Torqueflite Trans Questions

[Rebel Machine]

Hello all!

Okay, I'm new here. Upfront I'd like to admit my reason for being here is tech info, specifically Torqueflite transmissions. I've read many transmission posts already on this forum and there appears to be a lot of experience here. I'd also like to admit I'm really an AMCer. AMC started using Torqueflites starting in '72 so we really like them for their ability to take some serious abuse. Really want to learn how these gizmos work.

I've got two 727s and a 998. Here are the questions:
The first 727 is one I did my first rebuild on. It's a stock rebuild, no modifications. When manually shifting everything works fine but if I leave it in drive it'll start in 1st gear then when it goes to shift into 2nd it freewheels (no 2nd gear at all, RPMs go up) and third comes on. Keep in mind when manually shifting all the gears are there. What did I do wrong?

The second 727 was built by Coan Racing. It has a different behavior. In drive it works fine but when manually shifting 1-2 it's like something is binding. Second gear engages, I can feel it but it also seems like the brakes get applied for a moment after the shift. Many phonecalls & e-mails to them haven't helped me find the problem. Is the rear band not letting go fast enough?

The 998 I got from a '73 Hornet with a 304. I'm wanting to use it behind a 440 HP 470 Ft-Lb AMC 401 engine. I've seen some scary pics of roller clutches letting go and drive drums shattering.  How should it be built so it will stay together?

Thanks in advance,
-Steve-

[Moparal]

Welcome to the sight steve.   I am hoping all your questions get answered very soon. I have my suspicions, but there are a couple of pros I believe will give you better answers at any time.....

[426HEMI]

I've got two 727s and a 998. Here are the questions:
The first 727 is one I did my first rebuild on. It's a stock rebuild, no modifications. When manually shifting everything works fine but if I leave it in drive it'll start in 1st gear then when it goes to shift into 2nd it freewheels (no 2nd gear at all, RPMs go up) and third comes on. Keep in mind when manually shifting all the gears are there. What did I do wrong?


When shifting manually it shifts differently.  Did you adjust the big band at the front of the transmission?  It may not be either working or adjusted properly.  Pm me if you have any more questions.  Gordon

[tactransman]

I've got two 727s and a 998. Here are the questions:
The first 727 is one I did my first rebuild on. It's a stock rebuild, no modifications. When manually shifting everything works fine but if I leave it in drive it'll start in 1st gear then when it goes to shift into 2nd it freewheels (no 2nd gear at all, RPMs go up) and third comes on. Keep in mind when manually shifting all the gears are there. What did I do wrong?Air check the front servo and check the accumulator piston for cracked sealing rings. If they are OK,you might want to try a different VB

The second 727 was built by Coan Racing. It has a different behavior. In drive it works fine but when manually shifting 1-2 it's like something is binding. Second gear engages, I can feel it but it also seems like the brakes get applied for a moment after the shift. Many phonecalls & e-mails to them haven't helped me find the problem. Is the rear band not letting go fast enough? Yes, sounds like the rear servo is not shimmed solid

The 998 I got from a '73 Hornet with a 304. I'm wanting to use it behind a 440 HP 470 Ft-Lb AMC 401 engine. I've seen some scary pics of roller clutches letting go and drive drums shattering.  How should it be built so it will stay together?  I would use a 727,  a 998 can be built to handle it ,but the 727 will take it in stock form. Low band apply is the best way to save your rear sprag.(manual VB or Auto VB)

[Chryco Psycho]

Glad you could Join us Rebel , I have a soft spot for the AMC cars , my first car was a Javelin SST , I am sure the Automatic experts here can help with the TF problems

[Rebel Machine]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I was expecting some flaming being an AMCer. Guess we're all under the Diamler-Benz tent these days.

Chryco Psyco: My first car was a '75 Dodge Tradesman 200 cargo van. We used lawn chairs in the back but that didn't work out too well. They'd slide pretty good on that steel floor. We  busted a lot of them! In the early '80s an old girlfriend's parents were replacing their livingroom carpet. I took the old stuff home and used contact cement to glue it to the van's inside. Sure quieted things down. No, it wasn't shag 

Tactransman: I've read a lot of your posts. Clearly you have a great understanding of these things. Was hoping to build a 998 and feed the wheels a few more ponies than the 727 lets through.

Thanks for the tips!
-Steve-

[tactransman]

Tactransman: I've read a lot of your posts. Clearly you have a great understanding of these things. Was hoping to build a 998 and feed the wheels a few more ponies than the 727 lets through.

It's not worth it unless you are racing a race car in a tight qualify field where the cars are just a few tenths apart (say like a Quick 16 Class) and need every tenth of a second lower in E.T. to put into qualifying or farther up the ladder. For a street machine the durability and extra cost is really not worth it.

[Chryco Psycho]

That sounds hilarious sitting in lawn chairs in the back of the van

[Rebel Machine]

Think I may have found the problem with 727 #2, the one that skips second in driver. Took the valvebody out and compared it to the '73 tech service manual. One checkball is in the wrong place and the large one that has a spring behind it is missing. I remember putting it together exactly as it came apart. Seems I repeated someone else's mistake.

-Steve-

[tactransman]

(pic) This (yellow dot) is the only place a ball can be left out.(for a firmer 1-2 shift)

If it takes a ball on a spring,there has to be a hole in the plate for the ball to sit in,no hole-no ball & spring.

[Rebel Machine]

Thanks for the pic. Turns out there are 6 small checkballs, one looks like an extra (the one with the 3 "?" next to it). The spring loaded check ball is what's missing.



-Steve-

[tactransman]

If that is a picture of your actual VB,then with six 1/4 inch balls it is a later model VB and should not have a ball and spring or a hole in the separator plate for it.  Does it have the big hole in the plate for the ball?

[Rebel Machine]

There is no hole where that large spring-loaded ball would be located. I didn't even notice that. The number etched through the separator plate is 90.

Earlier today I air checked all the servos and clutches. They seem good, which makes sense since all the gears are there when manually shifting.

-Steve-

[tactransman]

Here is some info on all check ball locations. Yours is a '77 and up model since you have the 6 1/4 inch check balls.

[Rebel Machine]

Just received my Torqueflite A-727 book in the mail today. Just browsing through it there's a pic of a lockup valvebody with checkball location pic. It looks like the one in my pic above. My trans is not a lockup trans. Maybe I've got a lockup valvebody in a non-lockup transmission?

-Steve-