A904 debris in pan

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Valiant12

Valiant12

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Cleveland, Ohio
Two summers ago, the A904 transmission in my 63 Valiant stopped working while driving. After about 15 min, it started working again and I was able to drive it home. I dropped the pan and discovered that the mesh screen (this is original and has a metal mesh screen and an external filter in the trans fluid cooling line) was plugged with a fine grayish-blackish silt. Very fine particles that were sticking together in the screen. Cleaned the screen and it worked fine.
I did not think it was unusual, as it looked like the pan had never been off of the transmission before.

This past summer, the same thing happened. The only difference was that, this time the grayish/blackish debris was larger in size, and not simply an emulsion of fine particles.

Is this a common problem with a known solution?

Should I just have it rebuilt or replaced?

Thank you!
 
How's the transmission shifting, is it slipping or something? If not, it's most likely regular wear. I've seen what you describe many times before. Not really an issue unless the transmission isn't functioning properly. 65'
 
There is usually a little sludge just below the filter when pulling the pan. Just material from the clutches and some small sparkly particles. The brass or copper colored sparkles are usually a little thrust washer material. The silver colored is aluminum or gear material. A little of each is normal. If there's quite a pile it is cause of alarm but Torqueflites are quite tough and may last a long time with a new filter and some fresh fluid.
 
Plymouth 65 said:
How's the transmission shifting, is it slipping or something? If not, it's most likely regular wear. I've seen what you describe many times before. Not really an issue unless the transmission isn't functioning properly. 65'
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Thanks for the reply. No problems at all with shifting or slippage. It will start to whine a little bit on startup when the screen starts to get plugged up, but it still runs for a while after that. It will run fine until it gets completely clogged, then it just quits. Then, I assume it can't get enough oil into the pump to generate any pressure. Once it sits long enough, I think some of the particles settle back into the pan, and it will run fine for a short time.

Anyway, would it be considered normal to have to drop the pan once a year to clean it out?

Just a note, I have not replaced the external filter, I see them on e-bay for $125.
 
What does the actual fluid look like? Dark fluid and/or burnt smell will tell you if its slipping. Some fine particulates in the pan is perfectly normal over time.
 
Valiant12 said:
Just a note, I have not replaced the external filter, I see them on e-bay for $125.
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Double check me, but if I remember correctly, you can use a later (deeper) trans pan, and put the 64-65 two hole trans filter on the trans. Then remove the inline filter, and replace it with a section of line.
 
MoparMike1974 said:
What does the actual fluid look like? Dark fluid and/or burnt smell will tell you if its slipping. Some fine particulates in the pan is perfectly normal over time.
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Original fluid was darker than new, did not smell burnt. I figured it might have been in there for 75,000 miles and 50 years, so I wasn't worried about that. The new fluid is not dark, but not that many miles since I changed it.
 
Valiant12 said:
Since I'm not that familiar with transmissions, is that just saying the bands and clutch packs are worn, or does it mean there are other issues with the transmission. I am wondering if it can be rebuilt.

Thank you.
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Sure unless the case is unusable which is rare.
 
There are Youtube videos about servicing transmissions and what new fluid does to them. Washes more of embedded material away and accelerates failure.
Todays transmissions have what I think is called world class fluid. No trans service in the maintenance schedule. Either way, run it till it quits, rebuild.
 
Valiant12 said:
Since I'm not that familiar with transmissions, is that just saying the bands and clutch packs are worn, or does it mean there are other issues with the transmission. I am wondering if it can be rebuilt.

Thank you.
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Find the videos posted by Precision Transmission in Amarillo, TX. He has one 727 video. You can tell by his video that he likes the durability and simplicity of the 727/904 units.

Watch and learn.
 
I don't mean to be rude but anybody who knows 727s will tell you that guy in the Precision video doesn't know what he's talking about. I watched it just to check it, and it's like so many other videos that pretend to know a lot about 727s. Just NO. Too much bad info. If Valiant12 wants our help in reworking his 904 then I'm sure he will receive plenty of assistance from the many tranny guys on here that are a lot more knowledgeable than the Precision Trans guy.
 
CudaFactHackJob said:
I don't mean to be rude but anybody who knows 727s will tell you that guy in the Precision video doesn't know what he's talking about. I watched it just to check it, and it's like so many other videos that pretend to know a lot about 727s. Just NO. Too much bad info. If Valiant12 wants our help in reworking his 904 then I'm sure he will receive plenty of assistance from the many tranny guys on here that are a lot more knowledgeable than the Precision Trans guy.
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I posted that so the novice would have a good video showing him some of the inner workings of a Mopar transmissions. They can be intimidating for many.

We can disagree with some of his opinions but we do this among ourselves here everyday on a myriad of subjects.
 
I can appreciate that, but Precision had actual "facts" that were dead wrong. Just off the top of my head; that you had to go to an overdrive trans to get a four plate direct drum; he has very very little experience with 727s. They're just making videos to make money is all. To top it off, most 518s I've taken apart only had three plate directs.
 
CudaFactHackJob said:
Are you going to take out your transmission yourself?
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I don't think I can do it myself... health issues and lack of proper equipment. Probably will have to pay a shop to remove it, rebuild it, and reinstall it. Would love to do the rebuild part though.

Know any quality classic car shops in the Cleveland area?
 
Some of the shops around here charge $500 to r&r a trans. Don't you have any "Mobile Mechanics" around there? You ought to be able to find a guy to remove for $75 and then install for $75. Slant sixes are easier. You can fix it yourself and probably have a better trans than what most shops would do (with this forum's help)...from what I've seen..
 
CudaFactHackJob said:
Some of the shops around here charge $500 to r&r a trans. Don't you have any "Mobile Mechanics" around there? You ought to be able to find a guy to remove for $75 and then install for $75. Slant sixes are easier. You can fix it yourself and probably have a better trans than what most shops would do (with this forum's help)...from what I've seen..
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Thanks very much for the idea. I have not heard of mobile mechanics around here, but I will check. Come to think of it, I did see one in a mall parking lot changing someone's brakes.
 
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