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Your 'Guide' to the 727/904 transmission

racedodge

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Often I or anyone for that matter asks to find out what type of transmission they have in their old mopar. There are hundreds, if not a thousand, of threads on this website identifying, discussing or assisting with this process, troubleshooting or repair.

Because of this large number of threads and the fact that using the search option is unbeknownst to some members, I have put this together.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, HERE IS FRONTAL PICTURES OF THE /6, SB, AND BB TRANSMISSIONS:

typesofcases.jpg


HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR TRANSMISSION:

1. Do I have a 727 or a 904?

The picture of the 727 transmission is first, the second is a 904 transmission –


727.gif

904trans1a.jpg


Gasket pictures to see what you may have from a bottom view

727904gasket.jpg


2. Here are pictures of 4x4 transmission 727 on the left and 999 on the right

4x4727and999.jpg


3. Where do I look for the identification number’s on my transmission?

You will see a set of numbers starting with “PK” on the driver’s side of the transmission above the tranny pan but below the shifter levers, see below:

trans1.jpg


numbers.jpg


The passenger side carries with it (if its 69 model year only) the complete VIN of the vehicle, 1970 and above have the year, place of manufacturer, and serial number of the vehicle it was made for, see below:

vinpad.jpg


4. What are the differences between a A518/46RH, a 904/999/A500 and a 727?


Mopar_Automatic_A518_727_904.jpg


Mopar_trans.jpg


5. What do I have to do to put a OD transmission in my older vehicle?

Here is a start. There are many sites that cover this swap, but this one is pretty good to get you going.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm

6. Why is a 727 called a 727 and a 904 called a 904?

The 904 was originally called the Torqueflite 6 and the 727 was the Torqueflite 8. These designations were changed in '64 when the 904 was adapted for use in the new 273 V8 and was no longer a 6 cylinder only unit.

7. What is the difference between a truck and a car tailhousing?

TRUCK HOUSING:

TRUCKHOUSING.jpg


CAR HOUSING:

CARHOUSING.jpg


8. What is the difference, externally, between a 65 and below 727 and a 66 and up?

65 and below will have the parking brake mechanism located on the outside of the tailshaft housing (see right silver transmission), and the transmission mount is located in a difference place, and has wider bolt/stud mounting holes.

mopp_0807_04_ztransmissionfront_vie.jpg


Also, 65 and below were a pushbutton design:

pushbutton65andbelow.jpg


9. What are the differences between the shift levers, are there any?

Generally, a 727 shifter lever is straight and a 904 is offset (though some applications have different length of levers to compensate for vehicle model/engine combinations).
727 on top, 904 on bottom:

116_0111_swap_h_z.jpg


10. This will give you an idea to the different styles of throttle pressure (aka kickdown) levers:

TPlevers-1.jpg


11. Good reference on what each port does in the transmission case:

2242789259_1aee2007e1_o.jpg


12. BREAK DOWN OF A 727:

AT_TF727_case_retainer_serv.jpg

AT_TF727_converter_pump_clu.jpg

AT_TF9XX_valve_assembly.jpg


13. DIMENSIONS BETWEEN 727 AND 904:

2900072722_8345138989_o.jpg


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember, only smallblocks have 904 derivative transmissions, though some came with 727’s (i.e. certain truck and HP car models). Big Blocks only came with 727’s.
And here is a kicker to boot.. International Scout’s and other IH trucks used 727’s also.. so did AMC’s here is a pic of a AMC 727:

AMC727.jpg


Great resource book:

rebuildbook.jpg


http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Torqueflite-A-727-Transmission-Handbook/Carl-Munroe/e/9781557883995

WELL THAT ABOUT DOES IT.. HOPE YOU ALL GET A LITTLE INSIGHT FROM THIS.. I MAY ADD TO THIS AS I GO ALONG.
 
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I bought that book a while ago... A whole lot of great info in there for sure. I definately recommend it! My 727 is in need of a rebuild soon and I'm thinking about doing it myself for the expirience. I've never taken apart a trans by myself before so I'm a little hesitant. I'm just to young and naive to realize that it may be something I'm to inexperienced to tackle. With out a friend to help it may just be a bad idea... I've seen automatic trans being torn into and I must say it's a little intimidating. A lot of stuff goes on in those things!
 
