What are the costs and options for rebuilt T18s?

[Alvin in AZ]

What do you guys clean your big parts in? :)
What products do you use?
A retired neighbor that rebuilds automatic transmissions says to use ATF and gasoline on my T18.

I used to have a lye-vat that I could submerge the magnesium VW engine cases in.

Alvin ain't a smoker;) in AZ

[averagef250]

I use a Landa spinjet 150 aqueous parts washer. Superclean, a scrub brush and a pressurewasher do a pretty good job too though.

[AlleyCat]

For the small stuff I use kerosene in a 3 gallon homemade parts washer. For bigger parts like trans cases or bigger projects that involve a lot of parts I haul 'em to work. We have a steam jenny, a big pressure washer and several parts washers that use stoddard solvent. Boss doesn't care as long as I'm off the clock and not making money on the project.

[robroy]

The difference in the $600 quote and the $1500 quote is the integrity of the shop. Takes me a solid day start to finish to overhaul most pickup sticks.

Hey Dustin, thanks very much for your reply!

When you say that the difference between $600 and $1,500 is the integrity of the shop, does that mean that the $600 has high integrity or the $1,500?

If you mean that the $1,500 quote is likely to come from the shop with higher integrity, I'm confused about your previous comment that a rebuild should never be above $600, and that the $1,500 worst case scenario quote was unreasonable. Were you referring to the same type of rebuild in that previous post as the type you're referring to in this most recent post?

Thanks again for your most excellent advice Dustin!
-Robroy

[peanutman]

Robroy, i ran into the same $$$ problems when looking for a rebuilder for my t85-n. Listen to dustin, i finally asked around and found a guy that done the rebuild for $800 and that included rebuilding the od unit.
I had talked to dustin on the phone and his quote was inline with the guy i found, finding parts was a major issue for me cause i needed a new cluster-Rare.
Take your time, ask around and find someome based off referrals from people you trust who has used the shop.

Your mail order people should be your last resort. Looking at all your post on this subject it sounds like what you need and want is a master rebuild which is all but the gears and that should include the top plate items. A master rebuild kit will cover what you need internal wise- $185-$250 thats list price, the shop is making a profit off the kit + labor that's where dustin is coming up with the $600. You should be able to get a local rebuild for $ 600-$800. Your tranny is not shot, just a little tired. Take you time and you will find the right person at a fair price.

[robroy]

Hey Peanutman! Thanks for your advice!

Yeah today I found a local shop that said they'd do it for $575 to $700, plus more if it needed significant "hard parts." It seemed like a great shop. Here's their web site (not much to look at, but here it is anyways). I dropped it off there this morning.

http://rongatestransmission.com/

Thanks!
-Robroy