Check trans while out of car?
 

In a previous post, I explained my dilemma in dealing with my 83 300SD, who's Trans, died. I spent awful day pulling a Trans from an 84 300D with unknown history. I am not a tightwad, my cash being what it is at this moment I have limited options.

I had 2 cars at this yard to pull from.

An 81 300TD and an 84 300D. I pulled the pans on each. The 300D had a darker brownish fluid but did not smell burnt, there were no chips or pieces in the pan that I could see and when pouring some fluid in sunlight, didn't see metal particulates. It smelled almost like the rear end oil I just drained on the Wagon we have. It had a medium impart in the right rear (truck needed to be tied shut) and the CV boots were torn with the starboard one having come apart. There was a receipt from 2000 for a Tran’s service with 212,000 on the clock.

The 81 300TD had bright Red fluid but there were some hard metal pieces larger than BB. Body seemed ok and rear end was together.

So my prayer is that the one I pulled was lacking a proper fluid change but is solid.

Is there any way for me to check it out before installing it and if not... is there a shortcut short of everything being hooked up?

Sorry for the long winded post....I am spent and tired. Just don't think I could handle going through the install process only to find out it is dead. I can deal with the time spent so far. (Only with a minor bout of depression)

Thanks
Don

Check with transmission shops... I believe they can 'dyno test' it for you... prices may vary.