Yankee Express RestoMod Project

[Brandy]

Taking apart the '73 valve body today to see if it too has been modified, and what condition the separator plate is in. Hoping it is undamaged.

 

[Brandy]

Here's the 73'. It has 7 check balls, no 3/8ths ball in the corner w/ spring. Does have the black filter sticking up. The body is plumbed differently in the fluid channels and the separator plate is different and in much better shape. I don't know how many sorts of valve bodies there are for '73-74' so I don't know if either of these is a stock one or one or both are modified. The '74 is /was behind a 440/6.

 

[Brandy]

more

 

[Brandy]

one more..

 

[Brandy]

Ordered the performance rebuild kit today and a 3.8 apply band lever. Turns out BOTH transmission separator plates have been drilled. Going to clean up all the springs tomorrow to see what colors they all are. Might be able to decipher what has been done. Regardless though, the new Red Eagle frictions and black Kolene steels will help plus the higher ratio band lever. I will be using the 4 pack clutches, 12 springs, hardened input shaft, heavy duty apply bands, the 4 pinion planetary, and the 73 valve body with the 7 check balls and filter, all new bushings and seals. Deep chrome pan w/ drain plug and magnet. 16" x 10" trans cooler in front of a 26" rad.

 

[Brandy]

I separated and cleaned all of the parts that are going in the trans I will be using. Next, on Monday or Tuesday when it's warmer i'll clean up the case. Kit should be here by then.

 

[Brandy]

Kit arrived.

 

[Brandy]

The new 3.8 ratio apply lever came today. I wonder if I now need a more heavy duty flat bar?

 

[Brandy]

Took the case to the car wash today..

 

[Brandy]

All cleaned up, dried up and buffed up. Ready for wipe down with prep and then paint.

 

[Brandy]

Taped up and holes blocked, ready for wipe down and paint.

 

[Brandy]

Got the speedo gear and housing, next up will be the sender...

 

[Brandy]

Painted.

 

[Brandy]

warm here for a few days so I got out there and began reassembly on the trans. I'm up to the part where the front pump is the next thing to go on. It went together pretty smoothly really. Almost forgot to soak the new frictions. The clutch packs slid on pretty easy and the frictions lined right up. The pump is still apart as is the valve body so I have that to do next before I can finish it up.

 

[Brandy]

more

 

[1967coronet440]

I got an old 727 I got for free I want to rebuild. How hard was it?

 

[Brandy]

I got an old 727 I got for free I want to rebuild. How hard was it?

Very easy. Don't know what I was worried about now. They are dead simple. You just have to do the due diligence and check end play and clearances when disassembling and putting back together. keeping it all in order and reversing the process is important. Cleanliness is paramount too. I got a book from Tom Handy the trans guru and it has been spot on and very detailed. The kit I bought has everything in it that would normally be replaced. Plus I went with new Red Eagle frictions and Black Kolene racing steels. I really comes apart mechanically in about 1/2 hour but you need to stop along the way and check a few things too. Taking pictures of everything as you go is great for when your putting it back together and forget something.. Checking for wear on all the surfaces is a must. Depending on what your going to load into it from the engine and your right foot there are several easy things to do to beef it up.

 

[Brandy]

Today I'm going to cut a hole in one of my tall chairs so I can set the trans in it. I want the whole assembly to be facing up so the clutch's and all will be set in snug when I put the front pump in. Also so it will be straight and not leaning. Pics later.

 

[Brandy]

I got an old 727 I got for free I want to rebuild. How hard was it?

Also I had another trans that I got for the long output shaft and tail housing. it had 4 pinion planetary's and a hardened input shaft. Also a 4 friction front clutch. I bought a higher ratio apply band lever too, 3.8 So I took the stout parts from the extra trans and swapped them into the one i'm using. They were a 73' and a 74' models. Both had the separator plates drilled for shift kits. the 74' extra one was out of a 440/4brl car. I did not use that case because it has a broken tab on the side. The 74' valve body had more check balls and a filter and so may be stronger than my 73' but I KNOW the 73' shifts like a champ so i'll be using it.

 

[Brandy]

Did the air pressure test for the servos today and they actuate fine. I installed the tail housing and gasket, cleaned up the bolts, the clip slot cover and speedo gear hold down and painted them all.