727 ticking in park?

As the title says guys, I built a transmission for my buddy’s car, (not my first rodeo) and it’s ticking in “park only” so he tells me, described similar to a lifter tick. I haven’t been over to check it out yet but wanted to get your thoughts and share mine prior to heading over there. Here’s some background on the build.

He wanted a street/strip 727 for his 440, that hit real hard was his request. So here’s what I did. Started with a early 1966/67 19 spline core that he had, that yard drove. Upon pulling it apart checking clearances etc. everything seemed in exceptional shape. Due to his budget constraints and requests I built it as follows.

Alto red eagle clutches
Koline steels
B&M shift kit set to street/strip
4.2 servo lever
Type F fluid for better hold
All new seals, bearing surfaces etc. I washed the case before re assemble. Two turns out on the bands. Front and rear band was replaced with new style flex bands.
Per his request used a torco 2500 stall converter. The sprag is a factory press in, he didn’t opt for the bolt in. Planetaries where beautiful, front pump spec’d ok. No modification to the clutch packs were performed, factory spec with upgraded components. It looked like a super low mile trans to start with.

So, as requested it holds great, shreds the rear tires in second and third gear changes. However, he is telling me it’s making a ticking sound only in park, in neutral or any other gear it’s not there. No whines, no chunks, no grinds. He also said the converter wasn’t stalling much.

In my head I’m thinking converter issue outside of the obvious loose bolt or flex plate crack. The engine is a new build too, very basic 10:1 edelbrock performer rpm complete package. Forged neutral balance. He just got it all in the car last week.

When I go over to diagnose it, I’ll have a better idea. What is you guys thoughts? Again everything is new, and any re used part was within range of Mopar specs.

It’s got me stumped unless it’s something simple he overlooked.

I know there is no pump flow on 727s in park unless you modify the throttle body plunger which was not done with the b&m kit he brought me.

Anyone else had a bad converter do something like this? Something else?

I value your thoughts and feedback…

Cracked flex plate would be my guess. Did you use factory bolts?

That would be my thoughts as well, he’s telling me no. No clue what bolts he used, I’ll find out tomorrow I guess. I’ve only ever heard of this happening with a flex plate or bolt issue. But the in park only thing got me. So I was curious if anyone else had ever heard of a converter or something else doing that, aside from the above.

Maybe as simple as a linkage adjustment! Was the car in the air or on the ground. I like the recipe though and much like mine!

if in the air maybe skipping over the parking prawl.

I did loose a converter once, but it was a heavy rod or main bearing noise sounding until moving above 15MPH!

I got "Dragged" on a FB page once over someone having this issue, or shall I say they thought they had.... My suggestion was in relation to the parking Pawl, and if it had the incorrect rod '904 instead of a 727' and/or if the adjustment was incorrect. As in it never really gets completely in park.... just close enough to catch alittle on flat ground. The point I was making is that you can actually engage the parking pawl and still be enough in reverse that it will direct fluid flow.... thus making a horrible sound and allowing the car to roll as well as send power for reverse. If the car is on jacks you can safely inspect this....

He’s driving it, 1969383s, I’ve not heard the sound yet. On yours you said until above 15mph, that’s what has me stumped thinking about it. He’s saying only in park. Any other selection it goes away. It’s probably simple and I’m over thinking it which I do often. I will check that linkage though, he was saying something about not being able to go into first position because of the way he had to bend the linkage to work on the column shift. I built it, he installed it. We will see I guess. I’ll report back my findings. That way if someone else runs into something similar.

Thanks guys.

I’ll keep that in mind Austin and see what’s going on. I re used the parking pawl that was in it. Assuming it was native to the transmission. But I’ll check for any movement in park for sure.

Sprayin73 said:

He’s driving it, 1969383s, I’ve not heard the sound yet. On yours you said until above 15mph, that’s what has me stumped thinking about it. He’s saying only in park. Any other selection it goes away. It’s probably simple and I’m over thinking it which I do often. I will check that linkage though, he was saying something about not being able to go into first position because of the way he had to bend the linkage to work on the column shift. I built it, he installed it. We will see I guess. I’ll report back my findings. That way if someone else runs into something similar.

Thanks guys.

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Sounds like you have some thoughts and yes seeing and hearing is the best answer. My broken converter happened at the track and was not a tick but heavy banging like bearings! Only after the attempted drive home did I notice it went away above 3800 stall speed! At that point I figured the motor is fine and keep above stall speed until home and tranny removal!

My guess is linkage related!JMO but sure you will figure it out!

My humble and hopefully prediction, is the car side of the equation. I bet as soon as you disconnect the linkage push it fully in park the noise will disappear. I hope so anyway.

I bet that was a sick feeling limping home like that. Thanks for all your thoughts guys. It’s making me feel a bit better about it that we all have the same thoughts as to what it could be. Means it’s probably something simple and over looked during the install. A quick fix is my hope. I never used that brand of converter, and I’ve never used B&M for the shift kit, only Fairbanks or trans go for the kit so it had me worried. Beings it’s a buddy, if it’s my fowl up, it’s my dime to fix it. Just how I am.

Sprayin73 said:

I bet that was a sick feeling limping home like that. Thanks for all your thoughts guys. It’s making me feel a bit better about it that we all have the same thoughts as to what it could be. Means it’s probably something simple and over looked during the install. A quick fix is my hope. I never used that brand of converter, and I’ve never used B&M for the shift kit, only Fairbanks or trans go for the kit so it had me worried. Beings it’s a buddy, if it’s my fowl up, it’s my dime to fix it. Just how I am.

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I have not used those components per say! I prefer transgo kits but my converter was sorta a B&M. It is a chevy Vega 9” built by an ex B&M employee.

Quick cut the red wire.....

Sorry no help

Get it.... Ticking like a bomb.... You always cut the red wire and the ticking stops

I crack myself up!

AustinGriggs said:

My humble and hopefully prediction, is the car side of the equation. I bet as soon as you disconnect the linkage push it fully in park the noise will disappear. I hope so anyway.

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like we both said! Do not forget to check all the linkage bushings as well.

I have never heard a 727 make a simple ticking noise in park but can only imagine what may cause it.

Don't converters swell under pressure (hence need for flex plate) and if in park there is no or verry little pressure, the converter might be in a different spot mechanically as compared to the trans case and be touching something etc.

Maybe in neutral (and all other gears) the converter has a little more pressure on it then in park and moves just enough to not be touching something on the case

Just a thought.

Dana67Dart said:

Don't converters swell under pressure (hence need for flex plate) and if in park there is no or verry little pressure, the converter might be in a different spot mechanically as compared to the trans case and be touching something etc.

Maybe in neutral (and all other gears) the converter has a little more pressure on it then in park and moves just enough to not be touching something on the case

Just a thought.

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Am I wrong or is the pump not pushing fluid to the TQ in Park!

I have the drain back issue, and always pop in neutral before applying reverse or forward gears after a week sit or more!

If going from park to reverse the old girl never likes it! I have always assumed it was due the mods with the TF-2 kit.

I had a similar issue and discovered the bolt I used to attach the two support struts (that go from the engine to the transmission) was too long and was just barely nicking the heads of the flex plate bolts. This was on a 1962 Fury 318 engine.

Alright, apologies for taking so long to get back on here and post the findings. As it turns out, the converter drain plug was the culprit. Under a load the flex plate would flex back just enough for it not to make contact. In park with no load it would continue to hit. Simple fix all is well. Thanks everyone for the moral support.

Glad it was that simple.