Anyone ever rebuilt their own 350 transmission? Im debating on if I should try and rebuild mine. This would be my first attempt. Are there any special tools involved for this job? I looked for a Chilton or Haynes manual on rebuilding a th-350 at the auto parts store today. Unfortunately they did not have one.
What do you guys think is this to involved for a first timer without a helper/guide?

It can be done, there are some special tools that make the job easier, but if you are only doing one trans, they are a bit pricy. There is a tool for the accumulator cover, as well as seal protectors for installing the pistons into the drums and protecting the lip seals. It can be done with a .008" feeler gauge, or a tool. I prefer the tool, but do enough that I was able to justify the expense. Otherwise, just normal hand tools, and some patience is all that is required. If you do it, be sure to check EVERYTHING as it is taken apart. One often-missed thing in a 350 is the end of the input shaft, as it is common to wear at the tip where it fits into the output bushing. You need to replace the input, and the bushing too to correct the problem. Only thing needed for a good 350 would be an overhaul kit, and a good outer sprag race. The TCI Pro Super kit has all you need to do the trans, and valve body, it just does not have the sprag race included in it, it is a separate item. If you really plan on throwing some power at it, like over 450-500, then consider a better drum/sprag setup, they are avaiable too. I have printed manuals available, but I would ask about a video, I know they are out there, but have not seen one myself. If you choose to do the trans, email me if you want to save some $'s on parts compared to pricing from 'S' or 'J' mailorder places. And, I am more than willing to help with tech assistance if you want . You can do it, it just takes a bit of time, and don't let it frustrate you! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I have a 1975 Pontiac dealers service manual that a friend gave me back in the late 70’s. It has very detailed directions and lots of pictures for rebuilding powerglides, th350’s and th400’s. Back in the early 90’s the tranny in my wife’s daily driver (81 Olds) with a th350 went south. And I didn’t have $200 to have it overhauled, but I did have a dead th350 lying around. So I pulled out that book, tore the dead tranny down and put it back together three times just to build my confidence. I had to do it three times because of all of the BS I’d heard how complicated it would be to rebuild one. It was so easy I thought I was doing something wrong! Anyway, I found a business that sold rebuild kits, all of the seals, gaskets, and clutches for $30. I didn’t have the $60 for a new torque converter so I fooled with the old one suctioning all the fluid out. All told, I pulled the tranny, overhauled, and reinstalled it in a weekend for around $50 - $60. I bought a new modulator, filter and pan gasket that didn’t come in the kit. The parts prices are probably a little higher now. Before I went through another one I made a couple of tools to speed the job up. I drilled, tapped, and notched and reinforced a piece of ¼ flat stock so I could center pull the pump with a single slide hammer. The thing with the washers and allthread is to compress some springs and remove/replace a snapring in a drum like thing where some clutches are, using my drill press. The bars, I clamp to my work bench for a holding fixture. I throw a chain around them so they won’t spread. The last tool, I bought. It’s just a piece of tubing with piano wire loops for installing lip seals.

http://gvtc.com/~cap5/Images/transtools.JPG

You have mail.

Don't forget that super-duper little offset snap ring pliers for the ring above the reaction carrier. That thing is a BUGGER unless you have the right pliers. Everything can be winged.

I did my th400 ,heres a link to that post.
http://www.camaros.net/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=009561
trans is back in the car and working great!

those seals with the feeler gauge are a bugger!