904 Transmission, no 3rd gear shift.

[CudaFactHackJob]

Okay thanks, I would appreciate it. I'm trying to compile info on case and vb differences. I see in the vb pic that it seems to have some sort of PTK add-on; not the usual larger casting I usually find. All of the vb/cases that I have encountered that have that "arrowhead" shape right in front of the rear servo have not had PTK.

 

[C2ndLTpigeon]

Well I don't think I have to do much explaining with the picture below, I guess I did mess up with the clearance to the point where I must have forgot a clutch and steel and there was no way that that was going to engage. It was only the second transmission that I've ever messed with so I guess it's a learning lesson. Other than that there's nothing else wrong with the transmission I can just install another clutch and Steel and this one can be back up and running as a spare.

 

[CudaFactHackJob]

Ya, like I said, either end play or clutch clearance. That's a ton of clearance tho, surprised you had any third or reverse without a delay and ruff engagement. Air test both drums on the pump in a vise.

 

[C2ndLTpigeon]

It had reverser which is surprising but it was a little rough but no delay. I think I was too busy looking at the manual diagram following that the drum takes 3 clutches when the later transmissions started having 4 clutches. Good learning lesson to pay more attention.

 

[CudaFactHackJob]

It might just be an optical illusion, but that drum looks like it would take more than just one steel and one clutch to make up the difference. I put thin reds in all dirrect drums anyway, so checking clutch clearance is mandatory (more mandatory?). Clutch clearance dimensions are sometimes hotly contested, so no way should anybody be relying on anything other than a feeler gauge or experience and feel. How many clutches a drum will take is like how many quarts a trans will take...

 

[C2ndLTpigeon]

I had an extra clutch and steel from the rebuild kit I used in building the 904 that is working in my car as it only took 3 clutches and they gave me 4, and threw it in the drum with the big gap, and buy doing that it is now the gap with the wavy ring is in factory spec...

 

[CudaFactHackJob]

Always match frictions in direct drums. The odd one will wear out; even if it's stronger than the rest. What was the end play? Shoot for .020 to keep that direct drum from wobbling. Wobbling wears out the rings and eventually they will score the inside of the drum. Then it's junk. Are you measuring clearance from the inside of the top of the waved ring? If you presoak the clutches, it will throw off the reading. Air testing will squeeze out excess fluid and give a more accurate measurement.