Torque Converter Over-Torqued??

[moparmaniac59]

Well,
I just fried my transmission. I am thinking it's the torque converter. I know my motor is a bit too much for the tranny. The motor is just over 600 HP at the crank and 651 ft/lbs of torque. The tranny is slightly modified with a shift kit and it has a TCI 10" torque converter. About 3000 stall. An 8 3/4 rear end and 3:91 posi. I've only had the motor in the car a few weeks and have not really thrased it, but I have lit the tires up a time or two and on a hard acceleration; even rolling, it will spin the tires. I took it out today to check out a new fan I installed. It was acting funny like it was missing. It stalled at the light and didn't want to idle. It bucked a few times at the next light and I headed home (I thought I had an ignition issue). When I crossed the street near my neighborhood, it went into neutral. That was it. I had no forward gears or reverse. So having said all that, what does it sound like?? Just the torque converter, or the whole tranny or something else?? The driveshaft is fine. Thanks folks!! I guess no show tomorrow!! But I have to remember....it's just a hobby (sometimes an expensive one!). I think I'll go golfing!

                                                  Matt B.

[6packCuda]

Kinda sounds like converter issues to me. The horsepower shouldn't be a problem if you're running street tires. The tires will give long before the tranny does.

[tactransman]

It almost has to be the pump to quit moving in both directions all of a sudden. Check the fluid level first on the dipstick with it not running,then check it idling in neutral. Is the level lower idling in neutral? If it is the same it is the pump.

[moparmaniac59]

Thanks,
I'll check it out. 


                                          Matt B.

[71chally416]

So yet another indestructible 727 bites the dust?   

[tactransman]

Usually if the pump is bad,something got in the pump to mess it up (converter went bad maybe?)

[moparmaniac59]

Well,
There were several problems. The biggest (I guess) is it was 4 quarts Low! :22yikes:I know when I changed the neutral safety switch that I lost some fluid, but didn't figure it was more than a quart (and forgot to top it off). I just put the new motor in and didn't check it after the install which I know I should have. I know a little fluid was lost in the engine swap and hauling it back & forth to the body shop for engine bay paint job. I drove it maybe 200 miles since the engine swap and it acted fine. I don't have any idea how it got 4 quarts low?? The dipsitck tube was leaking, but I also fixed that. Maybe some sandblast grit got down into the dipstick tube during blasting and painting of the engine compartment? Anyway the level did change from cold to running , warm and in neutral, so I guess the pump is working? I did top off the fluid, but to no avail. It doesn't move in any gear. Is it air bound or just shot?? I guess the next step is to pull the tranny for a rebuild?? It was just redone about a year ago. Point the finger at me for letting the fluid get so low!! So what's the likely damage and what roughly would a repair cost?? I don't do trannies. Never tried. Too many moving parts!! Thanks for all the advice Terry!!

                                           Matt B.

[71chally416]

If you ran it that low on fluid with a 600hp motor it's probably burned up.

I'll never understand why so many people are afraid to rebuild Torqueflite trannies. There's a bunch of good books on the subject, all those "hundreds of parts" they talk about are inside the VB and not in the area you will be working on, and I'd rather put 3 trannies together than put together ONE car motor.   

[miketyler]

Interested in this as well. Mine slips when you first start it but after its run for a few minutes seems to grab ok.  I was quoted $300-$400 for soft parts on my automatic. That was with me pulling it and bringing it in and was some 5 years or so ago.

[miketyler]

Its been awhile for me but in my younger days, a transmission that low on fluid wouldn't pull. Running it low probably didnt help but I dont think it caused the melt down.

Could be wrong though. 

[6packCuda]

I'll never understand why so many people are afraid to rebuild Torqueflite trannies. There's a bunch of good books on the subject, all those "hundreds of parts" they talk about are inside the VB and not in the area you will be working on, and I'd rather put 3 trannies together than put together ONE car motor.   

  I just did my first one a while back and it wasn't bad at all. Just use a good 727 book for reference and you'll be fine. I even took the valve body all apart and cleaned it and that wasn't too bad either.

[tactransman]

If it is full of fluid and still will not move.it's done! You can drop the pan for an inspection.

[71chally416]

I just did my first one a while back and it wasn't bad at all. Just use a good 727 book for reference and you'll be fine. I even took the valve body all apart and cleaned it and that wasn't too bad either.

I use a '71 factory service manual 

[moparmaniac59]

I've got a book (HP Books) titled "Torqueflite A-727 Transmission Handbook, How to Rebuild or Modify Chrysler's A-727 Torqueflite For All Applications" written by Carl H. Munroe. Looks like a decent book. Anybody familiar with or ever used this book?? Looks Like the tranny is toast. maybe I'll try my hand at a rebuild.

                                                 Matt B.

[6packCuda]

That's an excellent book. That's what I used. And if you do have any questions along the way, there are very helpful and knowledgeable people here who helped me a lot. You can do it!