Cost for transmission rebuild?

[chrisbutnut]

There's a beautiful 68 Sedan DeVille on eBay right now that has 36K miles.  The listing says it has a non-functional transmission and will have to be transported on a trailer.  I know that a transmission that "is not functioning" can mean many things, but any idea on a ballpark cost to have the transmission rebuilt?  It's not something that I would do myself.  This car is really tempting, depending on what it goes for.  I'd have to drive to Utah, rent a trailer and haul it back myself. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196752886024?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20240723115851%26meid%3D3ee6cc59ab6a49c7ad11ec53ee36e873%26pid%3D101952%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26itm%3D196752886024%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DWatchlistVariantWithMLR_BP&_trksid=p4375194.c101952.m162921&_trkparms=parentrq%3Af35eb4481920a47df9634c23ffff9ae4%7Cpageci%3Ab6f15f49-9a14-11ef-932f-960053cbd834%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage

[bcroe]

As I have said, any trans at such age needs to have been
refreshed, as the rubber seals of internal clutchs and
external may fail if they have not already.  If the TH400
has not otherwise been abused, it may need only a $40 soft
kit installed, I would reuse the hard parts that are most
likely better quality than available replacements. 

UNFORTUNATELY the labor is going to be as much as a full
rebuild, some money if you cannot do it yourself. 

My real QUESTION is, will a straightforward trans rebuild
fix the car?  Is there a broken flexplate or other damage
to cause complete failure at such low miles?  I have been
happy to pay a much reduced price for a nice car with a
blown trans, I was going to pull it anyway (to make a
reliable road car, along with a few other things). 
Best to inspect it closely.  good luck, Bruce Roe

[Michael Petti]

To your original question. My son had a 56 CDV rebuilt for around $3400.00 10 years ago if I remember correctly.
I had a 60 CDV Transmission "resealed" for $1,400.00 and was told a rebuild would have been at least double.
Based on these numbers I would guess a rebuild would run from anywhere from $3,500.00 to $4,000.00.
His ad says it drives and steers and brakes work. I'd ask what exactly does "non-functional" mean in relation to this car.
You may not need a full rebuild.

[Clewisiii]

The rebuild for my 61 hydromatic was $2000. Thankfully i did not have to pay shipping to Classic Hydromatic. But he moved from Michigan to north or south Carolina. So now that would be with shipping.

[bcroe]

I would not use a pre 64 trans as a good comparison, those
were much more difficult and parts far more a problem, than
late 60s and 70s TH400.  Bruce Roe

[chrisbutnut]

That car ended up selling for $7,200.  I think that's a good price, but decided not to bid since I was unable to see the car in person, would have had to either pay
to transport it back or driven to Utah from Oregon, rented a trailer and hauled it back myself, and then the unknown costs to repair whatever the issues with the
transmission were.  Truthfully, I only wanted the car to swap out a few parts, and would have gotten it fixed and resold it, hopefully covering all of my costs and
maybe making a bit of money.  I know the sedans sell for less than the coupes and convertibles, but too many unknowns and risks on this one.  I appreciate the
responses, though. 

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I did a reseal on my 59 with a local shop that did a decent job.  Shifts fine and no leaks.  3200.  Another 59 friend did a full rebuild for about 3800