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Where to get a TH400 dipstick ?

diesel4me

diesel4me

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Besides a salvage yard,because there most likely ain't any there around here,or they wont let you "break up" a good used transmission..

Rock Auto only shows one for a 700R4...

I have not tried a dealer,reason being the TH400 in my truck is not a 4x4 version,I think its from a car or 2wd,with the 4x4 output shaft transplanted into it..
I have a TH400 from a '74 Monte Carlo that had a 454,that dipstick is too short by several inches...so I'm thinking someone may have swapped the original dipstick & tube from the truck's TH400 onto the one in it now..dont know what to order,if you can even get one..

The one thats been in the trick since I got it lost that metal cap dewhickey under the handle "loop" ,it was missing since day one,and it makes it tough to determine whether its filled to the correct level or not..
 
My last 400 was from an Astro van and I just went to the dealer an bought a later 80's stick and tube, worked fine. The later stuff has a flip lever handle that prevents it from puking out the tube if overheated. Later stuff also has a boot where the tube goes in to the case rather than an o-ring, seals better.

As for a specific application, I don't know. I was lucky and had a really good guy at the dealership.
 
Thanks,that gives me some leads at least...going to keep my eyes open at the salvage yards just in case,I may get lucky...rather not mess with the tube ,its in good shape and doesn't leak,basically I just need the stick..might ask around at some local transmission shops too..
I have a few TH350 dipsticks & tubes hanging around,didn't think to see if any of those might happen to be the right length..(probably isn't the same)..

I put a rubber boot I had off something (wheel cylinder ?) on the stick so crud cant get in the tube at least..the other day I checked the fluid level and it was below the add mark after driving it (guessing as to how far to shove the stick in)--then I added at least a pint and it didn't seem to go up any..
I have to go buy more ATF,I'm hoping its not migrating into the transfer case,and I'm just not pushing the stick in to the same point each time I checked the level..
 
My stick is 33-5/8" long :D

This is the flip lever I mentioned.

IMG_1919.JPG
 
Cool, looks like a direct copy of the GM set up I used.
 
I may go for a hike thru a local pick & pull today and see if they have anything--after I measure the stick I have in it now first...and also first see if I happen to have one off a TH350 that's the same length..

If I have no luck there I'll either get in touch with Greg Ducato or maybe try that speed shop...New Bedford is about 25 miles away,that is about as far as I dare drive my truck lately...anything further would exceed its worth in tow charges to drag back home..still need to get some kind of towing insurance ,no matter what vehicle I happen to end up in..
 
Pick and pull in Freetown ma is closed only one left is in RI. There is some good junk yards on rte 18 from Brockton down south on the right .
 
You want GM part #'s
15659781 new style locking dipstick
1259475 multi lip tube seal
15659458 dipstick tube
These are still available from GM dealers. They will have to source the dipstick tube through a company called VPI, but they can get it!
Wholesale pricing on these parts would put you @ about $53. Could be a touch more as VPI sometimes charges a bit more.
 
Eh! I screwed the pooch on pricing! Total at wholesale would be $69.57. I forgot to add in the dipstick last time. Sorry
 
My truck is probably worth not much more than that--need the cheapest way out!..

Heavy Iron--I go to Middleboro Auto Salvage most often,or one of the other Zions,they still let you walk thru the yards and pull stuff yourself..they are like 3 miles from my house too...if not for them and a few other yards with older vehicles,(there is Fererria's in Carver and Flint's in Berkley)--I'd probably not have any of my old heaps still roadworthy..its getting tough to find used square body parts in any yards locally ..
 
If the level in it is good just stick a random stick down it, hash it with a file then drill two small holes in it and cut it to length. That's how I did mine because I wasn't paying 60+$ for a dipstick. They lost their minds.
 
diesel4me said:
My truck is probably worth not much more than that--need the cheapest way out!..

Heavy Iron--I go to Middleboro Auto Salvage most often,or one of the other Zions,they still let you walk thru the yards and pull stuff yourself..they are like 3 miles from my house too...if not for them and a few other yards with older vehicles,(there is Fererria's in Carver and Flint's in Berkley)--I'd probably not have any of my old heaps still roadworthy..its getting tough to find used square body parts in any yards locally ..
Click to expand...
Then you might know my uncle Brian cobb
 
heavy iron said:
Then you might know my uncle Brian cobb
Click to expand...


I know him well,used to wait on him at one of the parts stores I worked at in Middleboro back in the 90's--also bought a bed for my '74 C-10 2wd with a 454 I had from him back then too--nice guy,very good mechanic ..small world!..

I have not been to Flint's yard in many years,he probably wouldn't remember me..
I know Freddy too,but haven't seen him since the 80's at his mill..
 
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