TH400 Restoration
 

Looking for a transmission shop to restore/rebuilt my 1970 TH400 in N Calif. The prior shop that did the work thought it was good to spray paint the casing silver so it will need to be striped to the natural finish.

This is for a concours restoration.

Thank You
Dan

If the trans is otherwise fine from the rebuild, you may be able to remove the paint with lacquer thinner. Most shops just used cheap spray can paint.

Thanks, I’ll try a test spot. It just makes me worry about the quality of the rebuilt!

Hopefully, it was a reputable shop that did it. If the paint cleans off to your satisfaction, I would install and run before spending the cash to have it all disassembled to inspect/reassembled...:dunno:

Consider using this. After removing the tag and striping the paint, spray on and rinse off, it can work miracles on raw aluminum. Do NOT use on polished aluminum though.
Metal items like the governor cover and bail Evaporust may work well. - Bill W

Th400....
 

The cosmetics are important for the right look in a restored car...but the internals would be of more concern to me. First, what is the application??

If this is a high-horse car then you want to be sure the parts are correct...governor, torque convertor, modulator, etc.

I assume the tranny is out of the car...a reputable shop who really understands these can drop the pan, valve body and check inside...confirm the other hi-perf parts and the quality of the prior work. Much easier to do this now before it is installed.

The tag on the passenger side of the unit will tell the story on the trans.

Good luck.

-wilma

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

This is a numbers matching LS6 that I am restoring to a factory level. I am also concerned that the internals may not be satisfactory based on the fact that they rattle canned the casing. I would much rather have a reputable shop take it apart and confirm this rebuild and if they can strip the casing.

Does anyone know of a shop in N. Calif? I would even consider shipping it if need be.

Check with Rick Nelson or Chris White.

Th400...
 

Good advice...:scholar:

Thanks Bill. As was said earlier, if it was a reputable shop and you don't think it needs rebuilding then I would also suggest just stripping the old paint off. If unsure, tear it down (most shops will only charge a nominal fee to disassemble, inspect and reassemble) and then strip the case and use an aluminum cleaner like suggested. In severe cases where a case is badly stained I made block off plates for all the openings and bead blast mine, then clean with the aluminum cleaner and finally a good soap and water pressure washing. I do not suggest blasting the tail housing as that is white metal and you will destroy the mottled appearance in the metal. They look great afterwards.