hi, i'm rebuilding my th400 using ATSG book but i found some difference between the trasmission and book.
first the detent valve in the valve body (#315 in ATSG book) was not in the same direction, the flat side was against the detent regulator valve (#316) not against the plug.
second both forward and direct clutch are full of spring, there is no blank hole like it's said in ATSG book.
does anyone already experience it ?
this transmission come from a junk camaro and i don't know its history, may be it's a wrong reassembly or a special tuning, i d'ont know.
many thanks for your help.

Hi i'm a little bit suprise that nobody reply at least to the spring number question cause when you change clutch you be obliged to see it.
i can't believe nobody rebuild his trany himself.

Laurent,
It's a little hard to understand your problem. Post some good quality pics and I'll be happy to answer.
mike

ok here is the link to valves body and clutch, about clutch's coil spring a guy tell me early model got all coil springs only newer model got two spring missing on each clutch, can you confirm ?
about detent valve i still havn't info.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8066/valvesbodyxp4.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5713/clutchjd3.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2441/directclutchdd9.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5286/forwardclutchxn6.jpg

Laurent,
The ATSG book illustration is not exactly perfect. The detent valve, #315, HAS to have the flat end touching the detent regulator valve, #316. If the flat end of #315 is against the plug, #314, the detent will malfunction.
As for the springs, I've seen 400's of all years having 14 or 16 springs. All of the trans books I have, early and late, specify that they may have 14 or 16 but don't specify the criteria for which ones. In theory, the functional difference between a 14 or 16 spring setup is the amount of apply pressure needed to push the piston and apply the clutches. However, I've seen some lo-po trans' with 14 or 16 and some hi-po trans' with 14 or 16. I would use the 16 springs if that's whats in it.
Maybe somebody here has actual factory documentation, not just anecdotal evidence, regarding 14 and 16 spring applications, I would like to see it.
:beers:
Mike

FWIW the fewer the springs the harder the clutch engagement. The springs counteract the hydraulic pressure acting upon the clutch pack. Ergo with 14 springs there will be a harder shift than there would be with 16 springs all other things being equal.

Many thanks for info guys, it join what i thought but now i'm sure.