Dead Torqueflite Autopsy - Digging Into Our 67 Charger's Transmission To Find Out What Let Go

We're getting our Charger ready to hit this year's Power Tour, and one of the big issues we had was a 727 Torqueflite that took forever to drop into gear, and slipped like crazy once in high.
The damage to the clutches and other internals was expected, but the cause was a complete surprise.
#classiccar #mopar #musclecar #autorepair #dodge
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[@ds440RB]

Part of what's so great about this channel is how you've talked about in the past how much you hate tranny work, but then go into a tranny rebuild with the same confidence, knowledge, and positive "get it done" attitude that you have when you're building an engine. Another great video, thank you Uncle Tony!

[@jeffnorbert1871]

In a literally insane world I come here to relax and keep my own mind right.

[@SweatyFatGuy]

Same here. I come to car channels to relax and motivate me to get stuff done.

[@ds440RB]

Exactly what I do too, you couldn't have said that better.

[@steveib724]

Right on

[@FrankIzzo-rx3ut]

@@SweatyFatGuy With a name like that, maybe you’re relaxing too much🤣🤣🤣

[@anthropicandroid4494]

It's gotten worse... #SVB

[@rodneybyrd9516]

Usually converter drainback causes the delay in the morning, and low throttle pressure kills the direct clutches. Of course low fluid level can cause/contribute to both. The gasket thing is a new one, but certainly could have been your problem if it was missing like that. Sharp eye!

[@justgriff1295]

We need a video on that spring! Don’t leave us hanging like that haha.

[@codydaniel3239]

You're the reason I have the confidence to drive old vehicles as daily's. Now I do admit I don't have any desirable stuff my daily right now is in 82 Cordoba that I'm building a small. block 318 for again nothing special You're a service to the people that are trying to keep the hobby alive and I'd even turned the parts business into one of my side hustles to fund my projects keep up the great work utg

[@Liam8488]

82 Cordoba is still a Mopar and real Mopar guys will respect it, guys who scoff at anything less than a Hemi Cuda are posers. I daily a 1980 Newport 360

[@JrGoonior]

I have an 82 Cordoba in Gold that I hope to have running this year. I am pulling the 360 out of a 79 Cordoba, going to refresh it (Rings, bearings, etc.). I have a factory 360 Thermoquad manifold and will add a very mild cam. BTW, the previous owner of mine stuffed an 8 3/4 from a 1970 Challenger in it, said it was direct fit. I had an 83 Cordoba from 88-91, I blew up the original 7 1/4 rear end, replaced it with an 8 1/4 from a Volare with 2.71 gears, made car the relatively quick for the day even with the 2bbl 318. Good Luck!!!

[@GTOFERN]

Build that Cordoba up, life is too short, just enjoy it. From a Pontiac guy with love and respect for MOPARs.

[@bob8776]

I’ll say it again: The Defective Detective really needs to become a channel

[@fastinradfordable]

Love you uncle Tony. You’re the man. Thanks for getting me excited for my engine to blow. Rather than devastated. THAT is a true gift from one man to another🙏🏼❤️

[@gabrielback5615]

I remember following a magazine article (Chrysler Performance maybe) on how to performance modify a 727 years ago. It showed where to dill hole out, or two maybe, throw away that spring, install a spacer, adjust the pressure, throw away a check ball, add some clutch springs, I forget all the things. That would be an awesome show to do if you could, as I remember the results were really good on my 1974 D100 Adventurer with a camper package 440 auto, loved that truck.

[@JrGoonior]

I remember that article, too! Works on both 727 and 904, they use the same valve body. I don't remember the spacer but everything else sounds correct. Did those mods to my 77 Diplomat 318 that I threw a Thermoquad on. 1-2 shift was hard but wouldn't chirp the tires and 2nd gear went past 90 MPH, not good with a basically stock 318 and 2.71 gears, 2nd usually didn't go past 75 MPH.

[@alrui]

There are some books out on the rebuild process that probably leverage some of this "lost" knowledge.

