I have a TCI TH350 that I am planning on using in one of my project cars. I purchased it new and I've put maybe 5,000 miles on it. It functioned flawlessly when I removed it, and it has been stored in my garage, with fluid in it, with all openings (input shaft, tail shaft) wrapped up.

I plan on replacing the external seals, but aside from that I have no idea what letting a transmission sit this long without use will do to it. I've never done it before.

If anyone has any experience in this area (using a transmission that was sitting for an extended period of time) please tell me how it worked out for you.

Thanks,

Jed

 

They don't go bad.

I don't know how long you're talking about; but if it's less than 30 years or so, it should be fine. Beyond that, the rubber parts might be so old they have turned brittle, and bad things might happen when you run it. But that would have happened whether it was "instorage", or in a car that only got used occasionally, or whatever.

You can store it just about indefinitely if it's kept clean and dry.

 

if you left the toque converter in it it should be alright (or if you have it wrapped up like realy freakin good)ive seen trans sit for 20 years and then be put back into a car and it will run just as good as it did when it was new so i dont think youll have much of a problem with yours

 

Oh, its been sitting for about 5 years, forgot to add that.

I figured it would be ok, but like I've just never tried to use a trans that has been sitting that long, so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks guys

 

Is there any kind of priming that should be done? I'd imagine some spots have gotta be bone dry, right? Or will it not matter, b/c as soon as it's bolted to an engine and started, when the t/c started to spin, since the trans would be in park or neutral, then nothing would wear out?

I'd imagine in the first few seconds, the tc / fluid pump would have shot enough trans fluid thru the box fast enough to get everything wet quick?

 

Tell ya what Jed, I'll let ya know soon. I bought another racers back up tranny that sat for 5yrs too. When it was rebuilt the fact was known it was a back-up so the guy put tranny gel on all the parts and then the guy installed a set of new external seals a month or so before I bought it.

I've seen guys get stuff outta the boneyard with an inch of sludge in the pan and the tranny's worked great.

 

The only problems people have is when moisture gets in and sticks the valves. My jeep trans sat for 2 years in a bone yard fairly empty some of the valves were a little sticky for the first 30 miles but it cleared up and works great.