Back in Black! rpu build thread

Dang Dan!!! That sound so freakin sweet!! Nice, super nice job!!

Chaddilac

 

any pics?

 

Guys,
Sorry about my total non-response. My & pops have been devoting every minute to my rpu in the past few weeks. Our goal is Billetproof Florida (April 9th) to take my car too. I have been REALLY excited to even fathom the thought of making a goal with this car finally, and actually be able to take it to a great event like Billetproof-pretty surreal actually.

So we got LOTS done. Steering is completely done. Wiring is completely done. Had the front Buick drums machined, got front backing plates & front brakes installed, hooked up throttle & kick-down, etc.

Down to painting grille, installing brake hoses from frame hard-lines to each wheel cylinder, bleed brakes, install drive shaft, a few minor things, and DRIVE this thing finally.

So before we installed the drive shaft, we decided to slip the yoke in the tranny, fire it up & slip it in gear to be sure all is well.

Well, all is not well. The tranny is barely spinning in gear. Sometimes is spins a little, even @ high rpms. Not correct though.

Tranny is a TH350, & is full of fluid. Yoke spins same direction whether the car is in reverse or drive. Tried to drop tranny pan & change filter, thinking MAYBE the filter gasket was missing & it was sucking air. Of course I could not be so lucky. F*CK!

Somehow the tranny doesn't seem to be pumping fluid correctly. I have a tranny cooler installed. I dropped the lines & there is no fluid that has pumped into the cooler-the lines are bone dry.

So bottom line, I will miss Billetproof, shocking. Such a let down after being SO excited to take it there, & have light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. Don't even want to think about the work ahead to strip everything back off, & pull the motor & tranny..................

Pretty sick about it, but what are you gonna do. I am trying to win an award for longest HAMB build EVER without completion.

Gonna take a break from the car for a bit. Sorry for the horrible attitude, just really frustrated now

Dan

 

Shitty Dan. Sorry to hear about your tranny but you have had setbacks before and you have battled through them and come out on top and this will be no different. All the setbacks do is make it all the more satisfying once you finally get it done. You can look back and see what incredible fortitude it took to complete and be proud and enjoy the finished project even more.

 

That sucks, man...

 

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo .........

 

Been there Dan, I feel for you. My clutch set up was all wrong and I only found out after everything else was done and ready to roll. Body off, motor and box out, rethink, rebuild. It's one of those things that if you had the drive you could probably go at it and get it done in time. But the wind has been kicked out of you and you don't want a thrash to get to your first event.

You have the whole summer ahead Dan. Take a break and then................................................................................................................Get your f$%*#ing ass in gear and get it done!

Pete

 

There is always the next show/event, just don't set a deadline again, life is not a TV sitcom. Thanks for the inspriation you have given us on the build.

 

That blows Dan.

Do you have any idea what's up with the trans? I'm not a auto guy but understand the principle.

Let us know how it turns out.

Paul

 

Hey Dan...

Could be something as simple as a check ball...!

I remember somebody else on this board had the same problem about 8 years ago and they replaced the manual valve body with the automatic valve body assembly and they were on their way w/out taking the tranny out.

However if the pump snap ring popped off... you'll have to pull the tranny.

 

Thanks man, I really appreciate. Car projects can definitely be a battle.

Yeah man, I'm with you on that one.

Yep. I was really excited to bring it Glenn. Really bummed out

Thanks Pete. I know you went thru it with your car too, REALLY frustrating. BTW, I really enjoyed your recent pics you posted of your car, it looked awesome bud

Hey Bob, thanks. Yeah, I hear ya. It just is tough in Florida because there are so few events to got to that are decent, especially Billetproof type of events. I know that is not the only reason to build a car, but it would be so nice to take a recently finished car to one event finally. I really do appreciate the support

You know Paul, I'm not a tranny expert at all... It is a manual valve body TH350 I had built, zero-point-zero miles on it....

I really don't know where to start with this right now. I guess I will learn once I decide to get back to it.

I would been better off putting a 218,000 mile junkyard tranny in it




.

 

Thanks Dave. My biggest problem is that even if I had a tranny sitting there, I have SO much to do to swap out that I would never make it. To be able to take out the motor & tranny without beating the frame & body to death I really need to pull the body off the frame

I just don't have the time, energy or desire left to get that all done in 2 weeks. I could trailer my non-running car to Billetproof...... that'd go over well

 

I wonder if a transmission shop could fix it with it in the truck??

I don't know much about an auto trans though.

