3650 repair/replace?

[GreyAsp]

I've developed a hairline crack in the the tailshaft housing. The tranny itself still works fine at 65K, but it leaks enough to where it's not really drivable as it is. And I would imagine that driving will just make the crack grow anyway, now that it's weakened. So I guess the options I have are:

1. Weld the housing. Would it be worthwhile or would I have to worry about the weakened part cracking again in the future? And could I do this without dropping the tranny?
2. Replace only that part of the housing. Is that piece even available separately? And again, could I do this without dropping the tranny?
3. Replace the tranny. It's a good excuse to upgrade and I wouldn't have to worry about future issues with a compromised part, but I don't know if I want to spend that kind of money right now.

The big issue is that I really don't want to pull the tranny again. After doing it once (with a lot of help), I was hoping I wouldn't have to go through that again. So, of course 1 or 2 would be preferable. If I have to pull the tranny, I would be really tempted to upgrade, but I don't think it's worth it for a car I'll probably sell within a year anyway.

Thoughts?

 

[quikcobra]

JB weld that sucker lol. Really depends on your pocket book and wants. You can upgrade do a whole t56 swap, OR going for big boost throw a glide in there. Or just get it fixed seal the crack. But why did it crack?

 

[cobraetti]

JB weld that sucker lol. Really depends on your pocket book and wants. You can upgrade do a whole t56 swap, OR going for big boost throw a glide in there. Or just get it fixed seal the crack. But why did it crack?

I probably would jb weld it, but why did it crack?

 

[txblackmach1]

if you plan to keep the sucker..upgrade...especially if you have plans to add more power..

other wise just go with #1

when i had my mach1 i had some grinding on 2nd and 3rd..the guy told me it wasnt gonna be that bad.long story short..he did a whole rebuild..i think i spent like 1750...
if i would of had more time..i would of def..upgraded to t56...but at that time i needed quick since i worked outta town...

 

[GreyAsp]

No idea why it happened. It's up above/behind the cross-member, so it's doubtfull that it took a rock hit. One day it was fine, next day there was fluid all down the underside. Maybe it was a latent weakness that finally manifested itself? I did some searching but only found 1 or 2 other people who had a crack there. Is that part of the housing cast?

 

[OldSVTGuy]

Personally, I'd take it off (not that bad a job) and have it welded. Aluminum welds just fine; they even weld up top fuel blocks in some cases.

Just my .02.