowly accelerate the motor,then shift into second,then third,and let it run in third gear for about 5 minutes up on the jack stands,stop and put in in reverse,and re-check the fluid,that you risked burning the clutches up!...

He claimed many newly rebuilt trannys that came back as defective ,were most always due to the converter not being seated fully,or they just stuffed the tranny in ,and filled it up and drove it immediately,without following his break in instructions....I'm not sure if he was
crazy or not,but I did as he told me too,or he'd not honor his warranty(6 months,or 20,000 miles)..

I never had any troubles with the tranny's I got from him or had him rebuild,and I drove them much more than 20,000 miles!--same with friends that I sent to him with lifted trucks--many had big tires, and burned trannys up once already,but once this guy rebuilt them they lasted,and didn't act up at all..I think AMMACO should have let him keep his job and drink at lunchtime myself--he was twice the transmission specialist any of their other employees were,really knew his stuff ..I wish I knew if he is still around,he'd be the guy I'd have rebuild MY tranny again!..

 

[6.2puller]

I ran it without the Tcase while checking the fluid levell. Should be the same as having the rear tires in the air hey?

 

[diesel4me]

yup..

I would think so!..leaving the T-case in neutral works too...

Don't know if that guys procedure is just something in his mind he thought was nessasary or if it really did make a difference-..I've put other "rebuilt" trannys in before I met him,just filled them up and drove it away,without troubles !!..a few did fail shortly after,but I am more inclined to think it was because they didn't rebuild it correctly,(that,and the merciless beatings they got!)..not because we didn't "break them in right"..but his method does not hurt anything I guess..

 

[Citizen Rider]

4 quarts to a gallon FYI.