Dave Witman

79 vette with hydro 350 is leaking out of manual shift shaft. How much is involved in replacing this seal, is shaft hard to remove. I already replaced pan gasket so I know I wiil have to remove pan again and get a new seal. I just not sure on the shaft removal. Thanks Dave

Jud Chapin

It's not a hard job and you're right, the pan has to come off again. It's probably best to pick up a book on the 350 which will give you specific instructions. Such instructions are rather long or I'd put them here. I've done it a couple of times and never had a problem.

Jud Chapin

Here's the book I use:

http://www.themotorbookstore.com/tur...matic-350.html

JoeRags

Dont mean to hijack, buy my Muncie is leaking out one of the manual shift shafts as well. Its not bad, but a drop here and there.

Whats involved in doing this seal on a Muncie?

Thanks

Dave Witman

Thanks Jud book is on order.

Vette Gator

There is a tool for removing and replacing the shift seal without having to remove the pan (http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...-0000t1001.htm) The TH350 book is excellent, but when I saw how much I would have to disassemble while under the car, I decided to spring for the tool instead.

Jud Chapin

That looks like a nice tool but I don't know if it will work on a C3 as you have very little room. Have you used the tool, Gator, on a C3?

TimAT

I worked GM dealers for 15+ years. I never ran across anything that tool would not change the seal on. Worked EVERYTIME!

Sure beats pulling the pan..especially working flat rate.

Jud Chapin

Tim, thanks for the input, but my question is have you done this seal replacement using the tool on a C3. I'm looking at the clearance on my '76 and I'm having trouble seeing how that tool could fit as you've only got about 2 inches of space to work with. Again, thanks.

.

Dave Witman

I would like to know also if this tool works on a 79 before I buy one, not alot of room in there. Dave

Jud Chapin

Yeah, Dave, I measured the distance of clearence on my '76 and it looks about to be 2 inches. I then looked at the tool and judging from it's appearance, it appears to be at least that long. It has been about 10 years or more since I changed that seal on my '76 (I now see it is starting to seep once again and that's why I have interest here) and that tool kind of rings a bell. If memory serves, I decided against it but don't what research I did to arrive at this conclusion.

TimAT

It's been a long time, but I sure changed a lot of those seals with that little tool. I don't specifically recall doing a C3. Sorry. Even if you have to pull the trans mount to lower the trans a little bit it's still easier than pulling the pan. But a side benefit to that is a fliud and filter change too. If you do pull the pan, you have to remove the nut from the shaft on the inside, and pull a nail to get the shaft out. I don't think there's enough room to get the shift shaft out. So you're back to dropping the trans down a little. If you pull the shaft, watch that you get the link back in correctly. There's a long rod that goes back to the park pawl. Be certain it's in the slot just as it comes out. If you miss, park won't work.

Jud Chapin

Thanks for the input, Tim.

tommyleea

Yes, you can change the seal on a C3. I have a 77 and changed mine about 3 months ago. Worked like a charm. (Using the tool).

Jud Chapin

What worked like a charm, Tommy, the tool?

Smokehouse69

Sometimes just changing the seal doesn't fix the leak. I have seen where the actual shift shaft is scored or uneven do to rust or abrasion due to dirt collecting around the shaft. On my TH400, instead of replacing the shaft, I tried using two seals on the shaft. One is seated fully into the hole that the seal sets in, the second is on top of the other seal. It stopped the leak.

Dave Witman

Well I guess I will order the tool and try it out. Dave

Jud Chapin

Keep us posted, Dave.

Dave Witman

I found this it looks like the same tool. Dave


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8877&rd=1&rd=1

Vette Gator

Sorry that I haven't been back to respond - my son's baptism was this weekend. Sounds like all the questions were answered, though.