• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Time for a new tranny?

skymynx

Well-Known Member
Local time
6:18 PM
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
217
Reaction score
4
Location
Eastern CT
So I finally got the little 318 motor to roar to life a few weeks ago. The compression seems to be within 15 of all the cylinders so I think the motor will be good for a little while. The only problem now is when I go to put the car in gear it stalls (its an automatic). This doesn't make any sense to me. I don't think anything is locked up as the car does roll when in neutral. When I shut the motor off I also get a weird spinning sound from the back of the motor where the tranny meets it. Would it make sense that the torque converter is shot?

If it is I'm ok with getting a new one. I plan on pulling the 318 this next winter (as it will finally be garaged) and turning it into a nice little 390 stroker. I'd like to put out about 400-450 horse when I'm all said and done. With that in mind what type of torque converter and transmission would you recommend. I'm thinking right now a nice TCI setup would be sweet to have.
 
Thats what I'm convinced. It was the only reason I could think of why an automatic would stall when a load is put on it.
 
Yeah....it's me again. Chances are if your converter is shot you'll have filings in the fluid, trans, and in the lines and cooler. Check it closely, flush the lines (transmission shops have stuff for that) and I'd think about installing an inline filter as well
 
We have tools to flush the lines at the house. My question is, if I have a 904 can I switch to a 727 or visa versa? Are the trannys different lengths, therefore requiring different driveshafts?
 
We have tools to flush the lines at the house. My question is, if I have a 904 can I switch to a 727 or visa versa? Are the trannys different lengths, therefore requiring different driveshafts?

You can switch to a 727 and yes, you will have to have some work done on your existing diveshaft or have a new one built. I would use your 904 and just have it gone through with a few beefier internals (especially if you were going the stroker route). 904s can be built to handle some pretty serious HP/TQ and don't require as much to drive as the 727 does. Also, if you are going with the stroker and plan to use it, I would forget the off the shelf convertors and have one built specifically for your setup through one of the custom convertor houses (ex. Dynamic, etc.). Of course, along with custom work comes a custom price tag. Be ready to spend $600-$700. Good luck.
 
In that case I guess I'll just get a TCI streetfighter 904.
 
Thanks. We were saving for the house which has ate so much money lately, but we are finally at a point where we can finally spend some money again.
 
I was looking at a TCI breakaway converter. Would a 2400-2600 be too much of a stall for a mostly stock motor (4 barrel, intake, headers) ? I think it would be fairly perfect once I throw in a mild cam.
 
In my OPINION , I'd just do whatever's necessary to get that 904 going again , and save your coins for a built A-727 .

While the 904 is a great trans , it WON'T hold-up behind a hot motor , especially a 390" stroker .
My recommendation is :

- '67 - '77 A-727-A trans ( earlier years have different torque converter splines , whereas later years had that delicious lockup converter ) ;
- Trans-Go reprogrammer kit ( I always recommend Trans-Go kits -- and have always used them exclusively -- because their kits are designed for each specific manufacture's trans , and NOT based-upon the Turbo-Hydro design ! ) ;
- H.D. clutches and kevlar bands ;
- Bolt-in "sprag" ( truly , overrunning clutch ) ;
- extra-capacity pan with a drain plug ;
- either Type-F or Lucas fluid .

While this is obviously your car , this is merely my advice ... ... for what it's worth .

I've heard only bad things about TCI's stuff ( "Total Crap Inside" , is the most common goof ) ; B&M -- like TCI -- bases their improver kits / reprogrammers on the T.H. 350 / 400 trans ; I'm not familiar with any other manufactures' kits .

Good luck and keep us updated :)
 
A 904 properly built will hold up behind a "good" motor, and will shift faster than a 727. The thing is, it will probably cost more than building a 727 (discounting the change in driveshaft you will HAVE to make)
 
We have used a TCI setup in a 700+hp 75 corvette. No problems at all with the setup, have been thrilled with the way it works, hence why we want to stick with TCI. I'm pulling the tranny and converter this next weekend. We will see where to go from there.
 
I think we have decided to go with a 904 streetfighter with a breakaway tci torque converter. Will be ordering in about a month. Was gonna order this week, but we finally got word from the bank that we got the house we wanted. So I rather wait until the car is in my new garage.
 
I think we have decided to go with a 904 streetfighter with a breakaway tci torque converter. Will be ordering in about a month. Was gonna order this week, but we finally got word from the bank that we got the house we wanted. So I rather wait until the car is in my new garage.

Congrats.:yes:
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top