2 questions please Cliff. I'm using your th350 book while rebuilding two th350's at the same time, and the book covers an amazing amount of detail, and is a great step-by-step. I'm trying to do these things right the first time and there are 2 things I'm not sure about, and would appreciate your expertise.
Question #1: Are all the piston return springs supposed to be the same length in a th350? I opened up my th350 forward drum, V8 piston with spring locator bosses and loose springs. Supposed to have 21 loose springs, but 4 are missing. These springs measure approx 1-7/32" long. I was going to replace the 4 missing springs from my th50 spare parts, but noticed that all the other springs I have are approx 1-16 to 1-3/32 long, So, the ones in my forward drum are about 1/8" longer than the rest of the springs. I don't know the history of this th350, but it looks like it was rebuilt before, and looked fresh inside and out. It probably worked fine, but was wondering about those spring lengths. Logically, since all my other springs, including the ones in cages, are the shorter length, I'd think they all were supposed to be in the 1-16" to 1-3/2" range. But I wanted to get your thoughts about it.
Question #2: Concerning the forward piston I mentioned above that has the spring locating bosses and loose springs. I understand why the loose springs MUST use a piston with bosses. And I've noticed that "caged" spring assemblies are normally used in pistons without bosses, since they don't need them. But, is there a reason I can't use a caged spring assembly on a piston with bosses? I read in the Ron Sessions book not to use loose springs in a flat piston, which is completely understandable. But he also said not to use caged springs with a piston with bosses. And I can't understand why not? I don't see any possibility of binding or limiting piston movement. Considering the clutch pack clearance in the drum is tiny, the piston doesn't have to travel far to compress the clutch pack. I have a caged spring assembly that I'd like to use in that forward piston with bosses. I actually put the caged springs in that piston and mounted it on the oil pump and air checked it, and it worked fine. Wondering if you see any problem with it. Have you done it? Thanks for your help!
