any way to know cond. of trans. that is out of car?

[SeattleCharger]

  My transmission is out of car, and the eng also, bought the car like this.    It is going to cost me some money to have the engine and trans. put in the car after the engine is finished.   I have heard of someone that will rebuild my trans. for 600 bucks if it is out of the car.   Should I just do this just to be safe?   Unless there is a way to know what I have in the transmission.  The labor I am looking at to install the engine and trans at this time is about 1K to 1200 bucks.  If the trans. turns out to be old or bad, that would be a bummer.   I don't know that much about it, thanks, Nate. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I assume it is an automtic ?
do you know how many miles are on it ? what color is the fluid , does it smell burnt ?
it may be worth having it checked But if you do not trust this person it is very likely you will be sold a rebuild anyway

[SeattleCharger]

Thank you.   Its a 727 for a 440.     There is no dipstick to check the oil, no tube for a dipstick, no open hole at all.   Don't know what happened to it or where it should go on the housing.   The shaft on each end appears to be clean and greased well and sort of new looking around the bearings.   Just wondering if I should have it rebuilt just in case before everthing goes back in car,

[TylerCharger69]

I would at least have it gone through by someone you definately trust.   If it checks out ok...change the fluid/screen  and maybe give it a flush before installing.  It may or may not be in proper working order though.   At least have it looked at.  The fluid pan on automatic transmissions and the screen filter can tell a lot about a tranny.   And.....is the fluid  maroon in color  or is it closer to orange  or even brown??   Should be toward the maroon side.  If it's brown...well......a rebuild pack of clutches and steels  run about 75 to 100 bucks...unless you go Kevlar.....then about 300 bucks....providing all of the hard parts  (planetary...etc.)  are in good standings.