How to Install a GM Turbo 350 Automatic Transmission

Removing the Transmission

• 1). Park the vehicle on a level surface. Release the parking brake.
  
  
• 2). Remove the bolts that secure the driveshaft to the front of the differential with an open-end wrench to release the driveshaft. Pull the driveshaft out of the transmission.
  
  
• 3). Turn the integral nut at the tip of the speedometer cable in a counterclockwise direction with an open-end wrench until the nut is loose. Pull the cable out of the transmission.
  
  
• 4). Pull the rubber vacuum line off the vacuum modulator located at the back of the transmission.
  
  
• 5). Turn the integral nut at the tip of each oil cooler pipe in a counterclockwise direction with a flare-nut wrench until the nuts are loose. Pull the pipes off the transmission.
  
  
• 6). Remove the bolt and nut assembly that secures the shift linkage rod to the driver’s side of the transmission with a socket wrench, then pull the linkage rod off of the transmission.
  
  
• 7). Support the underside of the transmission with a jack.
  
  
• 8). Remove the bolts that secure the rear transmission mount to the vehicle’s frame with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 9). Remove the four bolts that secure the crossmember to the underside of the transmission with a socket wrench. Two bolts are on each end of the crossmember.
  
  
• 10
  
  Remove the converter-to-flex plate bolts located at the front of the transmission with an open-end wrench.
  
  
• 11
  
  Remove the transmission-to-engine bolts with an open-end wrench.
  
  
• 12
  
  Raise the transmission slightly with the jack. Slide the transmission rearward from the engine and lower it away from the vehicle.
  
  

Installing the Transmission

• 1). Guide the front of the transmission into the back of the engine with the jack, ensuring that the converter-to-flex plate bolt holes align.
  
  
• 2). Install the transmission-to-engine bolts with an open-end wrench.
  
  
• 3). Install the transmission-to-flex plate bolts with an open-end wrench.
  
  
• 4). Position the crossmember against the underside of the transmission. Install the crossmember’s four bolts with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 5). Install the bolts that secure the rear transmission mount to the vehicle’s frame with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 6). Install the bolt and nut assembly that secures the shift linkage rod to the driver’s side of the transmission with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 7). Position the two oil cooler pipes against the transmission. Rotate the integral nut at the tip of each pipe in a clockwise direction with a flare-nut wrench.
  
  
• 8). Push the rubber vacuum line onto the nipple in the center of the vacuum modulator located at the back of the transmission.
  
  
• 9). Position the speedometer cable into place against the transmission. Rotate the integral nut at the tip of the cable in a clockwise direction with an open-end wrench until the cable is secure.
  
  
• 10
  
  Slide the front of the driveshaft into the back of the transmission. Install and tighten the driveshaft’s four retaining bolts with an open-end wrench to secure it to the front of the differential.
  
  
• 11
  
  Pour about 9 quarts of fresh transmission fluid into the transmission’s dipstick tube.
  
  
• 12
  
  Start the engine. Allow it to run at a fast idle for about two minutes.
  
  
• 13
  
  Add transmission fluid if necessary. Note that the distance between the “ADD” and full (“F”) marks on the transmission’s dipstick represents one pint.