First time building a car completely. Custom frame, air bags, etc. Using a TH350 for transmission. This is a newly rebuilt transmission (no fluid in it). I'd read anywhere from 9-11 quarts on a completely empty trans. I'd poured a quart in the torque converter prior to stabbing it in the car. I poured two gallons in it from the dipstick tube and about 20 minutes later I started seeing a drip from the rear seal. When I pulled the driveshaft out to check the seal, about 2 quarts fell onto the floor. The car is sitting level in the garage on jack stands as I'm not quite ready to drive it yet. Did I overfill it? Is there an internal seal that failed? I didnt rebuild the trans, my dad bought it from a friend that does them. One side note question. The output shaft has a slight side to side play. Is that normal? Thanks in advance guys!
When you fill the transmission you should start the engine so it fills the torque converter. Otherwise the trans is way over filled just sitting there. Also I believe there is a bushing in the tail shaft that the driveshaft yolk rides in, sounds like that was not replaced. Thats why you have side to side play on the driveshaft.
There's the problem, right there. From empty: pour in one gallon. Start the engine. Add the second gallon. Then run the shifter through the gears, back to park, check the fluid level. Add until it gets to the "add one pint" mark, drive the car to get it to operating temp, make sure it's between the add one pint, and full hot marks.
Also makes a difference what he is running for a pan. I always use the Derale cooler pans which adds some capacity as do some chrome and aluminum after market pans.
To one of your original questions a th350 with new convertor will take 11 quarts. Keep in mind if you have a trans cooler you’ll need additional fluid to fill the lines and cooler itself.
True, bushing would be bad if you've got play with the driveshaft installed. But with the driveshaft out, there will be a good amount of side play in just the splined output shaft hanging in there unsupported. This is normal.
There is none with the driveshaft installed. Just noticed it while replacing the seal It is just the stock pan. I have a cooler built into the aftermarket radiator. Transcooler is built into the aftermarket radiator which I did plumb in. Didnt do a frame mounted one this time. Cool beans. I didnt really want to pull it out and apart. I'm a decent wrench, but probably dont possess the tools to dis***emble a slushbox transmission
Engine running, preferably with the trans fluid at operating temp. Then the drive/reverse thing a few times then into park while it running and check level. But two quarts is a lot to lose pulling the drive shaft. So maybe converter wasn’t full? But checking an auto trans isn’t like an engine. Oh, and a TH350 isn’t a slush box
It's not unusual to feel a slight lateral movement in the slip yoke. There's a redi-sleeve in the tail shaft housing, it's not a press fit, has to have clearance for lubrication. My process is 2 quarts in the converter, 4 quarts in the pan. Start and cycle through the gears, recheck and add until I hit full.
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