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727 - '2' left over bolts? Are these for the transmission?

Started by 72Charger-SE, September 21, 2014, 05:50:23 PM

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70-500-SE-EXPORT

I have rebuild many torqueflites. You probably have the discs in the wrong drum. The front clutch discs are .095 and the rear ones are .068. The front and rear clutch snap rings are "selective" meaning they come in different sizes to allow you gain the proper front clutch clearance. You will want around .060 clearance on the front clutch and .040 on the rear clutch. There is also thicker steels to allow you to gain the correct clearance. The steels are the same .068 thickness on the front/rear clutch. 
When you replace the clutches the clearance MUST be checked and adjusted or you will have major issues. Buy 1 of each snap ring they are cheap.https://www.tsr-racing.com/chrysler-a727.html?cat=178&p=1
Check the clearance by installing all discs/steels and then the pressure plate. With a feeler gauge check the clearance between the pressure plate and snap ring. Install a thicker or thinner snap ring to get the desired clearance.

Also I think you have the rear clutch wavy snap ring in the wrong groove. You first install the cone shaped return spring, then install the wavy snap ring, it holds it in place. It can be difficult to get in the groove on the bottom. Then install a steel and then vary the .068 clutches and remaining steels. Then the thick pressure plate goes on and then the selective snap ring.
TSR racing is a great place for 727 parts and they have the best overhaul manual money can buy.
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

72Charger-SE

70-500-SE...   I attached a photo of the spring, spacer, and 'wavy snap ring'.  Is this portion of the installation correct?

I am certain I have something (one or more) done incorrectly... :)   It is just a matter of figuring out what I did wrong...  :)   Thanks to all for your advice and assistance.  

Thanks!

72Charger-SE

70-500-SE...

The next item I installed is the 'beveled side down' pressure plate...  this looks to be correct since the markings on the top of existing clutch spring line up perfectly with the 'beveled edge'.  I then install waffled disc/steel/waffled disc/steel/waffled disc/steel/waffled disc/top pressure plate.  And this is what I have left at the top...  no room to install any type of snap ring...   :brickwall:


70-500-SE-EXPORT

Looks like you have the assembly installed correctly. The Belville spring goes first, then the spacer ring, then the wavy snap ring followed by the beveled edge of the pressure plate down, then four clutch plates/steels, large flat pressure plate, then selective snap ring. I believe you must have the thicker .095 front clutches installed. This will cause the same problem you are having with the installed height and not allow the snap ring to fit. Also why is the snap ring on the top wavy?? It is supposed to be flat.
Let me know how you make out.
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

72Charger-SE

Quote from: 70-500-SE-EXPORT on September 22, 2014, 11:42:00 AM
Looks like you have the assembly installed correctly. The Belville spring goes first, then the spacer ring, then the wavy snap ring followed by the beveled edge of the pressure plate down, then four clutch plates/steels, large flat pressure plate, then selective snap ring. I believe you must have the thicker .095 front clutches installed. This will cause the same problem you are having with the installed height and not allow the snap ring to fit. Also why is the snap ring on the top wavy?? It is supposed to be flat.
Let me know how you make out.


I will swap the clutch discs tonight and get rear clutch completed. I am not sure why that ring is 'wavy'.  Perhaps it is a little twisted in places?  The 'wavy' ring installed above the piston spring is very defined in the waviness.

70-500-SE-EXPORT

Ok let me know how you make out. I would get a new snap ring yours is toast. They are cheap.  It cannot not be wavy or bent. It must be perfectly flat in order to check the clearance.. This clearance is very important. Too tight and your car will move in neutral and too loose your car wont move.
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

John_Kunkel

Two possible problems, either the wrong thickness clutch discs or steel plates...front clutch discs are .095" and rears are .061", steel plates are .068" or oversized .088".

