I'm looking at a 79 revcon. The ad said the transmission had been recently rebuilt. I took it for a test drive and while on the highway it dropped out of 3rd gear at about 55 and stopped accelerating.I pulled to the side of the road and shifted to 2. It moved moved forward fine. As I gained speed I shifted to D with no noticeable difference. Sounded like it was still in 2. I shifted between D and 2 several times as I drove it back to the sellers house. I could not hear or feel a change in gear. The owner sent text today saying it was a seal. Am I looking at possibly rebuilding the transmission? Is the seller not being honest?

If the seller is motivated, I'm sure he would not mind paying for a second opinion from a transmission shop that YOU chose. That is the only way to determine if the transmission is faulty. I assume that he has documentation from the shop that did the work. If he does NOT have receipts for a compete transmission rebuild, I would walk away. He might have just had a transmission SERVICE, instead of a complete rebuild.

Tell him you will consider After He gets the tranny repaired.

"Recently rebuilt" could mean he attempted some kind of repair on the trans to get the thing out of his hands. A recently rebuilt trans, if rebuilt by a reputable shop will look brand new. The diagnosis of "a seal" is suspect. What you describe sounds like a loss in pressure so it won't hold 3rd gear. While this could be one of a variety of "seals", you'd need to remove the transmission to properly diagnose and repair it. I think you're looking at trouble unless he can produce a receipt for the repair or the rebuild.BUT, if you're handy I wouldn't be afraid of swapping out a transmission in these old things. Everything is easy to get at, but I'd knock $1k off the asking price for the risk. I'd guess that you can find a good, used trans on CL for that much. Or, $1k would get you half way to a proper rebuild.

Mandalay Parr wrote:Tell him you will consider After He gets the tranny repaired.He most likely won't do that unless he's sure of the sale, so it might be best to use it as a tool to negotiate further, using a little more than the price of a rebuild. Then install a good used one instead and after all, the rest of the rig is used.

Ask him for the build sheet. If he can't produce this from the people that rebuilt it then it didn't happen. Move on.

transmission issues | Good Sam Community

rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Nov 09, 2014
If the seller is motivated, I'm sure he would not mind paying for a second opinion from a transmission shop that YOU chose. That is the only way to determine if the transmission is faulty.
I assume that he has documentation from the shop that did the work. If he does NOT have receipts for a compete transmission rebuild, I would walk away.
He might have just had a transmission SERVICE, instead of a complete rebuild.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Tell him you will consider After He gets the tranny repaired.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
"Recently rebuilt" could mean he attempted some kind of repair on the trans to get the thing out of his hands. A recently rebuilt trans, if rebuilt by a reputable shop will look brand new.

The diagnosis of "a seal" is suspect. What you describe sounds like a loss in pressure so it won't hold 3rd gear. While this could be one of a variety of "seals", you'd need to remove the transmission to properly diagnose and repair it. I think you're looking at trouble unless he can produce a receipt for the repair or the rebuild.

BUT, if you're handy I wouldn't be afraid of swapping out a transmission in these old things. Everything is easy to get at, but I'd knock $1k off the asking price for the risk. I'd guess that you can find a good, used trans on CL for that much. Or, $1k would get you half way to a proper rebuild.
tropical36
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Mandalay Parr wrote:
Tell him you will consider After He gets the tranny repaired.

He most likely won't do that unless he's sure of the sale, so it might be best to use it as a tool to negotiate further, using a little more than the price of a rebuild. Then install a good used one instead and after all, the rest of the rig is used.
352
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Ask him for the build sheet. If he can't produce this from the people that rebuilt it then it didn't happen. Move on.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2014
There are many men who are very capable and would be able to purchase a rebuilt transmission and intall it themselves. All things are not fixed by shops as many of you do it your selfers should know. See what documentation he has, and then decide based on that if you are still interested, wish to have a transmission shop check it, or walk away.
redguard
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Installing a properly rebuilt trans in a 79 Rv will cost as much as the unit is worth
the_silverback
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
Move on!!
olfarmer
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2014
If you are willing and able to fix it yourself and can get a super buy on it then go for it, but paying someone to sell and install a rebuilt tranny will cost more than the unit is worth. Also, I question the owners diagnosis of a bad seal. Good Luck!
427435
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
It may be a bad seal------------but the seal is likely in a clutch pack inside the transmission. That means a transmission removal and disassemble. If it was recently rebuilt, why doesn't the seller have the rebuilder fix it?