[@Louis-qi1gz]

I've been rebuilding automatic transmissions 45 YEARS this is the 727 torque flight three speed most of the time they just wear out due to age because of gradual friction exactly like break lining gets to thin to stop the car ,, well the clutch pack gets to thin to pull the car , but Tony over 40 years ago I was just learning this trade , just so happened my nabuer had a prospector Dodge half ton I was just a teenager and my dad was GM FACTORY TRAINED FOR ALL HYDRO MATIC ,,, BUT THAT BLOWN OUT GASKET MADE ME REMEMBER ABOUT HOW THE DEALERSHIP AND 2 OTHER SHOPS COULD FIGURE OUT ,,,,, THAT THE SURFACE AREA WAS NEVER CUT DOWN TO MATE THE GASKET SO I TOOK A PUTTY KNIFE AND GAVE IT A SHAVE , MY DAD GAVE ME A 20 DOLLAR BILL AND TOLD ME THANK YOU JUNIOR 🔧🏁

[@musicauthority7828]

I had to replace a reverse band on a 727 torque flite. it was in a 1974 International 3/4 pickup. it wasn't too bad of a job, although a person has to basically completely disassemble the transmission to replace the reverse band. I guess it's fairly common for reverse band's to break on those transmissions. especially when people don't service them at regular intervals. and the ear of the band and the servo the clearance will get out of spec. and with the extra clearance the servo will slam into the ear of the band. and because ears on the band are cast iron. usually one of the ears will snap off. if a person keeps the clearance where it should be because band adjustment is part of the service intervals, they usually will never break. because most Torque flite transmissions don't have removable tail shaft housings. everything has to come out of the front of the transmission necessitating complete disassembly. because the band is at the back of the transmission.

[@samuelsfarm]

I'm not sure if you bother to read the comments, but if you do; (A) Save the wavy plate steel, it is the release spring for the clutch pack, sometimes there a coned shaped steel as well, both one or the other is necessary for a timely release of the clutch. (B) almost always converter blead down is the reason for a wait time to engage the gears the converter must fill first it gets first priority and there will be no usable line pressure until its full and air free . This is caused by a leaking seal o ring it bleeds down when the pump is not pumping (OFF). There must be line pressure free of air entrapment for proper function of the clutches/servos. (C) The gasket break is only part of the equation, a small part, look to replace all the seals especially on the shafts. Be very careful to have new trans fluid with absolutely no additives that will swell the seals or you get to do this trans job again. That said I love your channel keep up the good work. Lastly I have a 2881489 aka 489 old dirty but complete if your interested, not sure if its an open or a sure lock. I just don't know how to establish contact so be creative. It will soon be on face market.

[@UncleTonysGarage]

Sam, the Torqueflite uses a wavy snap ring, not a plate. The one here is definitely warped and cracked. As for the 489, I appreciate the offer, but I've actually been giving the things away lately. I've got more rear stuff than I know what to do with.

[@michaelpatterson6572]

Keep up the good work Tony!! You've taught me more in a few years, that I learned in 50 years before! Can't thank you enough brother!!

[@Elaba_]

It was a dark and stormy night, and the Johnson family was driving home from a late dinner when their car suddenly came to a halt. The engine had died, and they were stranded in the midle of nowhere. They tried to start the car again, but it was no use - the transmission was dead. Frustrated and frightened, they decided to call for a tow truck and wait for help to arrive. As they sat in the car, they began to feel uneasy. It was as if someone - or something - was watching them from the darkness outside. And then they saw it - a body bag, lying on the ground just a few feet away. At first, they thought it was just their imagination playing tricks on them. But then they heard a strange noise coming from the bag, like a low growling sound. Suddenly, the bag began to move, as if something inside it was trying to break free. The Johnson family watched in horror as the bag began to tear apart at the seams, revealing the source of the noise - a dead transmission, covered in blood and rust. As they tried to scramble out of the car and run for safety, the transmission began to move on its own. It slithered across the ground, pulling itself towards them like a hungry animal. The Johnson family triet to fight back, but it was no use. The dead transmission was too strong, and it had a wil of its own. It attacked them, latching onto their bodies and infecting them with its deadly rust. In the end, the Johnson family was no match for the vengeful transmission. Their bodies were left behint, covered in rust and blood, as the transmission slithered away into the darkness, ready to claim its next victyms.

