Vettes are not terribly difficult to swap auto transmissions. Not easy, but average compared to most. If you are installing a fresh rebuild be sure to have 12 qts of fluid on hand. More if an aftermarket deep pan is being used. Typical capacity is between 10 and 11 qts total.
This is the method I use for a fresh one that is installed:

Before hooking up trans cooler lines to trans, flush lines with the proper solvent to remove debris from previous trans. This MUST be done, or you will fill the pump with crap. This is bad, bad, bad. Most trans companies will not honor a warrantee if the cooler is not flushed. Rest assured, they WILL know if you did not flush.
Put at least 1 qt of fluid in the new converter.
Finish the install and be sure to use locktite on the torque converter bolts.
Fill trans with 5 qts of fluid. Start engine and only run at idle speeds for 20 seconds.
Shut off car.
Add 4 qts to the now dry pan and restart engine.
With the e brake on and you feet firmly on the brake pedal, move shifter from park to reverse and leave it in reverse for 30 seconds. Then click it down to neutral. Again, allow 30 seconds before dropping down to the next gear.
Repeat this process all the way down the gears, then all the way back up to park. This allows for proper filling of the valve body and works the assembly lube that held the checkballs in place to disolve.
By now, the engine should be up to operating temp. Add fluid till you are just into the safe side of of the dipstick level.
Check for leaks
Adjust tv cable
Take it for a test ride.
Recheck fluid level and enjoy.

Hey, sounds easy enough. If I ever blow my XMSN I'll be sure and look up this thread. :thumbleft:

Don't overlook ALL the details-very important. He's got 'em all here ! Nice job

Are there any good after market sources for replacements?

There are many good places for a quality remannufactured unit. GM was a great source. Pricey, but good warrantee and consistant quality. I say WAS because they have discontinnued many of the earlier years. I had 2 for sale in the for sale section, but they are both likely sold. If you are looking for a solid, stock replacement, it is likely someone local can suit your needs. If you are looking for a high performance trans that is custom built and built well, options start becoming limited. Feel free to e-mail me at:
vrodpete@msn.com if you have any questions. I am always happy to help. If you wish to ask them on the forum, by all means do so. Simply shoot me an e-mail so I know to answer it promptly.

I will know where I am Thursday. This last weekend I found a small puddle of fluid on the garage floor. Earlier this summer I had a pruge done and who knows. The level is still in the safe area but I am taking it to the local Chevy dealer (north of Pittsburgh) for his trans guy to check out. The car is still under warranty. When I purchased it I was able to get a warranty that covers the drive train. I will let you know if I am in the market or what ever.

Quote:
If thats the case id be praying its shagged and needs a rebuild. (my warranty when i bought the 94 last year covered up to $2,500 AUD on the transmission, as well as big $$ amounts on other sections of the car, so i was laughing )

Yea my policy has already paid for itself.

Boy did I luck out. The puddle was caused by the dip stick tube not being secured in the transmission!!! I thought for sure that I was going to get the call about replacement or astonomical labor costs. Then I would have to fight with the warrany company to cover. Ducked the bullet on this one.

Nice. Today is your lucky day.

alright, and what a great tip

The only thing I would add is to install a 0 to 300 psi gauge and seven feet of TRANS hose to a 90* fitting in the port above the shifter lever and compare with the factory specs for all six positions. This is the only way to accurately tell if the tv cable was/is adjusted properly. and have an assistant push the gas pedal all the way down while verifying that the throttle blades open all the way Aloha

TTT

Quote:

Procedure for this? What solvent?

Thanks,

Matthew

It comes in a can that looks like fix a flat and is called transmission cooler flush.
Screw the hose on a dangling hard line, pump 1/2 can through, then switch to the other hard line to reverse flush with the remaining solvent. When complete, blow the lines out with air.

Thanks Pete, lots of trans stuff to read. Great timing for me.

I still remember watching Jesse James' monster garage show where they dragged all these parts and tools to Iraq to build a wheelie dragster out of a Hummer. One of the solders helping with the build didn't put any fluid in the converter and the TH350 or whatever it was got smoked on startup.

Heartbreaking. Dragged all that shit over there, and they had nothing to show for it. No spare parts, couldn't get it running.