There are also two different thickness pressure plates (see pic below) and the likely problem is the thick pressure plate (lower one in pic) is being used since the OP states he's using random parts. The thick pressure plate is pre-'65.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

72Charger-SE

Quote from: John_Kunkel on September 22, 2014, 01:59:49 PM
Two possible problems, either the wrong thickness clutch discs or steel plates...front clutch discs are .095" and rears are .061", steel plates are .068" or oversized .088".

There are also two different thickness pressure plates (see pic below) and the likely problem is the thick pressure plate (lower one in pic) is being used since the OP states he's using random parts. The thick pressure plate is pre-'65.

Thanks John...
I may have misguided...  My apologies...  The original 727 was torn down last week in an effort to rebuild it.  I am using the same parts with new discs, seals, gaskets, and the rebuild kit.  The 727 I have is a 1972 (built in Oct 1971).  I will mic the discs, and steel plates tonight...  the new steel plates are Raybestos and look a bit thicker than the original.  The clutch discs are much thicker than the original as the old ones were worn out...

Thanks again!

72Charger-SE

Ok..  I finished the rear clutch with the non-waffled discs..

The front however is another story...  same issue..  I have some exact measurements so perhaps this will help?

I took a video of the entire front clutch process.  I would like to post it for you to view however I am not sure where or how to do that here??



70-500-SE-EXPORT

Ok so you finished the rear clutch with the waffle discs isn't telling much... What thickness discs did you use? How were you able to get the snap ring in? What is the clearance you obtained?

You now have the same issue on the front clutch? How far away is the snap ring from fitting in the groove? As stated before you will need to buy the correct snap ring to obtain the correct clutchpack clearance. The .095 clutches, .068 steels and the .284 pressure plate are the correct thickness so I believe you just need a thinner snap ring.
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

John_Kunkel

The pics tell the tale, you have a 3-disc front drum, note location of snap ring grooves...won't be able to fit four in.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

72Charger-SE

John,

You are AWESOME!!!  YOU ROCK!!!    :2thumbs:

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone for helping solve this...   :)

I will remove one of the discs and plates...  which will fix my issue!  

For what it is worth I did not realize I only took 3 rings out of the front clutch.  I grabbed the bunch and stacked them on the bench not even realizing or counting them.  I see now that there are only 3 rings and 3 plates.   I am wondering why the FSM did not indicate a 3 or 4 disc option?  Oh well, problem solved.

YAY!!!



72Charger-SE

So...  this information creates a few other questions...

1.) Is 3 Discs in the front clutch enough for a street driver that will see 5% track time and 25% running hard time at most?
2.) Would adding more (6) thinner discs be a better way to ensure a long lasting transmission for running hard with occasional track time? 

Thanks & GOD Bless!

72Charger-SE

TCI Bolt-In sprag, housing seal and boot, shift kit, and replacement snap ring ordered...  should be here early next week.

I spent an hour or so attempting to clean the 41 years of caked on red clay mixed with transmission fluid and engine oil from the tranny case.  What a mess that was...  I plan to repaint the housing, install the bolt-in sprag, finish rebuilding the rest of the transmission components, and install the transmission in the car by October 7th.  We will see...

70-500-SE-EXPORT

Glad to hear you figured out the problem! The 3 clutch drums are not common. Most trans builders recommend the 4 clutch drum. Big blocks all had 4 clutches only slant 6/318 727's used 3 clutches. I would call TSR racing products and ask them for a 4 clutch drum. I got one from them for $75 because mine was cracked. Make sure you specify your trans is a 71+ which has a wide drum bushing. The other option you have is install 4 of the thinner rear clutches but they have less friction material and may wear out faster.
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

72Charger-SE

Quote from: 70-500-SE-EXPORT on September 24, 2014, 07:44:18 AM
Glad to hear you figured out the problem! The 3 clutch drums are not common. Most trans builders recommend the 4 clutch drum. Big blocks all had 4 clutches only slant 6/318 727's used 3 clutches. I would call TSR racing products and ask them for a 4 clutch drum. I got one from them for $75 because mine was cracked. Make sure you specify your trans is a 71+ which has a wide drum bushing. The other option you have is install 4 of the thinner rear clutches but they have less friction material and may wear out faster.