[@digschopper9321]

It never bit them with its sprag, injecting deadly burnt ATF into their veins?

[@peters8758]

Bet it was an old 1950's PowerFlite with that cast iron case. Unspeakable rust compared to the aluminum TorqueFlite. My TF never tried to eat me, but my 340 sure ate a TF one night after work.

[@minnesotatomcat]

Those little Coleman mini bikes are great, bought one brand new for my kids a few years back. Engine always runs great, my only complaint is the wheel bearings they used from the factory, just junk. Mine have all literally fallen apart and had to be replaced already.

[@martehoudesheldt5885]

ya need to find an old dishwasher to use as a parts cleaner. run the drain back to the tank. use the element to heat the cleaner

[@agnesweppler4360]

na utg will just use gasoline

[@johnweaver8470]

Looking forward to seeing a automatic transmission rebuild keep the videos coming Tony

[@clembob8004]

I have never seen that particular problem, but I did experience something crazy back about 40 years ago on a 69 D100 318/Loadflite auto. Someone had removed the entire kickdown rod on this truck before I bought it, and not paying enough attention to it and doing nothing to fix the issue, the clutches pretty much destroyed themselves. It stopped working altogether, I took it apart and the clutches were broken up into a thousand pieces. Needless to say, lesson learned!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

I learned how important that missing rod was in my first high school 68 Charger!!! After it's function was fully explained, I made sure every other car not only had one, but that it was adjusted properly!!!

[@musicauthority7828]

727 torque flite transmissions, don't have a kick down rod. at least in the conventional sense, they what is called a T/P (throttle position) rod. it not only controls the passing gear it also controls the upshifts. and the adjustment on that rod is very important for the transmission to work properly.

[@troymecey]

Glad you caught it before catastrophic failure.

[@felixlafuente9714]

Uncle! Put that trans go shift kit you showed in a box!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Haha toss that accumulator spring!!! Been doing that since you suggested it in a magazine about 100 years ago!!!🤣

[@throttlewatch4614]

Those hats should have a ponytail on them

[@indianaslim4971]

Or just grow your own ponytail.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@FrankIzzo-rx3ut]

@@indianaslim4971 He must look scary when he takes his hat off. Bald ass head with a ratty ponytail with hair dye. Old guys pretending to have hair is really funny 😂😂😂

[@rockymeyers4030]

Did the guy with the white C body coupe that fragged a sprag in the shop driveway get his car back together yet?

[@waylinbuerger2753]

You and "Kim Fixes Things" could have a mini bike race just like the "Bottle rocket and Casper" race coming up in the future.

[@ercost60]

5:25 Like I sez... ! I've rebuilt 3 Torqueflites. Love the smell of Mopar ATF.

[@joealbert7773]

Slipping in high gear is a classic front clutch problem. However, it won't cause delayed engagement. It's a good thing you found the pump gasket problem.

[@bw3506]

I think for peace of mind I would check both the case and the pump side with a straight edge or dye for flatness in that area before reassembly.

[@jamesblum6238]

Great video! What is the spring you don't reuse?

[@alrui]

My question as well...my theory is the engineers don't add parts just for shits & grins!

[@christopherportal7742]

Rebuilt the 727 in my 79 D150. Had no reverse. Somebody prior to me “rebuilt” the trans and it had no reverse when they put it back together. They ended up purchasing a rebuild kit for a 518. Reverse band is a 1/4in difference. Entire reverse drum was destroyed and output shaft support was all boogered up. I replaced the parts with pieces I got out of my local junkyard from a ram charger. Shifts like butter and reverse works great now lol.

[@doesnothinspecial6680]

Personally I blame Uncle Squirrel.

[@unclesquirrel6951]

👉🏻🐿✅

[@NathansMoparGarage]

🐿️🦖

[@DanEBoyd]

➡🐿🍲🍟⬅

[@TMT915]

Thats ole John

[@daviduglem3213]

Another video. Nobody else but you would do. Tony. I love it, thanks a lot.

