Tranny issues; to sell or not to sell

[peachykeen]

Just thought I'd expose myself and the hole I've dug for myself. Thanks in advance for any advice and reading.

I bought a 79 300TD a couple states away knowing all its extensive mech. history from its owner (a mechanic and mechanist). He rebuilt the engine and many, many tidbits of restoration all over (a/c, lines, suspension, upholstery, etc., etc.). For 1800 it was mine knowing that the only thing needing repair was the.................................. tranny.

Is anyone smiling yet? He told me that he doesn't know tranny's well, but that it worked fine for over 9yrs until it stopped. His mechanic looked at it and wasn't able to fix it in time as the mechanic was nearing retirement. He remembered him saying he thought it would be a quick fix. The car sat for a couple years. I still feel that the seller was very upfront w/ me and actually just wanted the 1800 back out of it from putting in a torque converter and seals...

I came along and got it and brought it to a Mercedes dealership nearby to have it fixed--of course no warranty of any kind. They put in a new used valve body and it worked....kind of. I was able to drive it through 2 states to get home but within 4wks it was not functioning--originally thinking it was vacuum related...until... I noticed right away that the shifting was not smooth at all...taking almost 35mph to get out of 2nd and almost 60 to get into 3rd ...$1900 put into the tranny including some elec. and fuel line flusing...

Now I have the 'opportunity' to have Aamco go into it for $1000 and 'find' whatever is broke and fix it. Wise? or no? better off selling it as is? or better finding a used tranny? or a complete rebuild? The first option of these 3 is supposedly the cheapest (under $2k).

Hopefully this was entertaining and for anyone that would like to give advice, please, please share any wisdom you may have on the subject! Thanks.

[atikovi]

A lot depends on what you want out of it, how much you want to spend, what shape the rest of the car is in and and how much you can do yourself. If it's a keeper get a factory reman unit. If you can do work yourself, get a used one at a pick and pull for $100 or so. If it was me, I'd buy a driveable wreck, so at least I could check the tranny condition, and just swap.
You should be ably to find one under $500.

[jwhughes3]

Originally Posted by atikovi

A lot depends on what you want out of it, how much you want to spend, what shape the rest of the car is in and and how much you can do yourself. If it's a keeper get a factory reman unit. If you can do work yourself, get a used one at a pick and pull for $100 or so. If it was me, I'd buy a driveable wreck, so at least I could check the tranny condition, and just swap.
You should be ably to find one under $500.

I concur with atikovi!

John in San Antonio

(and I don't trust AAMCO, damhik)