Transmission help.

Hey all, just joined because I could use some help. The only mopar I own is a winnebago(my dream car is a late 60's charger with a 440 6pack. However, as I live in the real world that's gonna take some time. In the present my wife and I are losing our house and have decided to move into a winnebago for a year or 2 after I finish school. I am an unemployed auto tech but am switching to the IT field. I purchased a 1973 winnebago with a dodge RM400 chassis. It has a 440 it. We are having to practically gut it. It runs, but has so much rot and water damage that it is killing me. The brakes are shot, and I couldn't drive it home but it does run. The problem is I don't know if the transmission is any good or not and cannot put any more money in it until I prove to my wife that the drivetrain is good. I am trying to convince her that even if the transmission is bad I can get a used one for around 4 o 5 hundred. I looked on line but the recyclers only show vehicles up to 1980. The question is what transmissions will fit in it. I found a torqueflight from a reclamation center for 400. They say it came out of a 1980 dodge club cab 100. I know whatever I get will have to be a non lockup torque converter. I hust don't know enough about dodge as I am a ford tech. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank in advance , Sheldon. Thanks again.


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The 80 trans won't fit the winne. You need to get a big block trans. Mopar used 2 different sized cases between the big and small blocks. The 80 dodge would be a small block. Get yours rebuilt. The 727 is not to expensive to get rebuilt. Or rebuild it yourself, they are fairly easy to do.

hmmm...living out of a rotted winne for 2 years is gonna be rough.

rebuild what you got or join the army and move your wife into a nice apt while you learn a new trade and get your schooling paid for by uncle sam.

my opinion only..hope it helps

Good luck with you venture...

She wont be a rotted Winnebago when I am done. I don't see the person who posted about joining the military and letting them pay for school. To you I say, one more person on the government meals on wheels wagon is one more to many. I served with the 3rd ID when it was the still the 24th ID. I also served in the 5/12 ID in Korea, so I paid my dues. As for a free ticket to college, I am on a scholarship and am currently changing fields from Auto to IT, and graduate from school Dec 14 with honors and 2 degrees. I don't understand the fears I feel coming from these posts. It's just another adventure in life. We live in Ga, but love Tennessee. So we will live in motorhome until we find the right property, pay cash and then I will build a 1000 square foot home. and a shop for all my hobbies and Yes I can do that too, as I used to be a contractor. Without a sense of adventure and a willingness to get out there and try new things, nothing new will happen. Take a chance, you just might find the life you've been living isn't as good as the one you find. BTW, got the engine running, tuned up changed tranny fluid. Jacked up rear end and ran her in drive for 2 gallons worth of gas, she shifted to second but I did not want to chance going any higher. Does not prove she will push her, but it convinced the wife to take the next step. BTW what models would be viable donors for a big block transmission if this one does not work out?Thanks