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I have a 1968 Firebird 400 with an automatic transmission that just went out. I was going about 40, and all of a sudden it made a noise and wouldn't go any faster than 20, though the engine was racing like it was going much faster. Reminded me of when someone accidentally shifts into neutral, and the engine revs up, but it's not going very fast. Does anybody know what the cost is going to be to repair/rebuild it?
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Dumb question, but did it run out of fluid or is the filter clogged?
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It's in the shop now. I assume the guy would have told me if it ran out of fluid or if the filter was clogged. He just said I need a new/rebuilt one, and it might cost around $3,500. He said something like "things happen which cause other things to happen". I didn't question him at the time. Told him I would talk to him Monday after I decided what I was going to do.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Ouch. $3500? Is your bird a real 400 car? if so, it will have a Turbo 400 trans. I would think you could get a rebuilt Turbo 400 for $1000-1500. They're not that hard to get. And then just a few hours labor for the swap. Someone else can chime in.
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1) Where in Texas are you?
2) First thing Monday morning, show up at his door with a flat bed tow truck and get your car the heck out of his place.
3) Yes, complete rebuild can be done for $1500 or less including removal and replace. At least that is the price I've heard around here in San Antonio.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top, auto
1969 GTO Judge coupe, Carousel Red, manual
1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto
1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver), Fire Red, white top, auto
1972 Buick GS Stage 1, Royal Blue, black vinyl top, auto
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Agree. It was a few years ago but the last one I had bench built cost me $750 w/new converter. Find another shop. He doesn't want the job.
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I'm in Houston. My brother suggested the same thing, that I just have it towed back to the house until I had time to think about what I was going to do. The shop is what I thought was a reputable one. They work on classic cars, race cars, etc. I've had other work done there, too. I thought I would check a couple of other shops here in Houston that work on classic cars and see what they would charge for a complete rebuild. This is a one owner Firebird. I got it October 30, 1967. Thanks to everybody for the information.
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Just for reference you could buy a 200R-4 from a place like California Performance Transmission for $1699. All in you for TQ convertor, shipping and various other parts anf install you would be at around $2500. Still well under his quote. Plus you would have an overdrive gear. I'm not recommending CPT, but do know a couple people who have had success with them.
His $3500 suggests that he thinks there is more wrong with the car beyond the trans. That and the "well one thing leads to another" comment.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top, auto
1969 GTO Judge coupe, Carousel Red, manual
1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto
1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver), Fire Red, white top, auto
1972 Buick GS Stage 1, Royal Blue, black vinyl top, auto
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I'm in the process of having my "68 Firebird converted from a turboglide to a rebuilt 200R4. The cost for parts and labor is way less than $3500.
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Just talked again to one of the guys at the repair shop. He said if the core wasn't cracked, it would be $500 to $800 less. So, he said the cost would still be $2,500 to $2,800. Also said the power glide was rare and hard to find. I checked one other place, and they said $1,850. Waiting to hear back from another with a price, and another said $3,500 seemed like a lot.
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Just talked again to one of the guys at the repair shop. He said if the core wasn't cracked, it would be $500 to $800 less. So, he said the cost would still be $2,500 to $2,800. Also said the power glide was rare and hard to find. I checked one other place, and they said $1,850. Waiting to hear back from another with a price, and another said $3,500 seemed like a lot. If you have an original 400 engine, it is not a "Powerglide". The 400s got a TH400. Check with some other trans shops.
Jim
'68 400HO Conv.
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Just talked again to one of the guys at the repair shop. He said if the core wasn't cracked, it would be $500 to $800 less. So, he said the cost would still be $2,500 to $2,800. Also said the power glide was rare and hard to find. I checked one other place, and they said $1,850. Waiting to hear back from another with a price, and another said $3,500 seemed like a lot. Had my th400 rebuilt last winter for around $400. Someone is taking you for a ride, or has no clue what they are looking at.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold  1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
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My last rebuild, about 13 years ago, was $800.
Jim
'68 400HO Conv.
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Has anybody in Houston ever heard anything about the quality of work done by Rehab Garage on Louetta or City Classic Cars on Stuebner-Airline?
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Sorry I'm late to this topic!
I have a rebuilt TH400 available. Was built about 3 years ago...including the "new" case, it was $750.
JudyCP, send me an IM if you're interested. $500 and it's yours!
I'm just north of New Orleans...
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
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JudyCP, YOU BETTER GET IT WHILE HE"S DRUNK!!! THAT"S A STEAL!!  If I were closer, it would be mine. Bronze Bird, BTW- there are 2 dogs in house now. My oldest moved back from the East Coast and brought his with him. 
Last edited by Sleddog; 02/02/17 08:58 PM.
Cant wait for summer...
68HO4004spvert
Sleddog
Iowa
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JudyCP, YOU BETTER GET IT WHILE HE"S DRUNK!!! THAT"S A STEAL!! If I were closer, it would be mine. Bronze Bird, BTW- there are 2 dogs in house now. My oldest moved back from the East Coast and brought his with him. Come get it!...and bring the dogs!!
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
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Run for the hills. I blew my tranny out last year in my 67. It has a TH400 from a 68 and a 400 from a 68.. I pulled the engine and tranny, dropped it off at the shop. Had it rebuilt to handle 1000 HP and added a shift kit. Cost $1142 out the door.
$3500 is highway robbery. 2 hours to get the engine out, 3 to put back in. Nice B&M rebuild kit is $230.
1957 Thunderbird 289
1967 Firebird Base 461
1968 C-20 327
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