TH350 rebuild kits

[black79k20]

Hi guys,
I am new to the forum here. Been lurking around for awhile. I have a question, I hoping everyone could help me out with. I am going to be rebuilding the Th350 for my '79 K20. I am wondering what transmission rebuild kits everyone has used. Planning on doing the rebuild myself. My local parts stores carry a Transtar kit and B&M Transkit. Just wondering which one would be a better buy, or if any of you had any recommendations.

Thanks in advance, Matt

 

[Cowboy_80]

I don't have any recommendations, but I used the B&M when I rebuilt one many moons ago. Had everything I needed, but that's really all I can say about it.

 

[dyeager535]

I did a "shift kit" from B&M a few years back, and the instructions in it were horrible. Ended up not working right due to one unclear portion of the instructions. Tore it back apart, changed the piece around, worked fine. It was enough to turn me away from B&M products in general. So far there hasn't been anything I couldn't get from another manufacturer.

Have you checked around your area for tranny shops that do a large volume and have a parts counter? Typically they sell what they use, from my experience they were good kits and very reasonable. Transtar sounds familiar, but I'm not certain, I've gotten away from the auto's in the last few years.

As far as shift kits, if you tend to do that as well, Transgo seems to be "the" shift kit that people who tend to build a lot of transmissions use. I've certainly never heard a complaint about them. Of course, if the transmission shifts the way you want, it may already have one in it, and no reason to buy another in that case.

 

[roadnotca]

Hi guys,
I am new to the forum here. Been lurking around for awhile. I have a question, I hoping everyone could help me out with. I am going to be rebuilding the Th350 for my '79 K20. I am wondering what transmission rebuild kits everyone has used. Planning on doing the rebuild myself. My local parts stores carry a Transtar kit and B&M Transkit. Just wondering which one would be a better buy, or if any of you had any recommendations.

Thanks in advance, Matt

To rebuild a TH350, you'll need the book by Ron Sessions, ISBN 9780895860514. For the soft parts (gaskets, clutches, etc.) Transtar works, or B&M or TCI, etc. Be sure to use TCI's "TransScat" valve body kit. Good firm shifts, and you can hold #1 & #2 shift, uphill or down. Very handy Offroad.
But definetely get Ron Session's book. It's worth ten times it's price.