Mom's Buick Reatta

After three years, it may have had its key turned for the last time! Mom loves this stinking car, and I hate to get rid of it. But there's not much chance I'll drop another thousand or two into it after all the other parts replacements we've done since it joined the family.

The transmission, suddenly and without prior symptoms, quit engaging third gear. It still shifts into reverse, 1, 2, and OD. I changed the fluid and filter, and added some of that Lucas Trans treatment to no avail. Shops around here are all quoting $1400-$1700, but have not looked at the car. So my question, gentlemen, is this: could I expect to repair this trans myself if I tried? I'm pretty mechanical, but have never opened up a transmission in my life. Is it really that complicated?

Thank you for the advice,

Steve

I forgot to add, when I changed the fluid, the pan had some metallic particles in the oily residue. Not a lot, and not large bits, but similar a metallic paint.

Buy a pick a part trans for it

I checked into a used trans. Its purchase price, along with various "fees," came to a little under a thousand on one, and about eleven hundred on another. If I were to drop that much money, I'd probably go ahead and rebuild the one she's got figuring the used ones may need a rebuild before long. After all, Mom's car just turned over 100K miles, so I don't think these items are meant to last too long. Of course, I could just be cynical....

shbsn wrote: I checked into a used trans. Its purchase price, along with various "fees," came to a little under a thousand on one, and about eleven hundred on another. If I were to drop that much money, I'd probably go ahead and rebuild the one she's got figuring the used ones may need a rebuild before long. After all, Mom's car just turned over 100K miles, so I don't think these items are meant to last too long. Of course, I could just be cynical....

Those fees sound really high. You need to find a do-it your-self yard. The one I use, transmissions go for about $150.00. Of course you have to go and get it off yourself.

Steve, that powertrain (3.8 GM with that particular trans) was put in ZILLIONS of Pontiacs and Buicks. I refuse to believe that you can't get one cheap.

I like Reattas and would hate to see one get junked.

LSX swap.

Time for an L67 & trans swap?

4g63t wrote: I like Reattas and would hate to see one get junked.

I wonder if I ever felt that way...it's so hard to remember through the fog of repairs.

Seriously though, $150 seems pretty good, and I wondered about the prices Mom had gathered.

My knowledge of American cars, especially automatics, is really lacking. Will the trans out of any Buick/Pontiac 3.8 FWD work in this car, or does it use something special? I'd definitely rather go that route than try my first trans rebuild on this particular car.

And thank you for the advice, I love this place.

Look for the Pull-A-Part chain of junkyards. Transmissions are $65 all day long with a 30 day warranty.

Rebuld an automatic transmission? Isn't that kinda like do-it-yourself brain surgery or moon landings?

pres589 wrote: Time for an L67 & trans swap?

That the FWD 5.3 LSx? If so, DO IT!!!

neon4891 wrote:

pres589 wrote: Time for an L67 & trans swap?

That the FWD 5.3 LSx? If so, DO IT!!!

No, that's the 3.8 blower motor, like what's in an SSEi and a bunch of other GM FWD cars.

Those transmissions fit all kinds of stuff. We've got one on the shelf right now for $250, but like others have said, you should be able to get one from a u-pull-it yard for $100 or under. This is the interchange according to my computer:

6000 '90-91 A.T.; TH440

Bonneville '88 A.T., FWD; engine VIN (8th digit)

Bonneville '89-91 A.T., FWD

Celebrity '90 A.T.; TH440

Eighty Eight '88 A.T., FWD; engine VIN (8th digit)

Eighty Eight '89-91 A.T., FWD

Electra '88 A.T., FWD; engine VIN (8th digit)

Electra '89-90 A.T., FWD

LeSabre '88 A.T., FWD; engine VIN (8th digit)

LeSabre '89-91 A.T., FWD

Ninety Eight '88 A.T., FWD; engine VIN (8th digit)

Ninety Eight '89-90 A.T., FWD

Park Avenue '88 A.T., FWD; engine VIN (8th digit)

Park Avenue '89-90 A.T., FWD

Reatta '88-90 A.T.

Riviera '88-90 A.T.

Toronado '88-90 A.T

Let me tell you something. Mothers that know nothing about cars have an uncanny knack for getting ripped off. My mother was a prime example (after my father died).

Just do this.

pres589 wrote:

neon4891 wrote:

pres589 wrote: Time for an L67 & trans swap?

That the FWD 5.3 LSx? If so, DO IT!!!

No, that's the 3.8 blower motor, like what's in an SSEi and a bunch of other GM FWD cars.

Hmm, 3800 SC... DO IT!!!

Sorry to thread jack, but what is the lightest/best handeling car that had those from the factory?

jpod999 wrote: Just do this.

AAHHHHHH MY EYES!!!!!

neon4891 wrote:

pres589 wrote:

neon4891 wrote:

pres589 wrote: Time for an L67 & trans swap?

That the FWD 5.3 LSx? If so, DO IT!!!

No, that's the 3.8 blower motor, like what's in an SSEi and a bunch of other GM FWD cars.

Hmm, 3800 SC... DO IT!!! Sorry to thread jack, but what is the lightest/best handeling car that had those from the factory?

3800sc + light + handling = error 404, not found.

16vCorey wrote: Those transmissions fit all kinds of stuff. We've got one on the shelf right now for $250, but like others have said, you should be able to get one from a u-pull-it yard for $100 or under.

Well I wish I had seen that earlier today, but I was working. Thank you! everybody for the help, but impatient mothers not only have a knack for getting ripped off, they also have a knack for calling trans shops and having their Buick towed in for repair. I guess I'm selling the '69 'Vette to pay for this one...see you in the classifieds!