518 Question.........

[Tarr]

What years did the 518 come without the lock-up converter? How do the lock-up vs no-lock-up serve best in performance?

Thanks

 

[Max340]

I doubt the 518 ever came without a lockup converter. Even so, the lock up function only happens in 3rd and 4th, so using it to race won't be an issue. THis is particularly true if you put a switch on the LU and OD functions.

 

[lawndart360]

I am by no means an expoert, and of course this info is subject to corrections, but here is what I have gathered while working to switch my dart over to a complete magnum driveline.

The A500 and A518 are only generic descriptions, in simple terms the 500 being a A904 with overdrive and the A518 a A727 with overdrive.

The actual numbers yoiu are looking for 42rh, 444h, 46rh, etc, there are also endings in re.

The 4 describes number of forward gears, the seconf number is the strength, 8 for a diesel truck and typically a 6 in the A518 cases. The r referes to rear wheel drive and the lastly and most importantly is the H or the E. This refers to the method of lockup. E being electric and H being hydraulic. There are ways to make each usable in retro applications.

Long story short, you probably want a 46RH, which would be a A518 with hydraulic actuation of the lockup. If you do a search here there is a link to a transmission place with step by step instructions for making the hydraulic type work and be totally automatic (based on vacuum switches).

Again, don't quote me but I believe everything 1996 and after is RE and before is RH. They went electric lock up when they went to OBD II in 1996.

Hope this helps.

 

[375inStroke]

I disagree with above. The H is for hydraulic control of the shifting, and the E is for computer control of the shifting (E for electric). Either way, the overdrive and lock-up are always electric. By the way, I have an A-518 without lock-up. It came out of a '94 Van. The connector near the left rear has 2 pins for OD and 3 pins for OD and lock-up. These would both be RH transmissions, and I'm guessing more than that would be the RE transmissions, or maybe they use another connector for the shifting. Either way, you need an RH transmission unless you can come up with a way to control all the shifts electrically.

 

[Max340]

Nomenclature is as follows:

First: 3-4-5 = speeds forward

Second: 2-3-4-5-6-7-8 = Succession of power capacity. There is no actual rating attached to these numbers, as far as I have ever found. This is proven out when you find there were two 46RH variants, one for the 318, one for the 360. The 360 unit has one more clutch in the front drum.

Third: R = Rear wheel drive.

Fourth: H = hydraulic control, E = Electronic control.

The RFE transmissions are a new design, and thus should not be considered when looking at the 4 speed AT nomenclature. On the other hand, they are remarkably like the Allison in design, and might make a decent trans for a big block in a larger body than the A.

 

[JR]

I disagree with above. The H is for hydraulic control of the shifting, and the E is for computer control of the shifting (E for electric). Either way, the overdrive and lock-up are always electric. By the way, I have an A-518 without lock-up. It came out of a '94 Van. The connector near the left rear has 2 pins for OD and 3 pins for OD and lock-up. These would both be RH transmissions, and I'm guessing more than that would be the RE transmissions, or maybe they use another connector for the shifting. Either way, you need an RH transmission unless you can come up with a way to control all the shifts electrically.

Do you want to sell or trade it? I'm looking for one for my 53 Merc with a 360

 

[oldkimmer]

..................I have a non-lock up out of a 90 3/4 ton 2wheel drive......I can build it to ur specs..............kim...................