Trans Howl

[Mariposa Mike]

I have a 1966 Charger with a slight howl on torque when shifting the three speed 727. Only on torque not when coasting. Did these transmissions have any noise when shifting when new or rebuilt. I believe the trans has around 110K miles and shifts well. Not particularly objectionable noise but concerns me something might be going bad.

Besides that, I have a FSM and there is no mention of a trans filter. Does it have one? I plan to find some Dexron II or equivalent to do a service and would like to have the parts in hand. Not sure what the parts store will tell me. Fluid looks okay but the pan gasket is leaking and I want to change that. I found it interesting that the factory owners manual that came with the car mentions no service is necessary for the transmission for the life of the car.

 

[Cranky]

The trans has a filter but it doesn't howl. The howl is probably coming from the rear end....and I have no idea what manual says no maintenance is required!!

 

[Dave6T4]

Trans will howl on low fluid level. Or possibly restricted fluid filter. Any parts store will list a filter for your transmission.

 

[Cranky]

Trans will howl on low fluid level. Or possibly restricted fluid filter. Any parts store will list a filter for your transmission.

In my experience, the trans doesn't howl but will 'whine' especially in reverse when the filter is clogged.......

 

[hofferwood]

Before you drop the pan.
Here's some advice, buy one of these. Stuff the suction hose down the dipstick pipe----until it stops, hits the bottom. Then pump it out into your drain pan. It works like a charm------NO MESS>

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082TNCJP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Don Frelier]

Here's some advice, buy one of these. Stuff the suction hose down the dipstick pipe----until it stops, hits the bottom. Then pump it out into your drain pan. It works like a charm------NO MESS>

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082TNCJP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just disconnect the supply cooler line and stick a hose on it. Start cold at idle and put it in neutral until it spits and shut it down. No special tools required.

The pump will cavitate especially when cold if the filter is plugged.
Never had a transmission "howl" that does sound like a rear end. They were quiet and smooth when working properly.
Post a video if you can.

 

[493 Mike]

Buy the good silicone gasket and drop the pan, change the filter, drain the torque converter, inspect the pan for debris, adjust both bands, and fill with Mopar ATF4. Any problems, let us know.
Mike

 

[Mariposa Mike]

This noise might be better described as a whine. And definitely not the rear end. Good to know it's not supposed to be there and that there is a filter. I will service this as soon as I recover from foot surgery. Right now I am "out of order". Since the converter can be drained too I will do that as well. The pan has been changed from original at some point. Has a drain plug and is deeper and chromed. Looking at other replies on oil it appears ATF 4 can be used but there were some comments that it might not be as good as the Dexron III. Which is harder to find now. Any feedback from users of the ATF 4 in a 727 appreciated.

As for the no maintenance I was quoting from the owners manual that came with the car when new. I don't have it in front of me so I cannot quote verbatim but I was very surprised to see no maintenance required. Neither the FSM or the owners manual said what trans fluid to use. But the owners manual did have information on motor oil and service intervals. Also searched both for wheel nut torque. Nothing. But....had a good tip on removing the R and L lug nuts that I had not seen before. That being remove the lug nuts by always turning in the direction to the rear of the car.

 

[Cranky]

This noise might be better described as a whine. And definitely not the rear end. Good to know it's not supposed to be there and that there is a filter. I will service this as soon as I recover from foot surgery. Right now I am "out of order". Since the converter can be drained too I will do that as well. The pan has been changed from original at some point. Has a drain plug and is deeper and chromed. Looking at other replies on oil it appears ATF 4 can be used but there were some comments that it might not be as good as the Dexron III. Which is harder to find now. Any feedback from users of the ATF 4 in a 727 appreciated.

As for the no maintenance I was quoting from the owners manual that came with the car when new. I don't have it in front of me so I cannot quote verbatim but I was very surprised to see no maintenance required. Neither the FSM or the owners manual said what trans fluid to use. But the owners manual did have information on motor oil and service intervals. Also searched both for wheel nut torque. Nothing. But....had a good tip on removing the R and L lug nuts that I had not seen before. That being remove the lug nuts by always turning in the direction to the rear of the car.

IIRC, the dipstick has what to use on it as far as what ATF to use but, I use ATF+4 in all of my cars including the newer stuff which is now pretty old. My newest vehicle is a 97 Dodge 2500 with a diesel. I don't count my wife's 22 Chevy since it came with her when we recently married....but I can't even find a dipstick on that thing.