Transmission problem

I am having a transmission issue that i hope someone can help me with. I am installing a 360 engine that actually came out of a 78 dodge truck in my Barracuda, which originally came with a 318. I am hooking it up to the original 904 transmission. However after research I realize i have to purchase a new torque converter due to balance issues. The problem lies in that the converter comes with 2 possible option of weights: butterfly and bars. A reputable transmission man said this would make a difference and cause vibration. He was not sure because he could not remember what a car in 1970 with a 360 came with. He said i would need to speak to someone with knowledge of how the 1970 cars with 360 engines came. Since it was from a truck with a standard 4 speed I am not sure.
 
I am having a transmission issue that i hope someone can help me with. I am installing a 360 engine that actually came out of a 78 dodge truck in my Barracuda, which originally came with a 318. I am hooking it up to the original 904 transmission. However after research I realize i have to purchase a new torque converter due to balance issues. The problem lies in that the converter comes with 2 possible option of weights: butterfly and bars. A reputable transmission man said this would make a difference and cause vibration. He was not sure because he could not remember what a car in 1970 with a 360 came with. He said i would need to speak to someone with knowledge of how the 1970 cars with 360 engines came. Since it was from a truck with a standard 4 speed I am not sure.

1970 did not have a 360 as they first started appearing in trucks in 1971 and slowly transitioned to cars and trucks in 72+. most 360's did not come with a 904 transmission as the 727 was the opted factory choice (not sure any 360's came with a 904 as a combo, but never say never with ma mopar).

mancini racing sells the kit, the instructions inside will tell you "where" you wil need to weld on the weights exactly.

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/torconweigba.html
 
transmission problems

Thanks for your reply and help.
 
Racedodge, thanks for a terrific post. What's the current state of knowledge on adding part-throttle downshift to pre-'66 904s? Pat Blais was working on this last time I talked to him (about five or six years ago). His idea was to use a '67 upper valve body with part-throttle downshift housing added, and the '60-'64 or '65 lower valve body. Does this work properly without causing short-shifting?
 
This is an excellent thread! I have that manual you said in your first post, I was glad to see its a manual worth having if needed... Its not hear right now and hoping it has some information on having the kick down cable correct.. Thanks again for this valuable info..
 
I need to get me this book. Thanks for this useful post. My 727 A measures
6 3/8 like you said and my engine is a F 383 born on 5 25 and it's a HP. Thanks everybody.
 
Roadbird, Anytime you have a job you need that manual for, let me know ill be more then happy to send it to you, keep it as long as needed.. be glad to do it.. Just seen this looking for some quick info or id have mentioned it earlier, gos for anyone here, Im looking in it now for some detailed information on adjusting the kick down cable.. I hope :)
 
Roadbird, Anytime you have a job you need that manual for, let me know ill be more then happy to send it to you, keep it as long as needed.. be glad to do it.. Just seen this looking for some quick info or id have mentioned it earlier, gos for anyone here, Im looking in it now for some detailed information on adjusting the kick down cable.. I hope :)
Alright send it to me if it's not to much trouble. But I'm going to have to wait until I move to my new house and I'll PM you my new address. Thanks so much Ron.
 
It might also be worth mentioning that Mopar made TF transmissions to fit OTHER engines like AMC, so if you run into a bell pattern that does not make sense, "that just might be." I believe that a buddy's late model CJ with a 4 whanger is also a TF, so that's another "oddball."


In addition to the really great info, there are some fairly good videos on Youtube:

19 vids in all. If you know how, (I use Firefox) you can download and save 'em

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzJhCBZ1wMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9O3lnHMuMA&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sIWBAQ_RGM&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQrTqSdSCbM&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD3mhqf9sZM&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcd7lNhbG-U&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv3_mHSY2lo&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrjSqr1usCc&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCG3yAz55VQ&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpuC0JPoGkw&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7xWAdoQOI0&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFe7WOD3cSU&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0fI7s0Ouz8&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXtcTIGfdY4&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHmiZZW8olk&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PEFo3H6fQY&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aci45eVwGJY&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z166OBLOVAQ&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOF6SOZ1lmM&feature=channel&list=UL
 
It might also be worth mentioning that Mopar made TF transmissions to fit OTHER engines like AMC, so if you run into a bell pattern that does not make sense, "that just might be." I believe that a buddy's late model CJ with a 4 whanger is also a TF, so that's another "oddball."


The second to last picture shows reference to this.
 
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