92 Grand transmission delema-when to stop?

[Mbriggs]

Have a 92 Grand with 157k. Bought it at 145k. Transmission hits overdrive then goes into limp. Still works in r,1,2,3. Two shops say it's toast. Codes show that it's not speed sensors or selenoid. Probably an inner seal. I have a 91 van that I've used for parts. That trans has 45-50k since rebuild and has been sitting for a year. One shop says they'll put it in the 92 for $500. Or I can get a rebuild for $1,300-$1,500. I wish I was a mechanic but I'm not and it's -10 outside tonight. Should I gamble and go for the swap? I assume that the head gaskets have been done at least once on the 92 but don't know. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks!

[gforster]

If the fault happens every single time it tries a 3-4 upshift, then it's either the 2/4 clutch or it's seals or snapring,.. or the overdrive clutch, it's seals or snapring. If your 1-2 shift is good and solid, then that tells you it's gotta be the overdrive clutch, which by the way is in the first assembly you pull out of the tranny after the front cover. Personally if all the other shifts are good and flawless, I would tear into and fix the overdrive clutch. With that many miles (or is it km's) it's hard to say it's worth doing an entire rebuild. Have you considered a good used one from the wreckers? BTW if you can handle removing and installing tranny yourself and taking it to be rebuilt you can save yourself BIG$$$.

Maybe get the codes scanned and post 'em up
I feel for ya though, it's areal question of dollars and cents here. I think I'm lucky I turn my own wrenches as that way these things cost me more time than money.

I wish I could be of more help,

Geoff