Transmission Rebuild Cost

[justin1987]

So my transmission is starting to go out after a few years of enjoyment. We pulled the 727 transmission and the 440 out of a 1967 Chrysler New Yorker several years back and went through the entire engine, but just did minimal stuff to the transmission (i.e. gaskets, etc.). It's always been a little weak (takes a while for the power to get to the wheels), but it is getting worse. Now it looks like it is time to either rebuild it or buy a new one. What is the going rate to get a transmission rebuilt? Would it be better to buy a new one through somewhere like Summit?

[NHCharger]

Depends how much they find wrong with it. I had my 727 rebuilt for my 68. Since he didn't have to remove or install it in the car it was $450.00. Most estimates I've heard on previous treads is $650-1000.00.

[myk]

Complete removal, teardown and installation with a new converter ran me $1400 back in '95; probably a little more for that procedure now...

[cudaken]

Justin, call some local shops. Main thing is what you want / need done. My last stock build was $350.00 so now more than likely $700.00. My last HP build, had a lot of good stuff installed, TCI 3500 Converter (I supplied and tuned a 340 T/A carb set up for it) Hemi Clutch Can, TCI Semi Manuel Valve Body, 5.0 Kick Down lever and a few other things. Cost was around $1500.00 and that was 15 years ago.

What was Summit prices and what did it come with?

       Cuda Ken 

[John_Kunkel]

It's really hard to spend more than $400 in parts to performance overhaul a normally worn out 727, converter will range from less than $100 for a rebuilt stocker to...............

[ACUDANUT]

300 for a rebuild and another 100 for the converter.

[cudaken]

It's really hard to spend more than $400 in parts to performance overhaul a normally worn out 727, converter will range from less than $100 for a rebuilt stocker to...............

John, have any links for the rebuilt converters? I would love another 74 400 Police Converter.

Ken

[John_Kunkel]

There's no such thing as a "police converter" cop cars used the same converter as any other like-equipped car. For internal-balanced motors the factory 10 3/4" hi-stall converter was used in many applications up to '77...many rebuilders like Dadco use the number 762.

[ACUDANUT]

"internal-balanced motors the factory 10 3/4" hi-stall converter was used in many applications up to '77...many rebuilders like Dadco use the number 762"

I thought 1971 was the last internally balanced engine (BB). After that, they were cast cranks with externally balanced engines. 

[idahogrumpy]

        I'll probably get flamed here, But here we go! I used to buy Re manufactured convertors used for the 440 RV's. In the specs they were built with several hundred higher rpm stall numbers. In my very low budget days I found these to be a option for my street cars.

[Cooter]

Chrysler used internally balanced, steel crank engines all the way up to around 1974. (Police).

[c00nhunterjoe]

The bigger question is how much do you want to spend? An overhaul kit (clutches steels and seals) is usually available for around $100. Now if you start buying stall converters, manual valve bodies, sprag kits, heavier drum...... well.... you get the picture.

[Cooter]

Surprized no ones mentioned a bushing kit.

[fy469rtse]

Ok Cooter I bought bushes, you got me ,
Shit my trans is over kill , 4000 high stall, anti ballooning plate , internals fortified, case shot peened by hydro blast method, also leaves a brand new look to it,
Brand new old stock input and output shafts, surface nitrated, 4 gear billet planetary , 6 gear rear planetary,
Hemi 6 groove Kevlar bands , red clutches steels , steel billet drum , etc etc got to stop, makes me think of how much I spent , it's endless how much you can upgrade these trans , all the little details that add up as well
But the reason I did this , high horse power and have had transmissions violently and it not a fun thing to experience

[keith88]

Just had mine (904) done at my local shop a lot of internal things as well as upgrades and converter cost my $1800 they pulled it installed it and added cooler.

[myk]

Just had mine (904) done at my local shop a lot of internal things as well as upgrades and converter cost my $1800 they pulled it installed it and added cooler.

Sounds about right.  I don't know where everyone else is coming up with these $300-400 prices INCLUDING the converter...

[Cooter]

Just had mine (904) done at my local shop a lot of internal things as well as upgrades and converter cost my $1800 they pulled it installed it and added cooler.

Sounds about right.  I don't know where everyone else is coming up with these $300-400 prices INCLUDING the converter...

Parts alone. If YOU pull it and rebuild it, you 'could' get by with one dem cheap ass rebuilt converters, but most times, people have to pay that labor....

[c00nhunterjoe]

Yes, i dont count labor because i rebuild my own. Labor eats a huge chunk of your costs.

[John_Kunkel]

you 'could' get by with one dem cheap ass rebuilt converters,

I've overhauled well over 500 transmissions and all but a handful got rebuilt converters with nary a comeback.

Once you see the insides of a converter you'll realize that properly done rebuilts are just like a new one.....you'd run a "rebuilt" engine wouldn't you?

[Cooter]

Well, we see comebacks regularly. Especially with lock up clutches. Maybe we need your supplier?

Yes, I'd run one of MY rebuilt engines, but I wouldn't trust a reman today. Even badass crate motors quality seems to suck lately. We hadda reman 350 Chevy. Ran GREAT. Tore it down to freshen it up and crank was .020/.040, block, while it was I believe the "041" good block, I could see the rings looking at the tops of the  pistons and it was .085 over.

No thanks.while there might have been good rebuilds 40 years ago, we've seen rebuilt hard parts made out of different metal. Like it's softer or something. New Bands being the worst. I had no idea until I went to work for a well known trans shop. And I have cut open converters to find rebuilt units with no drive splines, no lock up clutch, no needle bearings, etc. Sucks ass when you get one all the way back in a car and the pump ain't even turning.

[John_Kunkel]

I guess anecdotal horror stories trump "properly done". 

[Troy]

I had the 727 in my truck rebuilt a couple years ago. Assume labor to remove and install one in a 4x4 will be extra. Total cost with a new converter was ~$1,100 with the only real "splurge" going to steel planetary gears. I think their original estimate for a basic rebuild was a bit above $700. I don't have the invoice any more (it went with the truck to the new owner) but you can figure $300-400 of that was labor.

Troy

[Cooter]

I guess anecdotal horror stories trump "properly done". 

It does. With everybody nowadays trying to keep profits up by using offshore parts, there really is a such thing I guess as 'properly done', but they are only as good as the parts they use.
I pay $15k for a new 426 Hemi, rod bolt horror stories, metal all through engine, etc. Shouldn't be a possibility, as they are charging 'properly done' prices. Yet, the horror stories.

[John_Kunkel]

I get it, you're ASSuming that if one pays a "properly done" price he is guaranteed to get a job that's properly done. Otay.

Properly done is properly done, regardless of price....my contention is that properly done rebuilt parts are as good as (or sometimes better) than new.

[Cooter]

Otay, I ASSume nothing. If I pay 'properly done' price, it better be better than what I've seen.