I like to think I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I've bought Chris's manual but I'm still pretty intimidated by my trans. I'd like to build it myself, but that's a pretty expensive screw up if I don't get it right. Has anyone here done their own 200-4r using the CK manual? It looks really thorough but I'm still not so sure I should try it.
Build your own tranny???
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Firechicken
Member
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- Jul 23, 2003
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Well, I did it and I too am mechanically inclined but had never done one before either. Besides a bit of a hiccup with the front pump not working properly, (Not built to the manuals specs by a local Aamco trans guy..it was a free donation so I tried it), the trans build was pretty straight forward and is AMAZING. The detailed descriptions he gives along with the pics makes it pretty easy to follow along. If you are going to dual feed the directs, I found the instructions a bit less than clear, as is isn't spelled out what should be done, unlike the rest of the manual. Do a search on this board or just ask Chris to clarify what steps need to be done.
The hardest part I found during the build was to drop in the forward/direct drum assembly past the band. The direct drum wanted to get hung up on the band, and since I didn't have the special tool which hold the forward drum inside the direct drum, when holding it just with your fingers, it gets heavy really fast! Anyway, I cut a whole bunch of little metal strips from some sheet metal which I placed all around the inside of the band to "shoehorn" the direct drum in place thereby protecting the band from damage.
I had bought, from ebay for twenty dollars, a low/rev housing remover/installer tool. This tool made life a lot easier when removing and installing this piece. I recoomend you get one. As well, once you are finished the build you will need a transmission pressure guage to make sure eveything is what it should be and avoid the mistake I made assuming the pump was working correctly. Make sure you have a nice big bench to work on..it will make life a lot simpler. I provided links to the pieces I bought.
If you have on of CK's rebuild kits, you will pretty much have eveything you need. I didn't and had a TCI kit which I had bought years ago in anticipation of this buildup. I had to order a washer kit from CK as well as a teflon ring kit and a servo 'extendo' pin.
My advice is to just dive in. It really isn't as bad as it looks once you get in there. Like I said, I had no previous experience whatsoever, and even though it has only been a month, this tranny is living under constant abuse from my 455 Pontiac engine with 500 HP and 600 Ft lbs torque in my 3800 Lb 1980 Firebird.
The hardest part I found during the build was to drop in the forward/direct drum assembly past the band. The direct drum wanted to get hung up on the band, and since I didn't have the special tool which hold the forward drum inside the direct drum, when holding it just with your fingers, it gets heavy really fast! Anyway, I cut a whole bunch of little metal strips from some sheet metal which I placed all around the inside of the band to "shoehorn" the direct drum in place thereby protecting the band from damage.
I had bought, from ebay for twenty dollars, a low/rev housing remover/installer tool. This tool made life a lot easier when removing and installing this piece. I recoomend you get one. As well, once you are finished the build you will need a transmission pressure guage to make sure eveything is what it should be and avoid the mistake I made assuming the pump was working correctly. Make sure you have a nice big bench to work on..it will make life a lot simpler. I provided links to the pieces I bought.
If you have on of CK's rebuild kits, you will pretty much have eveything you need. I didn't and had a TCI kit which I had bought years ago in anticipation of this buildup. I had to order a washer kit from CK as well as a teflon ring kit and a servo 'extendo' pin.
My advice is to just dive in. It really isn't as bad as it looks once you get in there. Like I said, I had no previous experience whatsoever, and even though it has only been a month, this tranny is living under constant abuse from my 455 Pontiac engine with 500 HP and 600 Ft lbs torque in my 3800 Lb 1980 Firebird.
HellOnWheels
HellOnWheels
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2002
- Messages
- 1,012
Dewey said:
Dewey,
A couple years ago, I rebuilt mine (my first ever trans rebuild) using an ATSG manual as a guideline as well as bunches and bunches of help from this forum.
The one thing that I was advised to do turned out to make the rebuild much, much easier was to set the converter on the work bench and as the innards of the trans was removed re-assemble it onto the converter which gives you a much better prospective of the order in which trans works and especially the re-assembly. Also pay close attention to details, especially clutch pack clearances and shafts endplay.
I've just purchased one of Chris's manuals in which he spells out the "how to" rebuild very clear as well as some hot inside tips that makes the trans stornger and to last longer. I've pretty much read it thru and with all the details that the manual goes into I believe anyone that is in anyway mechanically inclinde should be able to rebuild the 2004R.
Good luck,
Jerry
OneLethal87GN
R.I.P. Lethal GN
- Joined
- May 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,255
A GN valve body? 
How much? I have been thinking of rebuilding a 200-4r too and am not really intimidated by the job, just the tools required. I don't have a torque wrench or feeler gauges but by watching the AAMCO guy rebuild mine it didn't seem too important. He didn't use either tool. 
How much? I have been thinking of rebuilding a 200-4r too and am not really intimidated by the job, just the tools required. I don't have a torque wrench or feeler gauges but by watching the AAMCO guy rebuild mine it didn't seem too important. He didn't use either tool. 
justabuickv6
Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2003
- Messages
- 1,037
Did you just buy the rebuild kit or did you purchase hard parts as well?
I am interested. The kit is cheap but the addition of all the hard parts aren't so cheap. I wonder what the price difference is of doing it yourself compared to a tranny shop? What's the mark up? Labor?
I am interested. The kit is cheap but the addition of all the hard parts aren't so cheap. I wonder what the price difference is of doing it yourself compared to a tranny shop? What's the mark up? Labor?
OneLethal87GN
R.I.P. Lethal GN
- Joined
- May 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,255
Dewey said:
If it says BQ on the tag then that's a start. It may have been rebuilt before and had a non-performance valve body installed. I still haven't been given a clear answer on how to tell a BQ body from another except the numbers stamped on the valves on the side of the body. They should read F, 15 and either a 9 or 19. I was told 19 but mine seems to read 9, but it may be a bad stamping. Keep me updated. Thanks.
JDSfastGN
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,506
I would go for it, i have been through a lot with my tranny but most of the time its stupid things, or a parts failure. Build it once and build it right, don't cut any corners and spend the money on billet parts if your going to push the car into the 11s. My dad and I rebuilt his in his 85 GN and its been fine for quite a few years, my 87s tranny has been its own achileas (sp?) heal and I've had to rebuild it quite a few times for stupid stuff like breaking stock input shafts, stretching bands, bad torrington bearing due to contamination etc... But all in all the task is not impossible and I don't really have any special tools other than snap ring pliars, flat blade screw drivers, some puller devices to pull the pump, and feeler gauges and another nice set of gauges for measuring endplay and clutch clearance. Follow Chris's manual and it should go well. (oh and if you have a billet forward drum always dual feed 
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