Thanks for the advice - 70-500-SE...   I contacted a local Mopar guy here and he will swap me a 4 disc for my 3 disc.  Praise the LORD!!  :)
Picking up the 4 disc later this morning.. 

72Charger-SE

Well, I was partially correct..

The local Mopar guy had one that I picked up.  It needs a little sanding on the outside to get it all shiny again.  He charged me $25 (not bad) and said he did not want the 3 disc clutch.   :icon_smile_big:  So, I have more 'metal' for the scrap yard...   :2thumbs:

John_Kunkel


I wouldn't run less than 4 clutches in any kind of performance 727. I have a lathe so I routinely cut a new snap ring groove in the 3-disc drums and I've actually seen a factory drum with two snap ring grooves.

Satan rules!
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

70-500-SE-EXPORT

I hope you got the drum with the wider bushing. The pre 1970 drums use a 1/2 wide bushing and the 71+ use a 5/8. You cannot swap them without changing the oil pump. The oil groove is a different location. 
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

72Charger-SE

Ok.  I am done rebuilding the transmission and also added the TransGo TF2 shift kit.  I ran into an issue and need your help...  The retainer clip for the tail housing shaft will not 'seat' properly...  any trick to get this into place??  You will notice or maybe you can't with these photos that the clip is above the retainer snap ring area..  ??

Thanks  & GOD Bless!

John_Kunkel


Reach in the slot with a flat-bladed screwdriver and pry the bearing until the snap ring pops in.

Satan rules.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

70-500-SE-EXPORT

If you did not set your endplay correctly you wont get that circlip to seat. There is a large composite washer that goes between the front oil pump and the front clutch. You set the endplay with various sizes washers. TSR has them. YOu need to attach a dial indicator to the front of the bell housing somehow and get a reading of the endplay by pulling and pushing the imput shaft in and out. If you have no endplay you wont be able to get the large circlip in. End play should always be checked after a rebuild. good luck!
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp

John_Kunkel


The output shaft bearing should be firmly locked in place long before the input shaft end play is checked.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

72Charger-SE

I used the same washer that was in the original build.  I suspect the washer may be an issue as I added another disc and steel to the front clutch.  Do you know the proper thickness of the correct 'washer' for a four clutch disc setup?

I can test the end play theory by putting the old 3 disc front clutch in and buttoning it all up.  I will then reseat the extension housing and see if I can get the circlip locked in place.  If I can I will check the end play. 

I will get the measurement for:
1.) Thickness of currently installed washer
2.) Approximate 'end play'

I will remove the extension housing and make sure I didn't damage the circlip thus preventing it from seating properly (not likely but possible, I guess...).

Thanks...

70-500-SE-EXPORT

Don't waste your time installing the old front clutch. With the extension housing bolted up and circlip locked in place and the front pump bolted up and tight with paper gasket in place (o ring can be left off now) see if the input shaft will move in and out. If so check the movement with a dial indicator. If I remember correctly the spec was .035-.110. You want to keep it on the low side. If you changed your clutch it is likely you will have to adjust the endplay.
I changed my front and rear clutch drums and my output shaft bearing snap ring would barely fit without forcing it with a screw driver. I had almost no endplay because there was a very thick .110 washer. It worked for my old clutch drums but not the new ones. Here are the various size thrust washers https://www.tsr-racing.com/chrysler-a727.html?cat=204&p=2
As John said, before checking the endplay you must first bolt up the tail-shaft. The output shaft bearing circlip must be locked in place before installing the front oil pump and checking the endplay. The bearing does take thrust therefore you cannot check the endplay until the circlip is seated.
68 Charger original SS1 paint with matching # 383hp