Can't say I'm thrilled with this shift kit- Turned up the line pressure another turn and a half and now the darn things doesn't want to drop into first when at a stop. I'll call transgo again in the morning, glad I put that drain plug in the pan...
42RH / A-500 in a Duster with pictures.
- Thread starter gdonovan
- Start date
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Have you tryed lowering the t.v pressure?If you turn the line pressure up it gets sensitive on the down shifts(floods worn circuts)
Also a worn t.v bore can cause this problem.
Did you use the trans go kit in you a500?
I believe they design and test there kits when the transmission is new and there is no wear.When you jack up the line pressure the it ends up in places it don"t need to be.
I have reamed many t.v bores with shift problems,it works well in most cases.
Glad to see you got it up and going,once you take the voodoo out of the install many will follow.
Good work!!
Also a worn t.v bore can cause this problem.
Did you use the trans go kit in you a500?
I believe they design and test there kits when the transmission is new and there is no wear.When you jack up the line pressure the it ends up in places it don"t need to be.
I have reamed many t.v bores with shift problems,it works well in most cases.
Glad to see you got it up and going,once you take the voodoo out of the install many will follow.
Good work!!
Line pressure is too high- I'm seeing 80 at idle and 120 at WOT. Factory spec is 65 at idle and 96 psi max at WOT. I'm going to roll back the pressure one turn and see how it works.
Yes I used the Transgo JR kit, their tech support sucks.
Minor grinding of the trans cross-member done along with a 5/16" shim to raise the back of the trans. Much better clearance! No more rattle from the mount settling.
Pan is draining out overnight, I'll adjust the pressure regulator tomorrow and document the line pressure changes at idle and WOT for reader reference.
Pan is draining out overnight, I'll adjust the pressure regulator tomorrow and document the line pressure changes at idle and WOT for reader reference.
Just an FYI for those considering this, here is a rough breakdown of what it cost me.
$150 transmission core
$230 Mopar Performance converter
$24 Shift kit
$195 Driveshaft shorten and balance
$123 Trans rebuild kit
$40 Five clutch front drum
$15 New aluminum accumulator
$40 4.2 ratio kickdown lever
$29 Longer speedo cable
$6 Trans mount
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$852
If you were on a budget, you could go with the original converter or even a reman (the Mopar ones are pretty tough and the one I got was mint) and you certainly don't have to go with a better kickdown lever or find some parts like the speedo cable cheaper.
Yes I did all the work myself and have a welder too, the cross-member was made from scrap collected over the years from projects gone by but would not be that expensive either.
Overdrive is da'bomb! For all the headaches, I would not go back.
$150 transmission core
$230 Mopar Performance converter
$24 Shift kit
$195 Driveshaft shorten and balance
$123 Trans rebuild kit
$40 Five clutch front drum
$15 New aluminum accumulator
$40 4.2 ratio kickdown lever
$29 Longer speedo cable
$6 Trans mount
---------
$852
If you were on a budget, you could go with the original converter or even a reman (the Mopar ones are pretty tough and the one I got was mint) and you certainly don't have to go with a better kickdown lever or find some parts like the speedo cable cheaper.
Yes I did all the work myself and have a welder too, the cross-member was made from scrap collected over the years from projects gone by but would not be that expensive either.
Overdrive is da'bomb! For all the headaches, I would not go back.
dustoff440
Well-Known Member
Just read that the overdrive won't survive full throttle shifts behind a motor with moderate to high horsepower.
Woods74
Broke Senior
Here is a link, and a excerpt from moparts on the subject:
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=6197494
" I have no idea where the guys get the BS saying the Mopar ODs are weak. My a518 has held up behind my Cummins for 273,000 miles. I tweaked the pump for more than 600 rwtq at 150,000 miles. This thing has been drag raced, jumped, off roaded, done donuts, hauled really heavy loads, and pulled cars through more than 20 states.
In short, I beat the crap out of this truck and the transmission has never let me down. I TOW IN OVERDRIVE.
The later trucks lost overdrive because of converter clutch failure. When the clutches fail the debris goes through the transmission. The overdrive compounder collects the trash and fails first. The OD isn't to blame. It's the converter.
Put an a500 in the car and hit the road. It'll do everything you need. "
Looks like the a500 FTW, wish I would have done one now I dumped a bunch into my a904 that has the 2.74 low gear set. Can't justify the 2-3MPG, if that, I'd get in return to do one now.
There is a whole pack of Durango, Ram and Dakota owners who would dispute that.
As a Dodge tech I have seen zero failures in the field of the overdrive unit. I'd be more concerned with "904" related failures.
I'm amazed how many people tell me that "904 SUCK DUDE GET A 727" ignoring the legions of racers running them behind everything from 408 strokers to full blown Hemis without fail.
Built right they work just fine.
Looks like the a500 FTW, wish I would have done one now I dumped a bunch into my a904 that has the 2.74 low gear set. Can't justify the 2-3MPG, if that, I'd get in return to do one now.
I picked up a LOT more than 2-3 mpg, just wish I had more time to drive the car this summer but I have been working on this since May23rd. 24 x 40 with 12 foot walls, plenty of room for two lifts, will be working in style this winter! A lot of work though and the rain storms coming through every 2 days or so are killing my progress.
View attachment DSCN6303ss.jpg
Nice, better start a thread in the shop section! That will make a put new outlook on winter work.
Woods74
Broke Senior
Pics are here if you want to check it out, no facebook account required.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151771724740716.860611.594910715&type=3&l=2c4e1a7574
Hard to say but we drive to Berlin for a car show and the amount of fuel used was cut almost in half and we get there quicker now.
1900 vs 3500 going down the highway and I can cruise at 80 now.
Car is back on the road- I'm planning a few road trips and will try to get MPG numbers for you. Also go the overdrive shifting fully automatic now and the car is a great pleasure to drive. Once things quiet down I'll work on a build page and shifting tutorial.
needsaresto
Well-Known Member
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This is the key. Build it right with quality parts and a bolt in sprag and it should take as much pounding as a 727.
Please do. I'm interested in seeing how you wired it up for OD and converter lock out.
42RH has a bolt in sprag right out of the box from the factory =)
66plyValiant
Well-Known Member
Similar setup to mine but I have two lockouts (I can disable overdrive and lockup at any time) and I use a relay to protect the switches which can burn from the amp load.
Been there, done that!
Woods74
Broke Senior
My eyes are peeled on this thread, going to do this swap when I'm done with the sea of body work I have to do.
needsaresto
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Sounds like the factory finally caught up to all us hotrodders,lol.It's a good thing though if it's done right
My eyes are peeled on this thread, going to do this swap when I'm done with the sea of body work I have to do.
I think the factory overdrive is the greatest thing since sliced bread, I can crank down the road as fast as I please without killing the motor, wallet or my ears!
The decrease in noise & drone is dramatic.
OK an update- I'm tinkering around with schemes for shifting control and tried a vacuum switch for the kickdown. Don't like it as if you get the throttle just right it will cause the car to rapidly shift in and out of overdrive even after playing with the set points.. My initial thought was this is perfect time for a WOT switch but went with vacuum as it can be hidden and was fairly quick to do. I'll play with it a bit more but think when I have the spare time install a Wide Open Throttle switch, either of the carb linkage or gas pedal.
If you do want to go with a vacuum switch, I found one for $12 shipped.
If you do want to go with a vacuum switch, I found one for $12 shipped.
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