 

Sorry Dan. That blows. Keep your chin up though.

 

I know it's dissapointing but don't sweat it Dan. Shows come and go every year. It's all about you and your ride.

Let us know if you figure out the tranny.

 

Very sorry to hear about the transmission. Sounds very disappointing. It does not take away from what an amazing build this is though. When you have had time to regroup a bit it would be great to see some pictures of it together.

Best of luck sorting out the problems

 

Sorry to hear that. Now just take the time for the trans and make it perfect. It will all come together soon.

Len

 

Hey Dan... did you have an extra check ball or spring when you put the manual kit in it!
I edited out the video because it might have been counter productive and right now you need assistance not a smart-ass post...!
(But I'm willing to give you a hard time when ever you think you need it! Hahaha...!)

 

Guys,
thanks for the support, I really appreciate. Well I am gonna try a few things to try & figure out what went wrong. From some advice my dad has gotten, it might be a bad front pump, or the torque converter not engaged in the front pump.

In some really good news, my dad spoke to the company that built the tranny today. I bought this about 4 years ago, so it's WAY beyond warranty. Zero miles, but still. Well, they gave some advice on things to try to diagnose the problem. They also said they will stand behind it if there is a problem. Can't ask for more than that. I am honestly amazed they will do this.

Gonna go see what I can find out tonight, I'll keep you posted. Thanks again guys

Mark, don't worry my friend, no offense taken! I definitely didn't take it that way man.

I didn't install any of the tranny parts, I had it built, so I am honestly not sure. If I did build it I would definitely have extra parts though

 

Pressure port to check pressure on, there is one. Missing check ball above the valve body spacer plate? Trash holding a spool valve incorrectly? Should be simple, but could be like the tranny in my 65 with hardened seals that lose pressure.
Just some thoughts.

 

Patrick,
I appreciate that advice on this. I feel kind of like an idiot, I can fab up & build most things that I want to, but trannys are not a strong point for me
I am sure that it is something relatively simple, but I honestly don't know enough about this to troubleshoot it beyond the basic things

Mark ( & Patrick),
I did check the basic things that the shop that built the tranny recommended, & all was ok. So it looks like I'll be pulling it out. The good news is that they are standing behind this 100%, even though they built it 4 years ago.

So I will get it pulled out as soon as I feel like looking at it again, pallet it up & ship it back. From the little bit I know, the tranny just does not seem to be pumping any fluid thru it. The torque converter is engaged to the front pump.

To unwind, I got on my bike & took a ride. Here's a pic:

 

I'm really glad to hear the tranny builder is willing to back up his work and time frame around it.
Cover up your legs better on the bike. I'd rather sweat than have exposed for roadrash potential. I like big thumpers.

 

that better be a "kilt"

While it sucks to tear back into it, Im happy to hear they are standing behind it...unlike the race one I dealt with

 

Haha, it's NOT me on the bike
The tranny builder is stepping up considering how long ago I bought it. Definitely good to see anymore. Thanks man

Yeah, you never know what to expect anymore. I am p*ssed to miss Billetproof, & have to tear the car down AGAIN, but can't complain about the service they are offering when they didn't have to.

 

I just popped open your thread to see how things were coming along and read your lousy news, Dan...that sucks, but you knew that.
Hang in there, bud. Take a break and then have at it again.
Any of us that have built cars have gone through these kinds of times, and we always come out on the other side.

PS: Nice skirt...I mean kilt!!

 

Will you have a special rack for your pink bag pipes in the car?? Now I know why you picked the colors you did for the car... To match your kilt... HAHA!

Bummer to hear about transmission stuff!! Fingers crossed for a simple solution!

 

Just some friendly advice Danny. Posting a picture of "yourself" in a skirt, and then abiding the frequent use of the word tranny might not be a good combination.................. Just sayin'...........

Bum deal on the transmission, but keep pluggin' away, you'll get there. I see where Pops says you've got a local solution at hand so that might actually speed up the remediation. Hang in there.

 

Dan actually I dont think you would here any grief about trailering it there. Everyone has been waiting so long to see it especially you .It would probably do you some good to sit back and watch people drool all over it.I say bring that thing on a trailer and enjoy the weekend. Gregg

 

Uncle Bob has a good point Dan...not to mention that nice pink L...

Oh and one more word of advice..NEVER..and I repeat NEVER.. say "I blew the tranny" around your smartass hot rod buddies...I was sharing a story about blowing up the C4 in my Comet and STILL do not hear the end of it....Any news on the car?