Hi comrades,

I just bought a 93' 4x4 with 189,000 miles on it (Pics up after I pick it up in San Diego) and it has the original 518 in it. The guy didn't drive it much and says it its three speed, which, from what i have read is wrong because it's a 93'.

How long, if not abused in any fashion including towing, would a 518 be able to last before developing major issues. Every time I see an auto truck with over 250k it seems the trans has always been replaced. Am I looking at a rebuild, or NV4500 swap here in a few thousand miles, or will the 518 duke it out for the next few years? спасибо -Vostokov

 

The 518 CAN be bullet-proof, if you build it right and not hitch a 500HP engine to it. The biggest thing with the autos is the stock torque converter. Basically, they suck. And if you're in there replacing the converter, you may as well go on and do all the soft parts too, right? Hence, every truck you see will have a 'rebuilt' tranny. I had mine done a bit over a year ago, and all my planetaries etc. were spotless. My truck had been used to haul a 6-horse trailer all over the country, (somewhere around 20,000 lbs. loaded) before I got my hands on it, so while it hadn't been abused, it had worked for a living! So they're reliable, just not in a high-horsepower engine. I'm sure JQmile might have a thing or two to say about that, but there's speculation that he's not getting all his power to the ground, meaning it's getting lost in the tranny. All that torque has to go somewhere, and metal can only take so much before it begins to break...
However, if you're not going to be shooting nitrous in your engine like he is, and want a solid auto, you're going to be fine with it.

p.s. How do you write in Russian, (am I right in thinking the language is Cryllic? ) with a standard keyboard?

 

Go into control panel/keyboard and you can make your keyboard do any language ...Mark

 

My A518 has lasted a lot longer than i thought it would. It was rebuilt once that i know of but it was a long time ago. It has taken every bit of power I've thrown at it. Yeah I don't think its at 100% and it definately doesn't get all my power to the ground. (thanks to the crappy stock torque converter) But I don't get why everyone bad mouths the autos so much, cuz mine has held up really well considering. I've been surprised. I give it my respect.

 

My 518 was babied by the previous owner for 150k. I had it for 6k and the shaft sheared and the housing exploded at a traffic light. Did I beat on it? No. Did it give any warning? No. Did I turn up the pump? Well...a little.

 

agree about the crappy converter. i submit that most but not all the trans troubles come from overloading and abuse. i gave up on the 4 speed stuff in 1966. raced the auto for 12 years. only trouble with auto was always MY stupidity.

 

Nothing is bullet proof!!!

The issue I see here is a guy wants a bullet proof trans built by a good shop.
Then later the owner adds 100-200 or more hp.
The trans needs to be built for the application. No more no less.
This includes the torque converter.

A trans built for 700 hp is not a good choice for a 300 hp truck.

 

mine went 235,xxx was rebluit twice then went for the third time i said enough five speed time

 

I don't plan on doing anything to the fuel pump that would affect engine and trans reliability and longevity. I know the engine and rest of the truck will be fine for my purposes, I will be putting on mileage with this truck, that is the only heavy use other than bed load of oak or lumber for building a shed or other truck purposes. I am not going to be building a 700hp Cummins, although that would be sweet. If I was into destroying engines and transmissions, I would have gotten something that I hated and didnt care if I blew it up, like a Ford or a GM truck and then poured gasoline on it in a field and lit it on fire.

 

Well sir, there are things you can do to these trucks that will give you more power and not reduce reliability or longevity. And really, longevity is dictated more by HOW you drive. I understand your point though. I was thinking the same thing when I got my truck, and now I think I'll settle for somewhere around 300 HP. (Famous last words, right boys?! ) That's completely do-able and keep her safe and sound.

 

Nerf bullets maybe...