[@sprocket9200]

Tony! I live this channel, been watching for quite a while. I love the old mopars ! Had a 73 road runner,63 Dodge van (Fargo) 70 challenger, all gone😪 Anyway, please do a step-by-step trans assembly!!! And why throw away that spring???? Lol

[@moyadapne968]

It's the accumulator spring. The perception is throwing the spring away gives a firmer shift. I've done many of these autos and never throw away the spring unless a shift kit is fitted and a sleeve put in to stop the accumulator from fully stroking. But I'm not brave enough to say on a new post. The problem with this auto goes deeper than a broken gasket. I'm rebuilding a 1963 T/F at present, and I may video the assembly.

[@garryhatchett775]

Good eye, catching that gasket.

[@Mynextproject_74]

Please make a video about going through the valve body!

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

Great work.

[@zakburnett6690]

This is the poster child of stop as soon as your trans/engine has problems that you notice, if it was taken apart as soon as it started that weird pressure loss on startup thing it would have been just a gasket and back on the road but someone probably kept driving it before it was parked and stopped just short of a full rebuild even clutches going out can go from pretty much just new clutches and send it to totally wiping out everything down to the case I do understand sometimes in some places in some conditions you can't just stop witch could be what happened with this one somebody could have been getting away from something or getting out of some bad weather or getting to someone that needed help it was kick while it was down then just retired who knows tho it could have happened from behind parked then driven again lol

[@ericwilson2585]

If I remember correctly, the torque converter on those have a drain plug that you can remove so that you can flush it out with cleaning solvent.

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

I tuned in for the carb video. I'm devastated.

[@stevenbongiorno9277]

I’ve got an late 80s G-body with the 200-4R, and I’ve changed the fluid on it twice, since I got it in 94. I’ve seen a bunch of clutch material at the bottom of the pan both times. I have come to realize that it’s because of running the Holley carb, before all the corrective brackets were produced, to make the Holley work on the GM transmission. I bought the throttle linkage adapter from TCI, and still had to adjust it to make it work for me. It sorta works. I can chirp the tires in drive, from first to second, but third is soft. I’m not experienced enough to try to rare my trans apart and figure out how to rebuild it. I’m looking to find a 5speed manual, and convert my ride. I did it back in the 80s with an old Camaro I had, and I’m looking forward to converting my GP to a manual transmission. I’ve reworked everything but my transmission so far, and I know that will make a big improvement

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Good stuff Happy Motoring.

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Excellent

[@wheelieking71]

"Cant keep the front wheel on the ground"?! I gotta have one! LOL

[@shotsrodder]

Nice find 😎👍

[@AndyLishious]

That gasket ripped when you unbolted it from the case.

[@FrankIzzo-rx3ut]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Most of time they rip when you take the bolts off.

[@AndyLishious]

@@FrankIzzo-rx3ut yeah happens all the time on Hydromatics. So he has another problem.

[@Meche697]

Same symptoms, 2008 Dakota, all clutches GONE!

[@rcnelson]

Next to electronics/electrical systems, automatic transmissions are the most mysterious part of a car.

[@rctopfueler2841]

how about showing these folks how to beef it up and do a reverse valve body setup great video anyways

[@UncleTonysGarage]

Definitely no sort of manual valve body on this car. I want it so anybody could get in it and drive anywhere

[@rctopfueler2841]

@@UncleTonysGarage sometimes i forget this is a do it for yourself budget minded like it came from factory kinda experience place

[@Z_732]

UT... Explain the spring out just chucked out of the torque flight... Good vid btw!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Accumulator piston spring - softens and dampens the pressure when applied to the clutch piston to give a softer shift...

[@mostlyoldparts]

I'd rather rebuild a Torqueflite than install lower control arm bushings on a Charger. LOL. Good luck, Tony!

[@Bigcountry_littlelegs]

Love this simple cheap meal keep it up

[@zerogmopars746]

Transmission looks like it is 1971-up version. Pump, support, wide bushing drum, input shaft to match pump support, valve body had part throttle kick-down.

