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Will my transmission survive?

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OK, I've got a '97 auto, 3. 54, 285/75, 4x4. Engine has a 230/605 plate pushed all the way forward, Scotty air and 4" exhaust. I want to know if my 47RE will survive pulling just my Jeep on a flatbed (I'm guessing about 5000 lbs. ). I already have an upgraded TC thanks to a PO. The reason I ask is, I called Bill K. yesterday to order one of his valve bodies, which should have been all the beef my transmission needs. He informed me that I can't run a higher-pressure VB in a pre-99 transmission due to lip seal problems. The lip seal fix basically involves almost a transmission rebuild, which I can't afford (in time or money) until summer, but I'll be towing my Jeep 1600 miles to Moab, UT in March. WILL I BE OK?

I guess it's worth asking, will the lower temps provided by a Mag-Hytec transmission pan keep my trans alive longer, or do the clutch pack woes still occur regardless of transmission temps?

Thanks!

Darel
 
How many miles are on your transmission? I installed the DTT VB on my 98 at 60K and I am using a 250 plate. I havent had any problems with the lip seal (yet). Take it easy, and it shouldnt be a problem. I think the VB makes the transmission last longer because there is less slippage in the clutch packs. The Mag Hytec will keep the temps cooler, but I dont think that will do much to extend the life of the lip seal. I see where Bill is coming from, and it is in your best interest to get the overhaul to the bigger lip seal. Personaly, I would install the VB and hope for the best. Worst case is the lip seal starts to fail, and you get the transmission overhauled a little sooner, but you still have the VB. So do you feel lucky?????
 
About 85K on the transmission. Which option leaves me the bigger risk of getting stranded in the middle of Utah, VB blowing out 3rd gear clutch pack, or no VB burning up 3rd gear clutch pack?
 
I'm getting about 278 HP to the wheels with mine, at 150k. It's the original transmission, with the line pressure turned up just a little. I use it, but I don't Abuse it. I tow & go, heading to Jacksonville, FL next week from KC, towing the boy's old 68 Chevelle on the trailer. I take pretty good care of the driveline, & use a lockup switch sencibly. Use your head & it'll be fine for quite a while, just remember, the transmission is now the weakest part of the equasion, & drive accordingly.
 
This is gonna be one of those 'it depends" questions. Many will go for a while at that level of power, depending on how you treat it. Mine lasted two weeks, and the OD broke.
 
Darel,

I have a '97 auto with same plate also slid forward and pulled my boat for about 3 years with it. The boat at the scales weighed in at 6400 lbs. Knock on wood no problems yet. The main thing is to not horse it and accelerate at a reasonable rate and back off a little when it goes into lock up. Then ease into accelerating again.

vc
 
After talking it over with DTT and my local guy, I think I might be OK increasing the stock line pressure and not being a retard on the gas. just in case, though, will any of these problems actually leave me stranded, or just really ****** off? If the overdrive blows, can I continue without it? Can I drive "around" 3rd gear if the clutch pack goes?
 
I think you will be just fine Darel. I pull a 20-foot goosneck cattle trailer from Ft. Worth to San Antonio and Houston with my auto, guessing the load is uaually around 8,000-9,000 lbs, depending on how many head. (This isn't 1600 miles though). I think your Rig will be just fine. I have a question about the line pressure. I looked on the DTT website, and it shows how to adjust it, but do you have to take the valve body out??? Or can you remove a plug and adjust it from the outside????
 
You don't have to remove it, just drop the pan, & the adjustment is on the driver's side if I remember correctly. You have to use an allen wrench with the short end cut off to about 1/4" Otherwise it's too long to fit up between the transmission casting & the adjustment screw.
 
I turned my pressure up a month or so ago. It helped on the 2-3 & 3-OD shift, also got rid of the TQ shudder. Didn't help the 1-2 shift though. While your in there make sure to adjust the bands. And there is a screw next to the pressure screw that will raise your low throttle shift points about 75 rpms per turn. You may want to give it a few turns too (clockwise I think).
 
how much do you increase the line pressure?how many turns do you go?from looking at bills pictures it looks like you do this without dropping the pan,is this correct?
 
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