I spent the entire weekend taking out a 740 trans by myself. Go me! And had sucess. A leaky rear main prompted this removal.

Wouldn't you know that the trans I pulled out (on a 200k car purchased a for $200 a month ago) happens to be rebuilt (painted green). The front trans input shaft seal looks clean, as the does the rear flange seal. I have a bushing and seal for the tailshaft and a entire gasket set for the transmission, including the infamous "little ball" for the valve body. Plus, a pan gasket and filter of course.

This trans looks so good that I am not sure whether to dive in and replace the little ball and tear into the valve body for fun! As I have it out on a bench, I guess I should do as much as I can. However, since I have no records for the car, the mileage on the trans is unknown. The trans mount rubber was shot, which might be an indicator of at least a substancial amount of miles.

Should I go for the little ball replacement or leave it alone and just do the tailshaft bush and pan gasket and filter - anybody out there have experience???

Bob Weber

SW Ohio

47 Volvos since 1979

Bob --

If you decide to dive in and change the little ball, post the details of the job. I'm faced with that task on wife's '91 740 (220k) and would like a prediction of what to expect.

Don:

If I don't do it - the little ball and gasket set is yours!! LOL! I'll gladly pass the ball to you.......

I am starting on it this week a bit at a time - first I am going to put in the rear main engine seal. Have you ever seen a transmission painted green?

Is that unique to a particular transmission rebuilder (such as Amco) or just your average garage?

Bob Weber

"...the little ball and gasket set is yours!!"

Great! But I know you'll do it.

Keep track of the Volvo part numbers, please. That info would be VERY helpful.

"...ever seen a transmission painted green?"

Not painted, exactly. But I did see a car pulled from the deep -- it had a sorta furry coating of slimey green algea or something all over it....

"...unique to a particular transmission rebuilder (such as Amco) or just your average garage?"

No clue, but slime green would be fitting for Ammco. I guess it's a verdy strange color for a tranny....

Don:

The little ball is part number 1377746. The complete gasket kit that I have is 271295. Got the ball and kit for $14 on ebay.

Hey, I just turned in my petition to run for my local city council. I am officially a candidate for fall 2001. I guess that means I am a politician now - whew, that sounds bad.

Bob Weber

Hamilton, Ohio

A town with a failing economy

Bob -- thanks for the part numbers. I couldn't locate them on eBay, but if these are Volvo numbers perhaps getting them from the dealer is OK.

Good luck in city politics. You'll find that:

- Things move slowly.

- The average IQ is only 100.

- An IQ of 100 isn't smart enough to come in outta the rain.

- Others in city government approach that IQ (a few from the lower side).

- Everybody has a private agenda.

- Private agendas are almost always self-serving.

- The people on town/city Boards (yours excluded) are all idiots and think the same of other boards.

I am of the 'let sleeping dogs lie' bend. If you are happy with the trany shifrt pattern, leave it along. You might disturb more things than you desire. I have yet to repalce any balls on some terribly high mileage AW tranies. Gaskets, seals, and bearings, yes.

Lets see what others think.

dick