a few more questions for the K3500

[06scooby]

Well I think I've decided to stick with the TH400 tranny since upgrading to a 700r4 is much more money and work and everybody seems pretty happy with their 400's. I found some good deals, the question is whether to grit my teeth and do it myself (with a few friends) or just pay a shop here in town 400-500 bucks to swap them.

 

So, on this 454 the external damper came loose and just rattles around down there between the drive pulley and engine block. Is this a huge deal to fix or do I simply just stick a new one on? (I'm assuming this one is probably no good now). Has anybody ever tried a fluid filled balancer? I found quite a few of them online... and I was just curious if they are any better.

 

Also the serpentine belt keeps jumping over about 2 grooves to the outside of the drive pulley (sticks out about 1-2 grooves but is perfectly lined up on the other pulleys) is this related to the above issue or does that mean the crank pulley is probably shot?

 

Also has anyone done a conversion to the newer instrument panel? the 89 sucks and I'd like to switch to the 91-94 cluster with the built in tach.

 

Thanks

[Ron J]

I've installed turbo 400's in a car many years ago all by myself on a gravel driveway( friends would be in the way). I put the front wheels of the car on a pair of ramps.(n I probably used some 2x12's and concrete blocks for ramps. I had a 2x12, 8 foot long. I laid it in front of the car, put the transmission on the board, slid the trany under the car, put the front edge of the board on a couple of concrete blocks and used a small floor jack to lift the tranny in place. and bolt it up.