 

[Mariposa Mike]

I have the 2004 Dodge 2500 diesel and use the ATF+4. Just want to be sure it's the proper stuff to use in the 727. Probably will work just fine. Been searching on line this AM for the gasket and filter and so far the only kit I can find with a rubber gasket is at O'Reillys. Have not checked NAPA yet but looked at Rock Auto and other on line MOPAR parts. Rock auto has a kit with a fibrous gasket which might be okay. But the rubber gasket might be better. Our 22 Toyota and 2023 2500 Ram with the 6.4 Hemi does not have a trans dipstick either. The beancounters saved .75c on those I guess.

 

[WileE]

Trans will howl on low fluid level. Or possibly restricted fluid filter. Any parts store will list a filter for your transmission.

In my experience, the trans doesn't howl but will 'whine' especially in reverse when the filter is clogged.......

VS.

 

[Rishi]

Besides that, I have a FSM and there is no mention of a trans filter. Does it have one?

The first few times I heard the rear-end howl (on deceleration) I was sure it was coming from the transmission, but turned out to be the differential. At least one of these experiences was from a failing U-joint. So it can be tough to distinguish one from the other. You may need to confirm your u-joints are in good order.

A deeper oil pan is supposed to include an extension to lower the filter (pickup) further down into the oil pan. I've seen an example of a do-gooder bolting on a deeper oil pan, but failing to add this extension. I found that under hard acceleration, the transmission would start sucking air, making poor shifts and complain with unusual noise.

So you've got some good tips in the other posts on what to look for, and which oil type to refill. As for your FSM, have another look for that oil type and filter. It should be in there.

 

[AR67GTX]

They can whine (at least in first) from a worn planetary. Most noticeable on mine at light throttle. A new planetary quieted it down when I rebuilt it.

 

[dvw]

If the needles in a planetary are worth you will most likely see steel ( magnetic shrapnel) in the pan. There was an issue with a valve buzzing in the valve body in very limited instances that required valve body replacement.
Doug

 

[Mariposa Mike]

I was kinda thinking about the valve body as well but was not sure if these transmissions had a normal howl. If I remember correctly a 1955 Olds I had with the hydromatic had a normal slight howl/whine. Of course it very well could be a dirty trans filter restricting flow. Appreciate all the thoughts/suggestions on this issue. At least I now know the transmissions were quiet so something is going on. Shifts are smooth so no issue there. Oops... Now I've done it. Invited the Gods to put a curse on me.

 

[RemCharger]

They can whine (at least in first) from a worn planetary. Most noticeable on mine at light throttle. A new planetary quieted it down when I rebuilt it.

This was my first thought reading the title.
Have seen a few do this. I kinda liked it.

 

[Mariposa Mike]

Rishi...I found the exact service info you posted n my 1966 Dodge service manual. Don't know how I missed that. And, about 20 pages later it shows pictures of the filter on a valve body. Read about the band adjustment too. I have an inch pound torque wrench so probably a good idea to do the 72 inch pound adjustment and back off three turns like the manual says. Really depends on what I find when dropping the pan as to whether this issue is with the filter or not.

Also, I looked in the Charger manual again about the automatic trans service. It is printed on page 32 and says verbatim...
IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Fluid and Filter Changes: The transmission fluid and filter installed at the factory will provide satisfactory service for the life of your car under normal use and service, and need not be changed. However if the vehicle is used for trailer towing, taxicab, police or other severe use and service, the automatic transmission should be adjusted and the fluid and filter changed after initial 36,000 and thereafter every 12,000 miles (see Trailer Towing Requirements in this manual).

!#*@&. And right there it said there is a filter. My reading comprehension abilities are in the toilet. Apologize making you look that up. Interesting that Dodge did not believe that regular service was needed under normal use.

 

[AR67GTX]

I think the life of the car was considered the expiration of the factory warranty. But the old Torqueflite was a pretty tough transmission.

 

[Rishi]

I think the life of the car was considered the expiration of the factory warranty. But the old Torqueflite was a pretty tough transmission.

I was going to say something similar. I'm guessing they didn't think people would still be driving these 500K miles and 50 years, later. It makes for a nice selling point, too. Okay, maybe 300K, but honestly, some of the ones I've seen in pick-n-pull over the years, sure looked like they had 500K on them.

 

[Don Frelier]

They will go 100k easy without a fluid filter change.