approximate cost of these parts?

[OneLethal87GN]

The geniuses at AAMCO replaced my valve body out of my 85 GN tranny with a run-of-the-mill 200-4R valve body. They also put in a convertor that is definitely NOT locking up. I tried it with my manual switch and also by doing the brake tap test. They keep swearing all 200-4R parts are the same and there is no such thing as "GN parts". They laughed when I explained about special single spring governors and valve bodies. I am at the end of my rope with these people and am one more arguement away from a lawsuit. They rebuilt my tranny but left the shift kit out because they couldn't figure out how to put it back in right. The shifts are softer than in my 2000 Z24. The convertor isn't locking up and I have a crappy valve body in it. They said people like PTS and companies that specialize in 200-4R trannies tell us this stuff about "special GN parts" to get us to buy them from them. It sucks not having people who know what they are actually talking about working on your car. BTW, I also don't think testing a car out to be sure it is shifting right requires over 30 miles of driving and burning the tires through second gear. How much are these parts worth and can you rebuild a valve body? They said mine had a cross leak somewhere but didn't want to give it back to me.

 

[GNeric]

This is why I do this myself and for a living. I can't stand places that have NO clue as to what they are doing. If they noticed, the valve body is stamped with the code to match the trans case...BR3 to the BRF. The TR valve body can range from $600 - $800 depending where you get it. Have them call the dealer and look it up by application for a regular 86 Olds with the VIN Y 307 and 200-4R and the 86 GN with the 200-4R. They can verify that they are different and they are the ones who sell for the people who DESIGNED the thing. In all my experiences here and El Paso, AAMCO is nothing but a bunch of idiots who can barely assemble the darn thing.

 

[2quiktocare]

Leathal, by law they have to return all old parts to you as requested. The other thing is with your trans, make sure the valve bady you get back is a BQ stamped on the side of it in ink/paint. If they truly thought they were all the same, they wouldn't be hanging on to your old one so hard.
Bruce I think spoke with your guy there at Aamco and they had the attitude only they knew what was up with a transmission. Needless to say, Bruce was kind of ticked having this kid diss him they way he did. Normally a cross leak is in the seal to VB plate more than a valve body issue.
Get your valve body back ASAP and tell these guys you are going to someone that knows the difference between and OG and a BQ valve body and governor.
Good luck, I have a feeling you are going to need it.

 

[OneLethal87GN]

Well, they said I could have it back if I paid them for the one they gave me. He said he was keeping mine to use as a core. The jackass manager said the v.b. was a $450 part he was giving me for free. The tranny builder told me it was only a $70 part. I would have never went there if it hadn't been for the 3 yr. warranty, of which they tried their best to say they told me I would only get one year. I left with a 3 yr. warranty though. I am going back next week to have them fix my non-lock-up problem and have Bruce's shift kit put back in. I will bring him a core out of an old 200-4R I have lying in my mom's backyard. If they are all the same then he shouldn't mind. The tranny has been out in the weather for a few years but is still together so a little soaking in some clean fluid should make it good to go. I totally agree with Bruce about them knowing everything but really not knowing jack. They may know trannies but they don't know GN trannies. One last thing, and this made me laugh.... the mgr. told me I didn't really have a GN because it has t-tops and GNs didn't come with t-tops. He also said he thought someone moved the shifter from the steering column to the console. After explaining they did come with t-tops and did come with console shifters they thought everything else I told them was b.s. too. The mgr. even went so far as to say it wasn't a GN because the emblems looked stuck on. My car had a repaint a while back and the emblems were removed and stuck back on. This is why I wanted one of the board members to do my tranny. Since I only had $2,000 it seemed a local shop was my only option. Oh well, I have 3 years to tear this baby out, which I plan to do before the warranty expires.