About to tap out

[-83MONTESS-]

As many of you know my latest build has been plagued with nothing but issues. Get it running, need to swap the converter. Swap the converter but run into carb issues. Fix the carb issues and the starter goes out. Fix the starter and the flex plate bolts come loose.

Well I ended up having to remove the trans because my converter has a ring around it which will not allow me to tighten the flex plate bolts with it in the car. So I start pulling the trans it's a simple enough job. I drain the fluid to find my drain plug covered in a thick gray substance and metal shavings galore. I had a feeling something wasn't right because no matter what I did it puked out of the vent tube and shifted like a grannies car. So now my transmission, THAT ONLY HAS 53 MILES ON THE REBUILD, is at a local builder's shop for diagnosis and rebuild.

And to put the cherry on top I find out that my dumbass didn't use lock-tite on the flex plate bolts. They all came out by hand and yes my flex plate is ****ed. It looks straight but the holes are too elongated to reuse. So now I get to have my transmission rebuilt for the 2nd time in 10 months as well as order a new flex plate. I also have to hope and pray that my brand new Hughes converter is still salvageable even though I want to send it back to get a converter that's actually close to the advertised 3k stall.

My only motivation at this point comes from the fact that I will lose my *ss if I sold this ****ing thing. Thanks for allowing me to vent!

 

[Opie Knievel]

Hey man, sounds like you've had a rough time with your car. We've all been there. I had an "83 Monte Carlo that went through 5 transmissions, a cracked flywheel that caused around 10 broken starter noses before we figured out what the problem was and at least one intake gasket in about a year. Just take a deep breath and try to think about all the joy the car will bring you when everything finally works right.

 

[williamattop]

Sorry to hear the bad news, but hang in there man. Many of us have been there and feel your pain.

Maybe we should start a "nightmare builds" thread. I know Ive been part of a few in the past. It would be like thearapy or AA lol.

 

[pontiacgp]

is there no warranty on the transmission?

 

[-83MONTESS-]

No warranty on the trans. It was built by a guy with a trans shop but he did it on the side to save me sales tax - or so he said. I had him put a manual valve body in it that I got off a friend. Other than that it was supposed to be just a basic rebuild.

 

[pontiacgp]

Have you talked to him to see if he will set it right, some guys have pride in their work. Legally even if it was done on the side there is still an implied warranty. But to keep it friendly even if you have to pay some $$ it'll be better than the full price.

 

[565bbchevy]

Make sure you order the flexplate from Skip White and have them match the balance to your original rotating specs,( if I remember correctly yours is external) hopefully you had some sort of work order or job number attached to your balanced rotating assembly.
I would also have your convertor professionally flushed before attempting to reinstall, same goes for trans cooler and lines if there is any sign of debris in the trans.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Make sure you order the flexplate from Skip White and have them match the balance to your original rotating specs,( if I remember correctly yours is external) hopefully you had some sort of work order or job number attached to your balanced rotating assembly.
I would also have your convertor professionally flushed before attempting to reinstall, same goes for trans cooler and lines if there is any sign of debris in the trans.

Well sh*t I just ordered a new one from summit....

 

[GBodyscuffle]

Hey man don't give up on this car. I've loved reading your threads since I joined the forum. I even check it out when I'm bored and wanna stare at your sick interior lol. We all have those roadblocks, I'm finally overcoming some of mine now after what seems like years. But I hope you keep it going. Good luck!!!!

 

[pontiacgp]

maybe this is an omen telling you it's time for a stick conversion....