When I go look at an El Camino to buy it, is there a way to check the transmission for excessive wear or problems? The seller is taking it in to have the fluid and seals changed this week and I'm wondering if he could be hiding something. It's a 71 with a 350/350 setup.

Thanks!

Matt

My limited experience tells me that I want to check the fluid before it's changed. Whats the color, does it smell burnt and lastly by rubbing it between my fingers do I feel any dirt or metal shavings. From what I've read if the fluid is changed any problems will become evident. So for my 2 cents, after the change, I'd take it out drive it until all is up to temperture, stop and make it go through all the gears and reverse. Does the shifting feel smooth, is kick down while passing feel right and lastly is the shift from reverse to drive quiet and firm. You'll have to use your ears and feel. The radio and heater blower off. But this should give you a good feel on the shape of the transmission. Oh yea after the drive look under the car for wet spots on the road or under body. Good luck.

Thanks '79! I was thinking about the condition of the old fluid, too. I won't get a chance to check that, so I figured I was going to have to work the tranny pretty good to see if it seems ok. I'll be sure to heat it up, check for leaks. I'll take a second pair of eyes and ears to go over it with me, too.

Drive it.

Start it when it has sat all night, don't let it warm up then put in reverse, if the truck hesitates before moving or you have to give it a bit of gas to feel the tranny engage then there could be an issue. Driving it, get on a steady speed, say 60, see what you feel in the seat of your paints. Does it vibrate, that could be an issue, stomp it and see if the engine revs high and sounds like its pulling but doesn't increase speed proportionally then there could be a problem.

When the center seals go in a 350 it is noticeable "more" when cold and when you "FIRST" put it in reverse. It will feel like it is slipping and indeed it is. The fluid is being allowed to pass unrestricted through the center shaft seal. If it is doing that you have anywhere from a day to about a month, depending on driving habits, before a rebuild is in order.

Just my thoughts.

One last thing, when driving slow (between 20 to say 40 Mph.) if the truck down shifts frequently or downshifts when you hit a rough spot in the road, usually very noticable, then there is definatly a problem that will require a rebuild.