[@jojo-pt8sx]

You’re gonna hate the outside world…tour 65’ Valiant hood 57 lbs (bath scale) sheeeez! In memory of Lew Robinson. 66’ NHRA World champ and all around beautiful lunatic.

[@yurimodin7333]

ordered a hat & t-shirt.....gonna wear them while I am wrenching on my GMC 😛

[@rickseeman5679]

I overhauled a 727 once. But it never moved again under it’s own power.

[@jimbosc]

I have a 212cc Predator on my Toro snowblower - is sounds like a Go Kart and runs great - those engines rip

[@bennyboyy7]

Hey Tony, I jumped to telling you about CRT and then heard you mention him after I typed it all out.

[@robertwest3093]

Automatic transmissions are the only part of a car that I haven't worked on. Installing a shift kit is all I have done. Manual transmissions are a piece of cake, at least compared to an automatic. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to learn about them, I just don't know anyone who knows how to work on them to learn hands on from.

[@jamesblair9614]

So you threw a spring away, where is it from, what is it's purpose, and in what way will it change the operation of the transmission?

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Accumulator piston spring. The fluid has to compress the spring, then move the piston before applying the clutch. Basically a damper to soften the fluid pressure application for "smoother shifts". Who wants that LOL???

[@mikeeiben3430]

All that clutch material is in the converter also. Time for a rebuild or replacement.

[@kevinjohnson9372]

I'm into the minis as well and that one has been crashed mot a biggie but the front end is bent the pipes should be strate from the wheel all the way to the 90ish degree handle bars starts

[@codyleemeece]

Does the Torqueflyte not have a wave plate? Because that’s what that looks like.

[@edspencer7121]

You can find parts for that transmission in the Ford Performance FMX catalog....

[@moparmatt5896]

I wonder if the pump wasn't properly seated in the case? I'd say you'll be checking your endplay measurements on re assembly

[@lilmike2710]

See uncle squirrel??? The squirrels had nothing to do with it. Twas a bad pump gasket.😊

[@douglasshorter1513]

Do a video on the valve body and we’re the ball bears go and how to tell them apart😊😊😊😊😊

[@Aceman597]

I feel like it's better to have your own transmission rebuilt if it's not totally crapped out then to buy a random rebuilt one that may have been grenaded. It seems like you have a better chance .

[@chriscadman6379]

Uncle Tony, the transmission is on it's side. They don't work if they are on their side!

[@jseal21]

I disagree about your synopsis of how you lose a forward drum. I've never noticed a grenaded forward drum with the area between the keys braking free from the drum and causing damage, it's always appeared to me to be centrifugal force causing cracks at the keys and the entire drum literally exploding when it freewheels. You could argue that it's a minor difference but it's what I've noticed. I'm certain you've seen more than me, I've never seen that type of damage in the few I've personally looked at. Any how if you have a 727 with more that 500+/- torque upgrade your sprag and over 600-650 billet forward drum

[@brianlevan339]

Love the trans videos.

[@marcphillips1020]

Wide bushing stator👍

[@P.R.Shriram]

Hey Uncle Tony & cousins, I've got a rebuilt 727 from a first gen Cummins that I'm willing to trade for a compatible manual transmission

[@paulsjdavis]

Put a 4140 billet drum in it. Doesn't seem like it would rpg explode like the stock cast iron unit.

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

you just got boxes of steels and clutches

[@ethanmanley4594]

What does the spring you throw away do?

[@assymcgee2835]

It's a shift cushion spring. Makes the shift softer. Usually replaced with a slug to make the shift solid.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

​@@assymcgee2835 you can just leave it out and reinstall piston... Have been doing it that way since the late 80s or early 90s when Tony suggested it in a magazine article!!!

[@andrewgalvan]

How hard is it to fix a leak coming from where the shift linkage goes into the transmission?

[@marc11467]

Hi UT. I'm having the same issue with the delayed reverse engagement. Especially when it been sitting for a few days. It takes about 10 seconds for the torque converter to fill with trans fluid so it will go backwards. Is it very detrimental to leave it this way for a time?

[@bw3506]

It will fill faster if you go from park to neutral for a few seconds then into reverse.

