Ok, transmission is all rebuilt. Like I said in the last post, it's been a bit of an ordeal, but it could have been worse, just all part of learning. I initially stopped bodywork and switched to the transmission in case there were part delays for the transmission. When I called Jake's Performance, they said the intermediate shafts were delayed by a week, but to my surprise the kit shipped the next day! I ordered the kit from them without electrical parts because they said those would have delayed the kit. I didn't want to order anything else until I received the kit so I could order anything else I needed at the same time. I ordered the kit with the optional recalibration kit, but didn't see it in the box. When I called them about that they said I didn't need the calibration kit since I was doing a build for a heavy diesel truck.....they had missed that they charged me for it so they promptly refunded me.
I then evaluated what I received some more and it had nothing in it for the valve body, even though there are problem areas that should be addressed. I ordered a Shift Correction Package from Superior Transmission Parts based on reviews. I also ordered a Transgo Actuator Feed Limit Valve Repair Kit since that is also a common problem. The I also ordered all of the electrical parts.
I built the trans to the instructions of the Transmission Bench video and expected to see some info about checking the end play once the pump was installed. Nope. Ok, time to research..... Apparently when doing a stock build you can safely ignore checking play because you know it had the correct clearances previously if it was a working unit. However, I was building a performance unit with hard part replacements and modifications. First was the rollerized output. I needed to tear it back down to the center support and check that end play. It was close, but I added .005" to get it in the sweet spot. Then I had to check the clearance between the carriers - it felt a little loose (you can't directly measure this one) so I needed to order some shims. While I was at it I looked up the other shims to adjust front end play and ordered them all so I would be ready for that. With the shims in hand it was pretty quick to get the clearances in the sweet spot. Turns out the carriers only needed .005" to be nice and the front I only needed to put the next thicker size of selective thrust washer.
The big take away of this whole experience is that I should have first put the disassembled drivetrain parts in the case to check my end plays, done the appropriate shimming and then done the normal rebuild procedure, which includes checking/setting clearances in the packs.
Jake's kit has really nice parts in it, but I know a chunk of the cost of the kit is the instructions they send with the kit. I feel confident that for the next build I can source most of my own parts and just get the proprietary ones from him and save a little money. I now feel much better armed for the next build, though I still have a few notes to jot down for myself while everything is fresh. Time to clean up and switch back to bodywork.
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