Ok. So the tranny in my 98' 2.5L auto with 263k on it finally pooped out while I was 100 miles from home. I took it that black fluid on the stick obviously mean bad juju. That and no 4th gear and no reverse... At least it got me back to my hooch. I'm pissed only cauz I paid mucho bucks just a few months back to cure the wheel binding issue.

 

Being of unsound mind and no money I decided to tackle a swap on my own. My kid and I found a match to my TZ102Z2 at the local "U pull it" yard for 75 bucks that had only 130k on it, so we took a few weekends and muscled it out of the junk and back in mine. gotta say that I certainly couldn't have accomplished anything without hours spent reviewing the sage advice offered by ya'll.

 

So it's in, it runs, and everything is putting away merrily again. Or is it???

 

The manual stated that I should mark the positions of the torque converter as well as the drive shaft so that everything goes back together as it was, but since I used a different TC and drive shaft, have I caused an imbalance in the Force that will ultimately screw me somewhere down the road?

 

 

Now on to the dreaded timing belt that's something like 100k overdue and the oil leaks from the front seals...

Edited January 1, 201115 yr by PAJ

If it works, the it's fine. No wobbles means it's all in perfect balance and you can go on about your business. Change that timing belt ASAP though. You're riding on borrowed time, and when the clock comes to collect it ain't pretty.

 

"TheImportExperts" on Ebay timing kits are the cheapest and best route so long as you get the complete kit. Belt, idlers, tensioner, water pump. The seals are cheap enough from a dealer, and the OE quality means there is much less chance of a leak.

Now on to the dreaded timing belt . . .

 

My friend, if you can r&r a tranny then replacing the timing belt and resealing the front end is just light recreation!!! Go for it.

 

And welcome to USMB.

Yeah, but what about the expensive special tools used to hold the cam sprockets, pull seals etc...? I can see that I have more bucks to spend and homework to do on the site....

 

Maybe it can wait till spring. I just don't want to go back out in the snow to freeze my bejesus off. At least this time I won't be on my back lying on a piece of cardboard.

 

If it gets all blowed up before I get a chance to exchange the belt and associated dreck, I saw an EJ25 at the bone yard for cheap......

 

Thanks again 4 da help!

 

: )

No "special tools" needed. Nothing you can't do with basic tools and a little ingenuity and knowledge.

 

 

Ej25s are cheap because they puke head gaskets, and eat rod bearings like candy. Most people here do Ej22 swaps when the 2.5 bites the dust.