727 Tranny advice requested

[Mickm]

Hi Guys,
I noticed my 'Cuda has starting leaking pretty good around the pan since it has been sitting up for long periods of time while I built my house. I know this is due to the converter emptying back into the pan so I thought, since I don't have my lift in yet, I would take it to a good friend of mine who is a wiz-bang transmission guy who owns his own shop and I trust him.

When I bought the car a year or so ago, I was told the trans had been rebuilt. Upon inspection, we noticed a new tail housing gasket so we know the trans has been opened up but
after dropping the pan, we found a good bid of shinny dots in the pan and on the filter. There were less than a teaspoon amount and non were shavings but all very fine and silver.

The trans shifts out smooth and quite with no signs of issue other than the specs in the pan and the leaking.

We changed the gasket and filter and buttoned it back up while I decide how to proceed.  After driving it back home and letting it set in the shop a couple days, it is now leaking worst than ever!

I called my guy and he checked the fluid amount we had originally and found it to be about 3/4 of  a quart less than what it should have been. He said this was probably due to my checking the level with the engine warm and the trans in park. Mopars must be checked with the trans in neutral (it says so on the dipstick) but I have a Locar replacement and did not
know this about Mopars. He said it's going to keep leaking so he recommends we rebuild it.

Sorry, for the long drawn out story but would you advice driving it until I realize issues or go ahead and rebuild the tranny?

All advice is appreciated,
Mickm

[ChallengerHK]

One thing: you need to check the level with the trans in neutral. The pump isn't pumping in park.

[bandt]

If the trans shifts, and works well I wouldn't rebuild it.
Find the source of the leak. It will always look like it's coming from the pan . Any leaks on top of the trans from the oil dipstick tube, neutral safety switch, to the shift shaft seal eventually will settle along the cast pan rail and roll down the pan. The shaft seal is notorious for leaking, I would start there. Lots of threads on how to go about that. Use brake cleaner to clean the case well and start checking for clean fluid, may be easier to trace the source.


Brian

[Mickm]

Thanks for the insight my friends.

One question, you would not be concerned about the shavings in the pan, my buddy thought is was a lot? I have read where up to a teaspoon is nothing to worry about. I feel sure it was not a teaspoon full.

Thanks,
Mickm

[734406pk]

Check the transmission cooling line connections for leakage as well. The tube nuts are easily cross-threaded on installation. Do you have the stock steel pan or aftermarket aluminum type? The small amout of metal in the pan sounds normal for a rebuilt transmission "wearing in" and should decrease after some miles and can be checked again later. I would recommend finding and fixing the leak first. Good luck!

[6packCuda]

The shiny specs are nothing to worry about and if the trans is working good, rebuilding t again would be a waste of time and money. As others have already said, find exactly where the leak is coming from. If it is the pan, try using one of the Mopar performance re-usable pan gaskets. They're pricey but they don't leak.

[Chryco Psycho]

it could be the dipstick tube O ring or the front pump seal too

[Mickm]

Thanks to all of you for the insight, it is truely appreciated.
I have not been able to get under it to see exactly where the leaks are coming from.

I called the guy who I bought the car from and he assured me again the trans was completely rebuilt with everything from the pump to the sprag gear to a
new converter. He also gladly gave me the name and number of the guy who rebuilt the trans saying he is a mopar transmission guru. I plan to call him Tuesday just to find out what he says about it.

I'll let you know what I find just in case someone else encounters this issue.

Thanks guys,

Mickm

[1 Wild R/T]

Lokar dipstick has double O rings so hopefully it won't leak, Shift shaft seal, kick down lever seal, reverse band anchor pin, speedometer adapter & speedometer gear seal are all comment external leaks & most get diagnosed as a leaking pan gasket since they are all higher than the pan & the fluid runs down to the pan then follows the gasket causing the whole edge of the gasket to be wet... Careful inspection will find the original problem... But now you also have a leaking pan gasket...  No reason to rebuild the trans... Just an external reseal....

[msbaugh]

Forget the cork trans gaskets... There are reusable hard Rubber pan gaskets available that I've never had a leak with.  I forgot where I got it from but I'll attach a picture. Use it and make sure your pan edges are perfectly straight. With this gasket your pan bolts might be slightly too short, but probably will be good. 

Hand tight plus a 1/4 turn on your bolts is all that's needed! More leaks are caused by over tightening and squishing the gasket! Also.... NO SILICOLN! Install it dry and it will never leak on you.

There are 3 things you never need with a transmission, a hammer (except for driving in seals), dirt, and SILICOLN!

If you replace the shift shaft seal put a lot of Vaseline around the inside to hold the spring before you drive it home 

[msbaugh]

http://www.jegs.com/i/Mopar+Performance/312/02464324AC/10002/-1?CAWELAID=230006180000979430&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=230006180000848667&cadevice=m&gclid=CO7s4vOZ48cCFYsDaQodpjsEkg

[Mickm]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I am going to try and find an answer this week and I'll let you know how it comes out.
Thanks again,

Cheers!
Mickm

[734406pk]

I hope you find the leak!

[Mickm]

Hi Guys,
I finally got to take the 'Cuda back to the tranny shop which is about 45 mins away.
Once on the lift we found the only leak to be coming from the speedometer coupling. He said the figures the guy who rebuilt the trans did not replace the hub bearing and that is where the shavings came from. He also said, now that there is more fluid than before since I was checking it in park instead of  neutral and that the cup seal in the speedo would not seal it.

He put an o-ring in but said it probably would not stop the leak either and suggested rebuilding and replacing everything at a price of $1000.

So, since the trans shifts perfectly  and there is no noise or anything other than the leaking speedo cable, I plan on driving it?  Do any of you have a sure fire remedy to stop the speedo from leaking?  FYI, I am going to replace the gauges with a set of Speed Hut gauges this winter and we be going to a gps speedo so I will seal it off permanently then.

Until then, I'd like to drive it without leaving a large puddle of trans fluid everywhere I stop.

Advice?

Cheers!
Mickm

[734406pk]

Since you're changing the speedometer to a GPS type, you can plug off the housing. Try aandatrans.com (317-831-3066)part number AASBBA. This is a machine aluminum plug with a clamp and bolt made just for this purpose. $25 fix. Good luck!