Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 47RE about to bite the dust!

[PKnight]

I've not posted for awhile since my 97 2500 with Cummins and 47RE has been doing great. Now, with 180,000 miles my transmission is about to bite the dust. I adjusted the bands today and found a small piece of cast iron in the pan. There was nothing else in the pan but the fluid smells and is dark colored. The front band was very loose. After adjusting it is shifting well but with that chunk of metal missing from somewhere and what must be band material coloring the oil I know I'm on borrowed time. Also there is absolutely no more adjustment left. The transmission has never been worked on before and until very recently was shifting very well. It started delaying the 1-2 shift unless the throttle pressure was very light.

I'm thinking of buying a rebuilt transmission from some supplier and changing it out my self. Any suggestions from anyone on who to go to and do I need to replace the torque converter? PK

 

[JLandry]

Hey PK,

I'm a big fan of Goerend built transmissions. I bought one and had it installed in my truck (see sig below) by a local shop. It's a HUGE improvement over stock in both shift feel and the amount of power delivered to the output shaft. I opted for a laminated flex plate, a low stall triple-disc torque convertor, billet input shaft, and high pressure valve body.

They aren't the cheapest, but you definitely won't be disappointed either. You get hat you pay for!

Regards,

John L.

 

[KEnglish]

John, What local shop did you use?

 

[JLandry]

John, What local shop did you use?

I used Village Transmission & Auto Clinic in Edmonds, WA. They'd done several Goerend transmission installations before mine and were familiar with Goerend's requirements. They did good work and know their stuff.



John L.

 

[PKnight]

John, thanks for the reply. Looks like I bought a little time with the band adjustments as it is shifting fine. Hopefully it will give me enough time to have everything lined up for the replacement. I looked up Goerend's website and it looks like they have some fine products. I'm hoping for something a little lower in price. I also contacted Blumenthal but did not hear back from them yet. I notice you are in Shoreline. A very nice part of the world. Looks like you have done a number of great upgrades on you 2001. My truck is strictly stock and has been an excellent truck. PK

 

[JLandry]

Hey PK,



By chance did you keep that small chunk of iron you found in the pan?



If so, possibly you could post a picture or two of it so we could try and identify it.



Regards,



John L.

 

[PKnight]

JL, I did save the chunk and I do have some pictures that I will try to get posted this evening. Thanks for the suggestion! PK

 

[DonFitzwater]

Spend the coin on the Goerend, you won't be disappointed. Too many other things out there you can skimp on... ... ... ... ... Just my . 02$.

Absolutley, positively put a new torque converter in. Yours is most likely worn out.

 

[PKnight]

47RE about to bite dust

Found this piece of cast iron in pan. It clearly broke off something. Has a machined recess like for a push rod or lever. Appears to be about 1/4th or 1/3rd or a round hole. Any ideas?

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http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff520/challenger70rt/th_DSCN0990.jpg?t=1321497032

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff520/challenger70rt/th_DSCN0989-1.jpg?t=1321497068

 

[cerberusiam]

Linky no worky.



Hover over the picture in photobucket then when the context menu appears click on the IMG Code content area and it will sau Copied. Paste that into your post and it will reference the picture correctly.

 

[PKnight]

Thanks for the suggestion. As you can see I'm still having trouble. Sorry! I don't seem to get the panel you speak of. PK

 

[PKnight]

OK,looks like I got one image large enough to view. Does that piece look familiar? PK


"chunk" of cast iron from 47RE pan picture by challenger70rt - Photobucket
"chunk" of cast iron from 47RE pan picture by challenger70rt - Photobucket
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff520/challenger70rt/th_DSCN0991-1.jpg?t=1321500008

 

[toms73novass]

I believe that that is the "tip" of the band adjuster (the part that the adjuster bolt pushes on). The adjuster probably split the tip and that is where you looseness came about.

circled on my pic
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[cerberusiam]

OK,looks like I got one image large enough to view. Does that piece look familiar? PK

Tip of one of the apply levers is what it looks like. Usually it is the front one. Unfortunately ttrans has to be pulled an partially dis-assembled to replace it.

 

[JLandry]

PK,

Tom is probably right about where that piece of metal came from.

I don't want to make you nervous, but your transmission is living on borrowed time. At some point pieces of the front band apply system will finish breaking and it'll lose the ability to shift from 1st to 2nd. If you don't have the funds for a complete transmission now, you can wait until then and replace just those parts that fail. With that many miles, it won't be long before other problems follow. I've seen this pattern before.

Good luck,

John L.

 

[PKnight]

Hi Guys, You nailed the broken part identification. I have a "spare" A-727 for my 70 Challenger and looked in it today to compare the broken part with the adjuster link. As you guys predicted the parts match. I was surprised that the 727 part is thicker and stronger looking than the 47RE part. The pictures show a comparison of the 727 part and the broken 47RE chunk. The circumference of the broken chunk exactly fits the adjusting screw bearing end. The transmission is working perfectly since I adjusted the bands but I know it will be short lived with the broken part. Since the rest of the transmission, although with 180,000 miles is working well I'm thinking of just putting a rebuild kit in it. Thoughts? PK

DSCN0139.jpg picture by challenger70rt - Photobucket
DSCN0138.jpg picture by challenger70rt - Photobucket
DSCN0142.jpg picture by challenger70rt - Photobucket

 

[PKnight]

Maybe I figured out what Cerberusiam was telling me about posting pictures. Thanks, PK

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