1969 Barracuda Fastback
Small update on the transmission:
It's my 3rd automatic transmission overhaul, but the first Chrysler 904, therefore I take my time and check everything twice. The kit from A&Reds was quite a disappointment, most washers are from a later year transmission, one fiber ring came broken, the output shaft seal is not the boot style version, and the front clutch band is a flex band with a very thin liner. My complaints have not been answered yet, but in order to save nerves and time, I contacted W.I.T. Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts and got right washers, a boot style seal and a rigid front clutch band. Super fast shipping and excellent communication - perfect. Attached is a picture showing my old rigid band, the flex band from A&Reds and the new W.I.T band - what a difference!
Another issue I ran into, was the alignment of the oil pump. The service manual shows a special tool (two pins), of unknown diameter and a large piston ring compressor. The closest what I had, were two 9mm drill bits, but no piston ring compressor. So, I inserted the oil pump assembly without the rubber seal and all bolts loose, into the transmission housing and put the drill bits in the two designated bores. After everything lined up perfectly, I tightened the bolts and removed the pump assembly. In one literature the usage of a clamps is recommended for pump alignment. Just wanted to share the method I used, with limited tools available.
Small update on the transmission:
It's my 3rd automatic transmission overhaul, but the first Chrysler 904, therefore I take my time and check everything twice. The kit from A&Reds was quite a disappointment, most washers are from a later year transmission, one fiber ring came broken, the output shaft seal is not the boot style version, and the front clutch band is a flex band with a very thin liner. My complaints have not been answered yet, but in order to save nerves and time, I contacted W.I.T. Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts and got right washers, a boot style seal and a rigid front clutch band. Super fast shipping and excellent communication - perfect. Attached is a picture showing my old rigid band, the flex band from A&Reds and the new W.I.T band - what a difference!
Another issue I ran into, was the alignment of the oil pump. The service manual shows a special tool (two pins), of unknown diameter and a large piston ring compressor. The closest what I had, were two 9mm drill bits, but no piston ring compressor. So, I inserted the oil pump assembly without the rubber seal and all bolts loose, into the transmission housing and put the drill bits in the two designated bores. After everything lined up perfectly, I tightened the bolts and removed the pump assembly. In one literature the usage of a clamps is recommended for pump alignment. Just wanted to share the method I used, with limited tools available.
