Flushing a TH350 of an '79 Camaro

[falloutboy]

Hi Folks,
I'm a little bit curious how do I flush a TH350 Transmission?

The best method I could think of was:
disconnecting the back feed line at the radiator and letting the Oil coming from the trans through the radiator dump in a bucket and let it SUCK fresh oil out of a other bucket.

But there is the Problem.
DO TH350 really "Suck" at that line? Or do I have to push some oil in, in some other way, e.g a pump.

I hope you can help me here.

Thanks folks

Julian

[clutch1]

Get a flush machine.. they're only a couple grand!!! :p

Lol, but for real I would probably look for a place that could do it cheap (<$100 is a STEAL).

Either that or just drop the pan and change the filter.

[falloutboy]

Get a flush machine.. they're only a couple grand!!! :p

Lol, but for real I would probably look for a place that could do it cheap (<$100 is a STEAL).

Either that or just drop the pan and change the filter.

We're speaking of Germany hear, I wasn't even able to get a decent rebuild Transmission to a reasonable price.
So I ordered my new one from Phoenix transmission in Texas. Way cheaper and way better :D

But the system was probebly not flushed during the change, so I want it do it. At least something to make my new one a bit more on the safe side.

But Clutch, are you learning something like this in school?
Cause all I had in school was some basics about Planetary drives. Thats all. The lesson about CVT's was held by myself cause my teacher was such a lame O

Greets

[Redog]

Yeah you'll need a flush machine to do it right.

Call a few Benz and Volvo dealerships, back in the 60's and 70's some of them had 350 and 400 trannys in them

[widbyj]

Old school time, I have a 73 Olds 455 w/TH400....

You say the trans is new. You haven't hooked it all up yet? If so, all you need to do is flush the cooling lines to eliminate 'gunk' before it gets into the trans. Use whatever is handy (brake bleeder or ...) to run some appropriate cleaner through the system, start at one hose and force it to go through the radiator tube and out the other line - direction shouldn't matter (I do it both ways to make sure all the dirt gets mixed-up/washed-out). Then flush again with trans fluid to make sure the cleaner gets out. Install the trans, hookup the lines and top it all off. She'll drop down a quart or more after first start due to the fluid it takes to fill the cooling lines. Top it off again and all will be fine.

Old GM Autos run a continuous flow of fluid through that circuit to cool the fluid when warm AND to warm it up in winter. If your gonna run it hard I would advise looking into a seperate cooler/fan setup to reduce problems.

[Oldsnut]

What about the fluid in the Torque Converter?

[Redog]

What about the fluid in the Torque Converter?


Could just replace the TC. Why have a fresh rebuild with all that crap in the old convertor to fuck up the trans ;)

[Cliff8928]

But there is the Problem.
DO TH350 really "Suck" at that line? Or do I have to push some oil in, in some other way, e.g a pump.

I don't think so.. You'd have to route the one hose to a bucket, then fill the trans trough the dipstick tube. That's the way I've done it. Expect to use about 12L of fluid to flush it.

[clutch1]

Ah, didn't realize you were talking about a rebuilt trans, I thought you just meant routine maintenance.

Indeed, after a rebuild a new TC is a must pretty much.. especially if the old trans grenaded... no use introducing all that crap again

However, if you did indeed rebuild it, then allll of the fluid in there is going to be brand new, and assuming you cleaned everything properly, just fill it up and that's good.

If you are feeling spendy, simply replace the radiator and trans cooler lines to clean those.

Otherwise you reaaaaally need a hot flush machine to flush the cooler/ lines properly. We've had transcoolers on our hotflush machine for a couple hours before they completely get flushed clean.


Cliff's method works tooo! I've never tried it, though. Always been too scared I'd accidentally run it dry! EEeek

[falloutboy]

Damn folks, why didn't I ask you 2 years ago, before I ordered my trans.

DAMNIT I was fool.

Ok, heres the whole deal.

The Old trans burnt some of its brakes (If I remember right, it was one of the reverse brakes).
I ordered a new one from Phoenix Trans. Cause it was cheaper than a rebuilt.
BUT I don't know the mechanic flushed the system prior to install. And if I remember correctly, I haven't bought a new TC.
Afterwards I drove the Camaro home, approx 100miles. There it has sat for 2 years now.
And a few ago, after I ordered some parts from Northern Auto Parts, I remembered this unfaithful happening.

So I thought I ask you.

What should I do??

It'll be a real PITA to find a Flush Machine around here. But as ReDog said, I try some of the olds Mercedes dealerships and Oldtimer gurus around here.

[clutch1]

It's interesting you can't find one.. trans flushes are like.. regular maintenance!

Ask the shops how they normally change the ATF if you would.. I'm curious now!

[Redog]

Yeah but this is an American old school trans and a lot of shops don't do them anymore due to not being that many left on the road.

Good luck with the flush. I'm sure a MB dealer can send you in the right direction

[clutch1]

Eh, flushing a new or an old trans is the same.. oldschool is easier IMO.. pumps put out pressure in neutral on pretty much all of them.. radiator/ cooler lines are easier to get to, the like.

[Redog]

^^ I agree, but older stuff some people don't wanna touch

[falloutboy]

It's interesting you can't find one.. trans flushes are like.. regular maintenance!

Ask the shops how they normally change the ATF if you would.. I'm curious now!

Clutch - your forgetting I'm in Germany.
Here people don't drive Automatics. They like to jerk around with their trans. Throwing the shifter around as they are make cool whip.

Do be honest, till 2000 it was nearly impossible to get a "normal" car witch an Auto.
The only cars that were possible to get with an Auto are expensive Mercedes. Even BMW didn't like 'em.
(Did I get the time right in this sentence??)

But as Redog said, I'll try some old Dealerships.

You are curious about how we do maintenance around here?
That depends on the garage :)
I worked at a Nissan dealership, and I as a trainee was the only one that was knowing something about Auto Trans.

The only maintenance you get around here is a "normal" fluid and filter change, open screw on pan, drain out - most people forgett the filter.

Most mechanics seem to be afraid of unscrewing the pan an changing the filter.
But thats just my 2 cents

[clutch1]

Oh wow, didn't know that... it just seems so "normal" to have auto here in USA.. that's cool, at least everyone in Germany gets to learn the stick!

[falloutboy]

Oh wow, didn't know that... it just seems so "normal" to have auto here in USA.. that's cool, at least everyone in Germany gets to learn the stick!

Exactly.
There is a possibility to learn with an Auto Car. But after you get your license your only allowed to drive cars with auto trans.
And this is quite present print on the drivers license.

[Malibu369258]

All the automatic trans. cars in Germany are left for the handicapped, sad but true. Seriously though, family in Germany make fun of me for driving an automatic car.

[falloutboy]

All the automatic trans. cars in Germany are left for the handicapped, sad but true. Seriously though, family in Germany make fun of me for driving an automatic car.

Glad I could convince my family to drive automatics.
It all started with the Camaro, first Auto car, we had.
Then we "accidentally" bought the Nissan as an CVT Automatic
Wie thought the T stands for Touring = a Station wagon
Then my dad got his Chrylser -- Auto
Then I got my precious little pearl -- Of course it had to be an Auto

Only my sister drove a Renault Clio with a manual, but she never let me repair it or any one else, "cause she was low on cash". Now its nearly a total loss, monetarily speaking.

But this doesn't solve my Tranny Prob with the Camaro.
Ohh and by the why, what about a flush of the Alero?