BlueCalais79

I've been advised my tailshaft in my 200R4 transmission is damaged beyond repair. This Trans was installed rebuilt in 79 Blue Calais back in 2002. It was gone through in 2014. A quick question, is this something that can be repaired, or based on the age(s) of the rebuild is it just time to get another rebuilt 200R4? I am in SC, there is a place in Hudson, FL I can get one, a stock Rebuild for $1900 plus $350 shipping plus $250 core.

I'm thinking the one in the car does not owe me anything and its time to start fresh...........?

olds 307 and 403

Do you have a picture? That is one of the advantages of the removable tail shaft.

joe_padavano

It would help to know exactly what is bad on your trans and why. The "tailshaft" is technically the output shaft, which is obviously replaceable (with significant trans disassembly). The tailHOUSING is the part of the case at the back, and as you know, it is an integral part of the 200-4R case. That tailhousing has a replaceable bushing, which is what normally gets screwed up. Unless the bushing has siezed on the driveshaft front yoke and spun in the case, I'm struggling to understand how the case is damaged. And keep in mind that until you find the true cause of the failure, simply replacing the trans may lead to another failure in the future if the root cause is the driveshaft or trans misalignment or some other thing not related to the case itself.

Note, by the way, that the output shaft of the trans is actually restrained axially by the planetary gear sets and the low-rev clutch housing. Assembly of the trans requires a special tool to set the output shaft position in the case while those other parts are installed and shimmed. If those parts were not installed correctly of if end play was not set correctly, axial motion of the output shaft can cause problems.

BlueCalais79

Thanks Joe, I will take another closer look, and set up some pictures at a later date. Much appreciated. I'll need to get under that car & pull the driveshaft but that will have to wait after next week's Georgia Moonshine Show in Dalton, GA (not taking this car, I'm taking my 79 H/O).

BlueCalais79

Decided to roll with a rebuilt 200R4, just ordered one from Extreme Automatics per good recs from this site. It will be a Stage 1 deal. Sure wish they had something milder for my 105hp 260 wheezer, but if I ever decide to go with a 350 or even a 403 someday, I will be set with a good trans.