TCI A904 transmission issue

[DWilbur]

I bought this A904 trans mission through Summit Racing back in November. Meanwhile I was building my stroker engine 318 to 390. About 3 weeks ago I finally was able to fire up my engine 2 minutes and 34 second in to the run trans fluid was pouring out of the bell housing. so we shut it down raised the car up 1973 Plymouth Satellite Seabring Plus. Ended up pulling the trans mission after removing the torque converter we noticed that the front was galled up. I called TCI and they asked several question over email and do to the warranty being 90 day they said there is not much they can due. the other thing that came up was the horse power would toast the trans mission. I said the add when I bought it said it would handle 575 HP. TCI said it will only handle 350 HP. TCI ask where I saw the add I said Summit. He said call Summit and see what they would do. 3 days went by do to work and when I called Summit they said there add does not recommend HP rating. while on the phone with Summit I check the add and it was changed. So no Warranty. Saturday we removed the front seal to install a new one and the front bearing was wasted. Now I have a $1,250 paper weight.

So my question is I would like to Xna the A904 and install a 727 trans. What would be a good place to get one I have call some local trans shops and they don't have much of a clue as to how to build an 727 to handle 450HP small block Mopar. I need to get my car running ASAP as I need to fix my 98 Ram has radiator and valve cover leaks. I will post pictures Tuesday so you can see what the issues are.

 

[mentor70]

i would just fix the 904, the damage "sounds" pretty minor....get your car going, blow it up, then get a 727.

A&A transmission or Level 10 has all the good stuff for either trans.

these trannys are pretty simple to build....play with it!

 

[DWilbur]

some pictures of the A904 after less than 3 minutes of engine run time. no drive time.

- - - Updated - - -

A few more pictures.

 

[Longroof]

Pull front pump. Replace front pump bushing. Get new chromolly snout welded on converter. The 904 in basically stock configuration will do fine up to about 450 hp ish

I ran a 904 I rebuilt myself in my bracket car with the only real modifications a manual valve body and 3.8 kick down lever... car with that trans went 10.70's With a nice little 360 at around 3200 lbs.
The 904 is about .15 Quicker in the 1/4 mile than a 727.

 

[DWilbur]

Pull front pump. Replace front pump bushing. Get new chromolly snout welded on converter. The 904 in basically stock configuration will do fine up to about 450 hp ish

I ran a 904 I rebuilt myself in my bracket car with the only real modifications a manual valve body and 3.8 kick down lever... car with that trans went 10.70's With a nice little 360 at around 3200 lbs.
The 904 is about .15 Quicker in the 1/4 mile than a 727.

Hello Lingroof
Thanks for the info. I called TCI yesterday and they said to return the 904 and they will check it out I might get some money back. I did buy a 727 trans and should have it Friday or Monday. will the trans mount from my 904 work on the 727.

 

[dvw]

Once the trans has been removed replacing the pump bushing is less than a 30 minute job. I prefer babbitt bushings. We just killed one in my sons turbo car. It had a babbitt bushing, no converter damage. to bad you don't live in Michigan I'd handle it for you. Maybe another member that lives close? It's really not a big deal.
Doug

 

[DWilbur]

Hello Doug
Thanks. I don't know why I have so many issue with automatic transmission. years ago I did an engine swap from SB to BB and the trany would not work. took it in had it rebuilt 700R4 and blew it up 2 day later on trip up to the mountains. Had turbo 400 installed by guy their and the turbo 400 had issue just before I got home it was an easy fix vacuum line melted. after that I rebuilt an SM465 my self installed it and it worked for sever years. I seam to have better luck with manual transmissions. I have 727 on the way. is the trans mount on a A904 the same as 727. I would like to have any parts I need for the change ready to go for next week end.

 

[dvw]

Mount is the same. Drive shaft isn't even close, about 4" shorter, different front yoke. Flex plate may or may not fit depending on converter. Lines may need a little tweak.
Doug

 

[DWilbur]

That is god news about the mount. I was a were of the drive shaft requiring change. I will have to wait to see about the flex plate. Thanks for the help.

 

[Yournewtreasureawaits]

904's are the best kept secret...I have had them in fast cars and not so fast cars. The one in my F/SA Demon never lets me down. High 10 second passes at 3300 lbs all day long

John Gray

 

[DWilbur]

904's are the best kept secret...I have had them in fast cars and not so fast cars. The one in my F/SA Demon never lets me down. High 10 second passes at 3300 lbs all day long

John Gray

Thanks for the reply. Do you do anything special to build the 904 to handle the power. I still have the oridinal 904 out of my car it slips in revers until it warms up.

 

[DWilbur]

Just got my 727 today and dropped it off at my nephews shop hopefully we will get it installed this week end. I'm going to order new drive shaft Thursday so we can finish up my car. I have not be able to drive it for the last 3 months and with a new engine it even more frustrating.

 

[DWilbur]

We installed new 727 trans it was easer than I thought it would be even the starter just fit with the headers. picked up new drive shaft after have it made once and cut down it fits. should be able to start it up Thursday night hopefully no leaks. got my finger crossed.

 

[DWilbur]

My nephew and I spent about 5 hour installing 727 trans from TCI fallowed the instructions that came with the trans. fired up the engine and ran it for 20 minutes to break in per Hughes engines. then spent 5 minutes adjusting the timing and carb to get things close after 25 minutes of run time the trans started leaking oil from the front. shut it down and put it on the lift to check it out. lower it down went to start it and it would not start figured out only getting 6 volt to the dizzy MSD need 12 volts. so we pushed it to a parking stall and called it a night. I stopped by my nephews shop Tuesday after work to see if he found anything out. so we where going to push it closer to the door so we can charge the battery and I figured I would try to start it and what you know it started right up let it warm up couple minutes and decided to drive over to the door and oil started pouring out of the front again. not sure exactly what is going on this is the 2nd trans from TCI that is leaking oil from the front. The engine was balance with the flex plate when it was built. does anybody have any idea why it would leak oil from the front seal. The only time I drove the car was to move yester day.