Been a long time, but wanted to post about my newly restored th200c, and thank everyone again that helped me with all those questions after that last hack job of a rebuild.
The trans got really bad recently--whining, and slipping, so I found a new shop (actually a Cottman) that my father's company uses quite a bit with good results. I talked to the owner before bringing the car, he definitely knew what he was doing, very competent.
So anyway, brought the car to him and told the long story about all the issues it had. He called me after taking it apart, said the torque converter had actually exploded internally (not just the clutch, either), and had blown metal through the unit. Don't know how it continued to function all this time... And on top of that, he said the previous rebuild was a joke, they took out all the cushions from the clutch packs, the accumulator springs (and I had told them I wanted a stock rebuild).
But now it's all back together, replaced everything, checked pressures, and test drove it. I got it back, I can not believe how smooth and quiet this unit functions. Absolutely can not feel anything at any speed! No more clunking or harsh engagement, shifts are flawless. This is how a GM transmission should work!
There was one small issue--and he told me this might happen after driving it, if any little dirt got missed--as I was coming home it got stuck in 2nd gear. He told me to flick the TV cable, which resolved the problem. I'm going to drive it more, and if it acts up again he'll pull the valve body for another cleaning. It has a 6 month warranty, so plenty of time to make sure the bugs are out.
The one thing I still don't like is the lack of downshifts, but I think that's just the way this unit was designed. If turn a corner without slowing enough, it will stay in 3rd, and you really have to hit the gas hard to get back to 2nd. But that's always been the case with this trans.
-Michael
The trans got really bad recently--whining, and slipping, so I found a new shop (actually a Cottman) that my father's company uses quite a bit with good results. I talked to the owner before bringing the car, he definitely knew what he was doing, very competent.
So anyway, brought the car to him and told the long story about all the issues it had. He called me after taking it apart, said the torque converter had actually exploded internally (not just the clutch, either), and had blown metal through the unit. Don't know how it continued to function all this time... And on top of that, he said the previous rebuild was a joke, they took out all the cushions from the clutch packs, the accumulator springs (and I had told them I wanted a stock rebuild).
But now it's all back together, replaced everything, checked pressures, and test drove it. I got it back, I can not believe how smooth and quiet this unit functions. Absolutely can not feel anything at any speed! No more clunking or harsh engagement, shifts are flawless. This is how a GM transmission should work!
There was one small issue--and he told me this might happen after driving it, if any little dirt got missed--as I was coming home it got stuck in 2nd gear. He told me to flick the TV cable, which resolved the problem. I'm going to drive it more, and if it acts up again he'll pull the valve body for another cleaning. It has a 6 month warranty, so plenty of time to make sure the bugs are out.
The one thing I still don't like is the lack of downshifts, but I think that's just the way this unit was designed. If turn a corner without slowing enough, it will stay in 3rd, and you really have to hit the gas hard to get back to 2nd. But that's always been the case with this trans.
-Michael