727 Trouble

[MrMopar440]

OK, Here is what I have:
I just re-installed my 727 after a home rebuild. I seem to have lost my high-gear.  Low engages smoothly and when I shift to second, it also engages smoothly. Nothing happens when I shift into high.  No noises or anything either. During the rebuild, I also dropped in a new converter. It isn't the linkage or the kickdown band adjustment. After some more testing with it on stands, I don't appear to have any "auto" function at all. I get manual first and second, but no drive. Drive seems to put it right into second. After looking though the FSM, I pulled the tailshaft to check the governer - moves freely. I did recheck the kickdown linkage before tearing into anything - no pressure on the arm at idle. BTW, do I need to have a return-tye spring hooked up? Never had one, but wondering if I should.

Dropped the pan, and didn't find great news in there, but I would like some opinions. Pictures are attached below. I believe the junk is left-over from my torque converter failure - what caused the rebuild in the first place. I am guessing that this is what was left in the cooler - I thought I had it all cleaned out but I guess not. I installed an in-line filter (PH-8A), but forgot to hook it up when I first started it. Subsequent tests and run-ups were done with it hooked up. Could my trouble have been caused by inadequte fluid flow? I am thinking that with this stuff in the pan, the in-line filter is probably plugged with crap as well. I will be opening the VB tonight to make sure I put all the check balls back in the right spot. Thoughts?

[ChallengerHK]

I'm not a trans expert by any stretch, but that certainly doesn't look good.

We do have a trans expert here, Terry, who I'm certain will show up shortly and give you some good advice.  In the meantime, welcome to the site.  This is a great place with some great people. 

[MrMopar440]

Thanks. I agree, doesn't look too great, but I am hoping that since it is a fresh rebuild that I might be OK

[tactransman]

That is alot of metal,only you know if you flushed the cooler out good enough for that to be too much. I bet your 2-3 shift valve is hung up in the VB,it is the #1 valve to stuck in the VB along with the TV valve.Did you take the VB apart? Does it look like the same metal that was in it the first time?

[ShelbyDogg]

Wow,
the bad thing is that the cooler is on the side after the filter. Metal shavings are probably in your new converter and throughout the inside of all of the passages going to the pistons, drums, and servos.  If you find metal shavings in the valve body passages after you split it, flush it all out and try it but it might save you time to pull the whole tranny, pull the pump and drums and clean everything out.  Pay attention to any particles in the rear sprag rollers and springs, it may save your legs. You're kind of stuck with a dirty converter if yours doesn't have a drain plug. I've heard of some drilling an 1/8 hole then using a self sealing pop rivet to seal the hole, but it would be a mess if it leaks.

   I've had to pull a trans, after a race Saturday, replace the rear sprag and clutches,then be ready to time trial Sunday Morning. So do it right, do it once.

Good Luck,
Rob

Rob

[MrMopar440]

Well, I found the problem with the shifting - Every single vlave was stuck tight in the VB. I am amazed that it even moved under it's own power! I think that the Auto Skills Center that I used must have had water contamination in the parts cleaner and after I flushed it out, it was kept wrapped (assembled) until installed.

Anyway, the valves are all out. The passages in the VB look ok (aluminum) but the vavles are a bit pitted. What is the best way to clean them up? I will be looking for an aftermarket VB in the future (any reccomendations?) but I need to get this driveable ASAP. I suppose that I could pull it out now and flush everything, but with the limited equipment that I have at home - I didn't ship everything over here - it is a min of a day each direction. Plus I have to wait forever to get things shipped over.

So I am going to roll the dice and button it back up with it still installed. Nothing appears to be binding and the rest of the tranny spins without noise, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the assistance and reccomendations

[ShelbyDogg]

To clean them up, I say good old tranny fluid and a little piece of scotch brite (a fine scrubbing pad).  Tranny fluid isn't just a lubricant, it's also a cleamer.  Since you think that you flushed the cooler, lets hope that the metal shavings aren't new from the binding valves.  Hopefully you didn't keep driving it long, hoping that it would fix itself.

Good Luck
Rob