Early Dodge/Cummins Torque converters ???

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm interested in using synthetic fluid in my early 727, but local transmission guy sez that flushing out an older high mileage automatic MIGHT stir up miscellaneous junk and wear particles, creating problems in the valve body and other sensitive areas. He sez that the synthetics in cases like the above can also lead to leaks in seals and gaskets - I know a bit about THAT from previous experiences with synthetic motor oils.

ANYWAY, he sez the BEST way, other than starting with a new or rebuilt transmission, is to drain as with a normal transmission service, and then loosen the valve body to get most of the remaining oil out, and then IF the TC has a DRAIN PLUG, drain the remaining oil from it. Supposedly less likely to stir up sediment and such.

Question IS, do the TC's in the older 3-speed trannies HAVE a drain plug? If I can't drain essentially ALL the regular fluid out, I'm not inclined to only do a partial job, especially if I still have to possibly deal with random fluid leaks and seepage...

I know it's possible to remove the inspection plate on the bottom plate of the TC housing, but I'm hoping someone here already KNOWS the answer?

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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

 

[danandamy]

I don't really have any answers to your questions but I was just curious. How many miles do you have on the old 727? Also, am I correct in these early models don't have a lock up clutch? I know of several guys running your set up. One of them even pulls small road graders on a trailer with it and he got a little over 200k out of the transmission before a rebuild and even then it wasn't because the transmission grenaded like the O/D ones seem to, it was just getting a little tired. It seems like when Bill K. was in Dallas he said something along the lines of the lock up clutch was the culprit. I'm wondering if when transmission time comes around for me, maybe the answer instead of a bunch of mods to the 47rh, maybe I should find an old three speed and fork out the bucks for a gear vendors or comparable aftermarket O/D unit to bolt on the back of it and rock on. Opinions?

Daniel

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Wife's truck:
95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54 automatic JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N chunked, AFC adjusted, "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed

My truck:
95 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 automatic, Geno's dual EGT/Boost gauge, Dodge cat test pipe (I'm still testing hehe), Geno's muffler eliminator pipe, AFC star wheel adjusted for smoke show, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC Housing slid all the way forward... let the fun begin!

"Only thing better than having a Cummins is having TWO Cummins"

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Daniel, my 727 transmission has 108,000 miles on it, still shifts perfectly - and you are correct that it is just a straight 3-speed, with no built-in OD or lockup converter. From all comments *I* have seen, 200,000 is pretty much the upper limit for these older workhorses, and Bill K. seems pretty certain that there are NO new replacements available, so it's a good idea to take good care of what you have, and make repairs or O'haul BEFORE serious peripheral damage occurs.

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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Gary,

Listen to your transmission guy, he is giving you sound advice about not flushing out your transmission oil.

727 transmission,
is a good transmission, keep in mind your rear end gear ratio is 308,i have talked to a few guys that have upgraded from the 727 to a 518, pretty much in a nutshell, the od gear is useless unless they are over 70-75 mph.

There is no drain plug in the 727's that i am aware of unless someone has modified them. It has been a while since i have done one of those, with the exception of the drag racings ones i do.

Bill

 

[jsimpson]

Bill, I have a 518 in place of my 727 and still have the 3. 08 gear. The 518 makes a world of difference. I can now comfortably cruise anywhere from 55 to 75. I control the OD with a Gear Vendors OD switch and computer. It will automatically engage OD at just over fifty, but I usually manually engage it at about 45. It automatically disengages at about 5. I would prefer about 30!!! My biggest complaint is the loose coupling of the torque convertor. A tighter convertor might cuase me to abandon my plans to add lockup to my 518!

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N, cleaned-up exhaust with Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt injector pump, thermostatically controlled twin 14" Permacool electric fans, intercooler, modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, Reese Titan 2. 5" receiver, R-134 refrigernt, louvered front fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothie grille, new Dupont Chromacolor black, black-and-red rubber rubstrip, black headlights, powdercoated bumpers; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. To see my truck, Click on: <A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169022&a=10097213

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Jesus</A> saves!

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Jsimpson,
What are your rpms in od at 50mph, 60mph, & 70mph.

As far as having a tight converter for the 518 or the 727, we've got that covered.

Our 518 converters have our steel stator so the fluid coupling and torque multiplication is well looked after.

We do recommend that the person have a 16cm housing or smaller to use either one of these converters.

I wouldnt be in such a rush if i were you to get a lockup converter.

Take a look at the kind of mileage the 1st genertion trucks are getting compared to the 2nd generation with the loc up system.

I have yet to talk to a 1st generation guy that has gotten less than 100000 miles .

Our 1st generation tcs have a 5 yr. warranty.
no mileage limit.

Bill Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology

[This message has been edited by Bill Kondolay (edited 05-01-2001). ]

 

[Bill Kondolay]

jsimpson
You can use a normaly open pressure switch in the governor pressure port to auto dissengage o/d, if you dodn't mind useing a chey part on your dodge.
Gm part# 8637296 which will dissengage at 40 mph.

 

[jsimpson]

I don't have a tach, but the engine rpm at 55 overdrive off, sounds like the engine rpm at 70 overdrive on!

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N, cleaned-up exhaust with Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt injector pump, thermostatically controlled twin 14" Permacool electric fans, intercooler, modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, Reese Titan 2. 5" receiver, R-134 refrigernt, louvered front fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothie grille, new Dupont Chromacolor black, black-and-red rubber rubstrip, black headlights, powdercoated bumpers; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. To see my truck, Click on: <A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169022&a=10097213

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[jsimpson]

Bill, you recommend AT LEAST a 16cm turbo housing. What is your ideal recommendation?

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N, cleaned-up exhaust with Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt injector pump, thermostatically controlled twin 14" Permacool electric fans, intercooler, modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, Reese Titan 2. 5" receiver, R-134 refrigernt, louvered front fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothie grille, new Dupont Chromacolor black, black-and-red rubber rubstrip, black headlights, powdercoated bumpers; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. To see my truck, Click on: <A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169022&a=10097213

Jesus" TARGET=_blank>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169022&a=10097213

Jesus</A> saves!