well I found out a few interesting things.....
yes Aaron, you will find out. The torque you are putting thru it should be a real test.
My 284 trans is identified at GM as a 'non-service' item.
You break it, you replace it. The WHOLE thing. !?!?!??
But they suggested I call a few trans places, too, which I did. The first place I called said they COULD fix it and even went to a suppllier book and got part numbers prices and everything, so that is a bit of a relief. Sounds like, IF the gears themselves are in good shape, that a GOOD rebuild is in the $700 range. So that is livable as long as you don't have to do that each year.
And as of this writing I think I now have 2 complete trannies, so hopefully ONE is going to last.
So that is all the thought I am going to give to them for now. The only trans sort of thing I am going to do is put in a new clutch. What clutch have you used Aaron and Sandy (and anyone else who has a bigger motor)? and what do you think of it?