Good OC Trans shop

[NSdartSW]

I finally had the time and energy to pull the 904 out of my car for a rebuild today. I’m now looking for a good shop to take it to. I’ve chatted with a few members in the Orange County area(Cali) and wanted to see if there’s and good recommendations to a shop to take it to in the Orange area.
Thank you,
Noah

 

[vames]

Try Westminster Transmission in Westminster (they rebuilt my 904) or Cress-O-Matic Transmission in Hawaiian Gardens (Bill is highly experienced and runs a great shop).

 

[NSdartSW]

Try Westminster Transmission in Westminster (they rebuilt my 904) or Cress-O-Matic Transmission in Hawaiian Gardens (Bill is highly experienced and runs a great shop).

Great thank you very much

 

[Woods74]

Best place is in your garage for the tear down. Super easy money.

 

[RustyRatRod]

If you EVER tear one down you'll ask yourself "why haven't I ever done this before?". It's that easy.

 

[NSdartSW]

Really, is it that easy? I’m worried I’ll do it myself and it’ll come out worse. I don’t quite fully understand the black magic of the auto trans, may be a chance to learn?

 

[Icetech]

Really, is it that easy? I’m worried I’ll do it myself and it’ll come out worse. I don’t quite fully understand the black magic of the auto trans, may be a chance to learn?

It's honestly super easy.. and you don't need to know how it works. although it's nice to know.. check for worn parts.. replace worn parts, check clearances.. assemble.. the first time is stressful but it feels soo good when it works...

And if it doesn't work.. you are out a few hundred bucks and a few days time.. it's worth learning. buy a rebuild kit from A&A trans... and there are 2 trans books to get.. one is from tom hand i think... and the other is.. umm... by someone else.. sorry long day

At the end of the day it's just fluid being routed to different clutches/bands.. nothing too hard.. was the trans slipping or not working at all?

 

[Icetech]

I don't have that second one..i should get it

View attachment 1759269646773.webp

 

[NSdartSW]

was the trans slipping or not working at all?

It worked ok before the 318 gave out and once we got the swap done and good enough for a test drive dropped it in gear and it did nothing any gear it wouldn’t even try to move. However neither my dad nor I could remember if we made sure the converter was full so it could just be that but I figured I have it out and it seems untouched and it’s nearing 60 years old so I might as well get it rebuilt.

 

[Icetech]

It worked ok before the 318 gave out and once we got the swap done and good enough for a test drive dropped it in gear and it did nothing any gear it wouldn’t even try to move. However neither my dad nor I could remember if we made sure the converter was full so it could just be that but I figured I have it out and it seems untouched and it’s nearing 60 years old so I might as well get it rebuilt.

It's amazing how well they hold up sitting for decades, mine sat for 47 years and was fine.. i figured it would be junk.. if you didn't seat the converter, you could have hurt the pump.. it's like 5 bolts to take it apart to see (the pump itself)

 

[NSdartSW]

What would I be looking for in a hurt pump?

 

[NSdartSW]

I also changed out the filter before the engine swap and there was a little bit of clutch material in the fluid, not sure how much is normal but I figured it wasn’t enough to cause worry, should’ve taken pictures of it just to keep and have record but hindsight I guess.

 

[Icetech]

I also changed out the filter before the engine swap and there was a little bit of clutch material in the fluid, not sure how much is normal but I figured it wasn’t enough to cause worry, should’ve taken pictures of it just to keep and have record but hindsight I guess.

on the pump are 2 tangs that stick out that go into the slots in the front of the converter snout.. if you bolt it all together and jam it up, it breaks those teeth off, you can see that with taking the trans apart..

With the trans apart the pump is just held together with 5 bolts (i think 5) and you just check for scoring/wear.. normal stuff.. all he shafts have rings on them to seal fluid in and direct it into ports, one of those could be broke.. lots of things, you just go through 1 section at a time and check everything.. the first book i posted shows it all in good detail..

And some black stuff in the filter/pan is normal. mine ha it after 2 mins of running.. freaked me out

P.S. i'm typoing a lot of words on this mini keybaord.. just realized i put tanks for tangs... soo.. if you see something that doesn't make sense..it's just me

 

[NSdartSW]

If the pump is hurt some way is there a way I can sort that out or no?

 

[Icetech]

If the pump is hurt some way is there a way I can sort that out or no?

yes.. grab a trans off facebook for $50.. or buy a new pump gear from A&A or Cope... plenty of parts out there.. i have a couple of spare trans just to scavenge from in case i need stuff..

 

[Icetech]

or even just ask on this forum.. guys have parts all over. main thing would be to look at it first...

 

[NSdartSW]

Ya of course that makes sense, thank you for the help I appreciate it.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Really, is it that easy? I’m worried I’ll do it myself and it’ll come out worse. I don’t quite fully understand the black magic of the auto trans, may be a chance to learn?

Yes. It is that easy. I would get two books. The ATSG service book for Torqueflites and Tom Hand's book. With both those, you'll be a Torqueflite expert right quick. Tom Hand's book is more about the 727, but the two are so close, one is really about the other.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I don't have that second one..i should get it



View attachment 1716461687View attachment 1716461685

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Yeah. LOL Both of those ^^^^^^

 

[NSdartSW]

I decided to take it to the pros. Literally just finished talking to Joe at Westminster trans, they’re awesome super knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks for the recommendations and help.