1980 Pontiac LeMans Station Wagon - G-T-faux (stuck with it, and can't shake it... like a bad case of herpes)

[motorheadmike]

In the interest of not having this car stuck back in project jail all Summer while I learn how to rebuild a transmission for the first time I decided to make a few expedient mods to get the car back on the road in early-May. I'll source a core and some rebuild parts later this year - sooner if I **** this one up.

 

[motorheadmike]

Two out of three ain't bad. The TCC valve is on back order. Time to get to work.

 

[motorheadmike]

ICT fittings and 90* -6AN fittings fit the tunnel nicely, then pulled the trans out... And finally my 24,000km unit is up on the stand. Natasha deadlifted it up for me.

 

[liquidh8]

Nice, your in transmission mode like me. Hope you get it together.

 

[Turbolq4]

The rear cooler fitting has an inch ish long extension on it right?

 

[motorheadmike]

The rear cooler fitting has an inch ish long extension on it right?

Internally, yes.

 

[fleming442]

The rear cooler fitting has an inch ish long extension on it right?

I believe it should. The fittings I got (maybe the same) had it.

Looking good, Mike! That trans is squeaky clean inside......

 

[ostrich]

Subscribing. In the same mode with one in my 85SS.

 

[motorheadmike]

Tore the trans down tonight, cleaned it up and started making some mods. A couple of interesting things I took note of:

1. The differences between the stock (bottom), TransGo (middle), and Sonnax (top, it would reuse the stock buffer spring, washer, and snap ring) boost valves; and

2. The difference between the stock and Sonnax pressure regulator valves. Essentially, as I understand it, the Sonnax part bleeds off pressure that would blow out the front seal (does the same as drilling the pump) using those holes.

I also ordered another Sonnax TCC regulator valve, and front and rear seals. Should have those parts on Friday.

 

[motorheadmike]

Cripes I was tired when I posted that last night... practically fell into a coma around 2300hrs.

For clarity I used the TransGo boost valve in this trans, because this is a kit... and the Sonnax valve came with my Jake's recalibration kit (don't break up a set).

A neat trick I discovered for getting the boost valve down and into the bore was set the snap ring onto the top of the valve, and using a long 10mm socket on a 3/8" extension and ratchet to press down on the boost valve, straddling the socket with the snap ring pliers to get it all settled in. Helps if you are a reasonably co-ordinated chimp.

I also pulled the 1-2 accumulator apart to swap in the ORANGE spring in the kit... just to find that there was already an ORANGE spring in the assembly. Panic mode set in and I started checking to see if this unit already had an HD-2 installed in it. It didn't. I was just tired and confused.

It does seem like I have an issue with one of the check balls (#4 below, 2nd Clutch) walking in the case as it is showing signs of trauma, both to the case (galling) and the separator plate (irregular wear coming in from an angle). Weird. I may have to just throw in some plastic check balls.

Everything is otherwise fine. Just a lot of parts bagged and tagged.