I had to tow my 1970 Chevelle with a tow dolly several hundred miles in neutral with the driveshaft connected; it has a TH350 rebuilt about 50k miles ago with a B&M shift kit. I have not used it since; what may I have damaged, teh trans or rear end? I knew to unhook the driveshaft, but after the engine dropped a valve I did not have the tools to do it and I was a long way fron home. Thanks

if you had fluid in it it should be fine. I towed a car with a chain from Ohio to upstate NY no problem.. The only time this is a problem is with the 4x4 transfer cases..

25 miles is all you should flat tow an automatic car without it running...
would you drive your car hundred miles with no oil pressure???

hundred miles of use from the tail shaft on in.. without any oil (tran fluid)
you cooked it...
that is the reason you drop the driveshaft on tows over 25 miles or tow it rearwheels on dolly

Had my 74 camaro towed 15 miles with rear wheels down smoked the TCI street fighter 350. lost all gears. You can start it and see what has happened but more than likely the tranny is gone.

Well the trans does have a fresh rebuild on it. So it might just be alright. Have you tried driving it?

All you can do it try it, if it is fried it isnt a big deal, $100 or less for a good used TH350 and $60 for a transpak.

Thanks for the replies everybody. Since the motor dropped a valve, I replaced the engine/trans combo from my other Chevelle, so this trans is out now and I was just wondering if it would be any good. I'll try it.

PS the trans was full of fluid; it had no leaks or problems

But the input shaft wasn't turning so the pump wasn't running to keep the fluid circulating to the parts that were turning. The fluid just went along for the ride in the pan. If it isn't fried, you dodged a bullet, Matrix style...

I just rebuilt one the other day that had been towed like this.

You may as well take it out and rebuild it, the rear bearing will be toasted, as well as the rear case bushing.
If it was very full and tilted at a pretty good angle during towing it may lessen the damage as the parts could have been immersed in fluid.

The TH400 I did, I replaced all the rear drive assembly...

and the verdict is...................TOAST! the trans will pull in 1st & 2nd with an OK shift, but has to be revved way up to shift into 3rd, then the car will hardly pull. There is metal in the pan. The trans will be rebuilt, thanks for all the help guys!

Its too bad you went to all the work to put it in and found that you will have to take it right back out again. But it was a craps shoot anyways.

this is going t sound stuiped. my 94 s-10 has been towed for about a 200 mile trip on a rope, and had no problems sinces. i also agree with these guys. it is probably toaste. jamie