[@rgbigdog]

You said there was no support for that gasket at the intake area so wouldn't that mean that there's a problem with the machined surface in that area. And if there is then just putting it all back together with a new gasket is inviting a repeat of a future failure for the new gasket.

[@kevinclancy.]

great detective work! Question- I noticed you don't take apart the rear section of the transmission, is that because it's not normally bad and therefore not necessary to dig into? I'm referring to the tailshaft and those components you can see deep inside the case.

[@UncleTonysGarage]

Yes, on these transmissions (most) all of the hydraulic and common wear items are in the front of the trans. Since I knew this unit functioned well with the exception of slipping, there was no need to dig into the rear of the case.

[@kevinclancy.]

@@UncleTonysGarage thank you for the quick reply I appreciate it

[@ianhale4466]

What's that spring you tossed for?

[@scottcooper1173]

There's that squirt bottle again.....full of 95 octane ready to degrease or start another car........Multi-use tools are the best.!

[@nicholasagnew2792]

Pretty sure something similar to this happened on my Passat W8...The only modern car I own

[@tylerpangerl]

New to torqueflites, whats the useless spring for?

[@davesaylor5135]

What causes reverse band to break in a 727

[@chrisduda1974rr]

What does that spring do and why does it get discardes

[@ericuncapher9922]

Accumulator spring

[@thomasforthe9274]

Where was that spring and why does it get trashed?

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Accumulator piston spring. Softens the application pressure to the clutches for softer shifts. Who wants that???🤣😂🤣

[@hubertfruzia1803]

Torque wrench was not use, to put it together or bolt was missed.

[@yehornaumov5893]

Raced the fuck out of it.

[@peacemaker6156]

The spring that you throw away on a torqe flight ? Ah haaaa hahaha

[@rustybritches6747]

727 falling out of the car won't you take me down to Memphis cuz I need my mopar I wanna move looking for a mechanics hand, yeah quadrajet won't squirt torqueflite won't work now I'm in Uncle Tony's hands, yeah Light me up a bugler Pour me a cup of caffeine Come on come on jump in Uncle Kathy, yeah Looking for my mechanic man Torqueflite won't work Thermoquad won't squirt Now Im in Uncle Tony's land, YEAH! Thank you CCR 😂

[@Cstoreri]

All clutch burn out!

[@pauljones2031]

Lol I've seen that much material in a pan before.

[@stevenaugustine94]

Why do you throw away a spring on a torqueflite?

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Accumulator piston spring. It softens apply pressure to clutches for softer shift. Toss the spring, quicker harder shifts...

[@marcusmaddenov2451]

Have you considered putting a more modern 5 speed Auto in it?

[@bcbloc02]

Does anyone make a modern 5 speed auto that doesn't need electronics to control it?

[@raybrensike42]

How fast will the mini bike go? We need a video.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Should swap an 810 or a 993cc Briggs on it.

[@agnesweppler4360]

burnt out video on the minibike.

[@waylinbuerger2753]

@@agnesweppler4360 UTG and "Kim Fixes Things" could have a competition with some cash on the line.

[@dubiousf00d]

@@MrTheHillfolk and a place to hold a ramen cup!

[@karlbishop7481]

I built a mini bike from a pile of parts last summer. I used a Predator motor. Can't keep the front wheel on the ground. I am a long time biker and this scares me. It originally had a Clinton engine which has nowhere near the power of the Predator.

[@haro997]

Modify the valve body make it a manual/automatic

[@robertwhitehead3022]

Nice had a 10-horse on mini bike almost killed myself fast fast got them gears in the rear

[@chrislafever4350]

Gasket came from an inferior source? If there are any good sources!

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

UTG, why do you throw the spring away on the torque flite

[@michaelsmith-rh4yt]

Be better to keep the spring, those trans before about 1971 shifted great. Check the sprag in the bottom of the case.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

It's an accumulator piston spring. It initially dampens/softens the apply pressure to the clutch for a smoother, softer shift. Who wants that???🤣🤣

[@TheProchargedmopar]

👍💪

[@8000RPM.]

QUESTION: What doesn't this guy know?

[@joe-hp4nk]

Don't forget to fill up.