HELP! Would you buy this C4 if you found this in the pan?

Guy works for SAM and builds jegs engine challenge motors (saw his picture in the magazine articles to prove it), but did NOT build this transmission.

Selling it for $250, and says recently rebuilt around 10k miles ago.

Pulled from a 73 Mav 302, swapping over to manual trans.

Would you buy this based on finding this in the pan? Oil looks decent, but there are very light metal dust in the middle of the pan and some "sand" toward the top.

I tilted the pan so the oil would slowly drain downwards, and the heavy stuff stayed at the top, the metal dust floated down a bit.

The dipstick tube was just stuck in loosely, not stuck in to the o-ring and the bolt holding the top down to the bellhousing was of course not in. Could this just be junk picked up during removal and transport, or should I run from this deal.

He offered me to get my cash back if I wasn't satisifed with what I saw inside.

Any help would be appreciated.

$250 cash.

 

Bonus, I got a personal tour of the SAM facility and got to see some of the projects they are working on. FAR OUT!!!

http://www.samracing.com/main.htm

 

Which facility is that, that you call "your" facility?

There are lots of pics on that site. Nothing like being there in person.

The rest of the outside of the trans looks good. Just a bit of dirt here and there, very minor grease spot at the shifter, but dry from leaks and oil everywhere else.

I am leaning toward keeping it unless someone specifically tells me to RUN AWAY!!!

 

I don't typically BUMP, but since this guy gave me a time limit on my money back, I would like to see at least 3 or 4 "gopher it"s and no "run away"s in the next 24 or so hours....

My gut feeling is good, but I openly admit I know CRAP about bodywork and transmissions, so I am open for multiple suggestions at this point.

Yes, it is only $250, but that is 2 weeks groceries for the family if I back out on this deal...

 

If there arent any chunks of metal in it, just the usual grey metallic dust,I would say its a keeper for 250.00. Ultimately Scott,its up to you but...I would grab it if I liked automatic transmissions...and it was closer.Good luck!!!

 

I don't recall ever taking a pan off of a c4 with a few miles without seeing the same thing. I personally think I would take a chance on it. As stated, sounds like normal wear and tear.

 

I would get it if you need one. They are easy to freshen too if needed. I'd probably get it, clean up the inside and valve body and put it back together. The pan and valve body usually get quite a bit of clutch dust in them, but its never caused a problem with mine.

 

I will be swapping the valve body out with the one in my current driver, with the homemade shift kit. 3000 stall converter.

Then I will eventually send the current trans in for a high-end rebuild ready for some track running or more than I ever intend to throw at it. Then eventually swap it out and sell the one I am getting ready to install (or have it rebuilt and sell if it the price is feasible).

That is kinda where I am at at this point.

 

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I will keep the trans, clean it up, and slap it in.

Blown, For some reason, I had no idea you were part of one of the automotive univerisities.

I envy you. Especially after walking through SAM, it is great to see guys having fun, and learning to do something they enjoy.

I just hope they don't ever get the feeling that "it is just another day's work" and it stays fun for them..

 

Well, just to be safe, I had the trans dropped off at the local shop for an inspection, and asked if it could handle a hypothetical 350 HP and 3000 stall.

He said it is in fine condition, but wouldn't last long under those circumstances.

So who wants to help me drop a trans?

 

I got to take the tour. A very cool facility indeed! Next time I will bring a block, some heads and ???

 

Hey Scott.

From another tranny guy that I trust, finding that "stuff" in the pan isn't that surprising. It's just the "newness" that's worn off those rotating thingamabobbies inside.

I hear you might be racing your Mav on Sep 4th. I hope I can get mine going by then. ha!

Come by and help turn a wrench/have cool refreshing drinks with me, Alan, and Ed anytime.

See ya.

 

Oh yeah, further on the BS and Tidbits side of things:

A kid at SAM took my stock block to bore it .030" over (years ago). He left it on the machine over night (semi-finished) and came back to find it off the machine. He had to go back in and bore it to .040" over (instead of .030") to account for the misalignments caused by the interruption.

If there is "no replacement for displacement", then 349 stroker is better than a 347 stroker, right? ha! Not sure, but that block is the one that cracked on me (not saying that was the cause - at all. Just sayin').

 

I can't think of anything else to add right now.

 

Well, I have the car half apart right now in the process of swapping the transmission. I "might" get it pulled this weekend. But I really would like to put in a better converter before I install the next one so I might be out of the loop for a couple weeks.

I will try to get everything back together in time for Sept 4...

I tell you what. Having that A/C duct installed in the garage is paying off right now. It is not cool in there, but I worked out there for 3 hours without breaking a sweat.

Anyone else in Texas working in their garage and NOT sweating?