Need Help Please

[RDF]

Ok,
I've posted several topics in several areas concerning a automatic to manual conversion for my 73 'Cuda.  I've gotten some good responses and thanks to all, but now my time is shorter than expected.  While driving my car today, I noticed the transmission slipping from 2nd to 3rd, really bad, at slow speeds  .  So I checked the trani fluid and it was down about 1/2 quart.  I put it in and it still does it.  So now is the time to say either put another 727 auto in it, or bite the bullet and put a 4-speed in it.  I was hoping for a keisler 5-speed  , but I simply don't have the $$ right now for that.

Could anyone tell me how much $$ I would be lookig at, roughly, to do the auto to manual conversion ?  If I do this, it will not be alone, but it will prob. be the biggest job I've ever done, so I'm a little nervous about getting in over my head .

Thanks,

RDF

[Pistol Gripper]

Check on eBay and see if mopar3401 still sells conversion kits.  I got one from him and it was first rate ! 

Add a new pressure plate, clutch disk & bearings ( throwout & pilot ) and you're good to go.  I'd thinkk $2,500 or so.

P.G.

[tactransman]

Sounds like the throttle pressure (kickdown) needs to be increased.

[RDF]

Sounds like the throttle pressure (kickdown) needs to be increased.

Well it's not shifting 'early', it's just slipping when it shifts.  Would the throttle pressure cause that?

[tactransman]

I would increase it till it shifts late and see if it still slips. If it does then it is probably done. it should delay a little into rev if the third gear clutches are worn. ( they apply in rev too)

[RDF]

I would increase it till it shifts late and see if it still slips. If it does then it is probably done. it should delay a little into rev if the third gear clutches are worn. ( they apply in rev too)

Ok, not being a trani-man, is this something I can do or would I hav eto take it to a trani-shop to get done?  I can turn a wrench and am not affraid to get dirty , but I've never messed around with transmissions before.

[tactransman]

You just need to make your kick down rod longer. You can do it yourself, if you can post me some pics of  your kick down linkage set up , I can help you out.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You just need to make your kick down rod longer. You can do it yourself, if you can post me some pics of  your kick down linkage set up , I can help you out.

   

It wasn't until Chryco worked his magic on my kickdown linkage at Carlisle this year, that I understood what was happening. It's amazing what a 1/4 inch change in length can do to your shifting.    I have a feeling the problem here might be a bad tranny though. 


  Mike

[Chryco Psycho]

$2500 is a good ball park price to do the conversion
 I will try to help if needed

[Pistol Gripper]

Just checked,

MOPAR3401 has a setup on eBay for just under $2K

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOPAR-CUDA-CHALLENGER-PISTOL-GRIP-4-SPEED-CONVERSION_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33733QQihZ014QQitemZ330044705965QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Ad says he has a small block setup too.

P.G.

[RDF]

You just need to make your kick down rod longer. You can do it yourself, if you can post me some pics of  your kick down linkage set up , I can help you out.

Well I finally got around to adjusting the cable and it only made it worse.  It seems that 2nd is completly gone from the trani.  I took it to a loca trani shop and they confirmed it  .  They tried to adjust the cable as well and got the same results I got; nothing seemed to make it better, UGH  .

So I can do 1 of 2 things:
I was planning to take the motor out and resealing everything (except the heads and other seals that look ok). It needs a new oil pan, rear main seals and I figured I would do the valve covers and intake while I had it out.  The trani shop that I took it to said it would be about $900 to rebuild it (they said it was a 727) and if I brought the gaskets, they would do the rear main for free seeing as how the trani would be out already.  That would be ok, but it still wouldn't address my minor oil leak (enough to make a small mess in my garage every night) so I would have to do some work to get the oil pan done.  OR  I could spend the 2k and get the auto to manual conversion kit and take the motor out myself and do everything myself. 

Any reason not to besides $$  ?

By the way, I only have jack stands in my garage, but I MAY have access to a lift down the street from me (a buddy has got one in his garage at his house, NICE!).

[tactransman]

$900 sounds pretty steep for that car. It would run $550 to $600 for a complete rebuild & R&R here.(12,000 mile warranty)

 I wonder if they realize the oil pan has to be dropped and all to change the rear main seal. I wouldn't do it for free here.
(maybe that's why it's $900  )

[RDF]

$900 sounds pretty steep for that car. It would run $550 to $600 for a complete rebuild & R&R here.(12,000 mile warranty)

 I wonder if they realize the oil pan has to be dropped and all to change the rear main seal. I wouldn't do it for free here.
(maybe that's why it's $900  )

Well he quoted me $900 before I told him about pulling the motor and doing the rms.  I think you're right, he may change his mind if he started the work on my trani and realized it was more than what he intended, then I would still be in the same situation.

Thanks for the info on the price, my brother said he got one rebuilt a couple of years ago with a shift-kit for about $600, but I didn't know if prices increased over the years that much.  I'll definately do some more shopping around before I decide.

[tactransman]

Prices have gone up in the last 2 years but not that much.
 Shop around.

[RDF]

Prices have gone up in the last 2 years but not that much.
 Shop around.

Well I did just that and found a friend who has a rebuilt 727 from a 73 cuda, 340.  He wants $500 for it, but I think I can ge tit for $400.  I've never taken one out before, but I can't see it taking more than 4-5 hours for someone who hasn't done it before .

I'll keep looking though for more deals  .