RE: Rock On
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From: edmonton alberta canada
RE: Rock On So for a little history .... This is a 1979th400 that I rebuilt for my car using the following parts:
Generic cheap rebuild kit
TCI Reverse pattern manual valve body
otherwise all stock internals minus the mods neccesary for the valve body.
car was a roughly 550 rwhp turbocharged ls1 in a 3100 lb mustang. drove nice for roughly 1500 km and 25-30 track passes all in the 130+ mph range and NEVER once felt it slip. Always did my burnouts 1-2-3 I now know this is wrong but at the time did not know any better. one day after doing a large 1-2-3 burnout on the street the trans started to "whine" a little bit and shortly there after roughly 50kms or so it lost 2nd and 3rd gear and reverse was kinda hit and miss but first gear worked fine to limp it home. I dis-assembled the trans expecting to find a blown up stock 16 element ramp style sprag but instead I found some other broken bits ....
If anyone can tell me something I did wrong in the build or something that could have caused this and what I should check out on re-assembly I would GREATLY appreciate it - thanks neil
Generic cheap rebuild kit
TCI Reverse pattern manual valve body
otherwise all stock internals minus the mods neccesary for the valve body.
car was a roughly 550 rwhp turbocharged ls1 in a 3100 lb mustang. drove nice for roughly 1500 km and 25-30 track passes all in the 130+ mph range and NEVER once felt it slip. Always did my burnouts 1-2-3 I now know this is wrong but at the time did not know any better. one day after doing a large 1-2-3 burnout on the street the trans started to "whine" a little bit and shortly there after roughly 50kms or so it lost 2nd and 3rd gear and reverse was kinda hit and miss but first gear worked fine to limp it home. I dis-assembled the trans expecting to find a blown up stock 16 element ramp style sprag but instead I found some other broken bits ....
If anyone can tell me something I did wrong in the build or something that could have caused this and what I should check out on re-assembly I would GREATLY appreciate it - thanks neil
Last edited by GEARHED; Mar 14, 2008 at 02:56 PM.
hey Inferior plate replace and set up stack, put it back toget and look at line pressure...you got a boost spring with your valve body, use it , look at your pressure when you've got it together 300 psi is,nt un common for performance build while your there dump the cast rings, they don't like high pressure...hope this helps..Dave
hey theres nothing in your pics that indicate high pressure, These parts are pushing over thirty years use, build up the unit and reinstall, this plate breaking is common. Don't get confused with cast iron parts vs. alum parts. These units will handle 300 psi where the 60e's won't. Thats what makes for a good hard launch, but i really doubt you have a hi pressue problem. Hope this helps Dave
I don't care what unit your running. 300psi is way to much pressure. For a 400 175-225psi is more than sufficient. To the original OP. As mentioned a pressure test is not a bad idea. Might want to check your boost valve sleeve in the pump. Make sure that it is not worn. I know in a 4l80e pressure spikes from a worn boost valve have been known to break pistons, drums and pressure plates in the direct circuit. Might be something to consider. theres nothing in your pics that indicate high pressure, These parts are pushing over thirty years use, build up the unit and reinstall, this plate breaking is common. Don't get confused with cast iron parts vs. alum parts. These units will handle 300 psi where the 60e's won't. Thats what makes for a good hard launch, but i really doubt you have a hi pressue problem. Hope this helps Dave
Yall still honoring the warranty that I never got from my tranny petering out 4 months after I got it? I did spend 2 grand and the next week I could not get ahold of ya.
Sorry, dont mean to hi-jack.
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From: D-F/W
Dave's back.
There really is no reason to run a pressure in the 300psi range on any unit I can think of. Even the highest H/P holding Glides won't see anything over 250 psi..... that's up to 2,500 h/p.
g
There really is no reason to run a pressure in the 300psi range on any unit I can think of. Even the highest H/P holding Glides won't see anything over 250 psi..... that's up to 2,500 h/p.
g
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Sure send it back to me ...BTW we never went anywhere...Hope this helps Dave
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Verdad Gallardo Get away from your desk, push the computer away, get up off your butt, go out in the shop hook up your dyno, (use a 400) hell use a 60E, put it in reverse read your pressure.... what do you get ???? 275-300 max line psi. Like I said 300 psi isn't uncommon in this unit... pressure didn't brake that plate.
The more clearance you have in a drum: any drum, the softer the apply. Of coarse if it's too big then you'll blow your piston seals out. The smaller the gap the fimmer the apply. If it's to tight you get bind up.
When your checking out theses plates, look for fracture stress breaks at each of the tabs, you'll be surprised how many are cracked, just purchase new ones, espically in the direct drum as this is an on and off clutch. Hope this helps Dave
The more clearance you have in a drum: any drum, the softer the apply. Of coarse if it's too big then you'll blow your piston seals out. The smaller the gap the fimmer the apply. If it's to tight you get bind up.
When your checking out theses plates, look for fracture stress breaks at each of the tabs, you'll be surprised how many are cracked, just purchase new ones, espically in the direct drum as this is an on and off clutch. Hope this helps Dave
Dave, you guys unhooked your phones and went underground.
I was not going to hold on to my broke trans and let the car sit untill yall decided to re-surface. FLT contacted me after hearing what happened and we worked things out and the car is up and running.
I tried to get ahold of you guys a week or so after I got my trans as it was leaking and I could not figure it out. I had take it to a dealership.
Then, ~600 miles and ~4 track runs (2 months later) 3rd and 4th went out and I was back to square one and ~2grand lighter in the pocket book. No warranty cause you guys were gone. Its really sad to me that this happened. Now that yall are/or getting back on your feet I would like SOME of the money back if all possbile.
I can get ahold of a tranny that is not in working condition and send it to yall if the you will rebuilt it since I did not get a warranty. But, its not the same one you sent me though as I had no choice but to send it out to be used as a core.
And to the original poster... Sorry for hi-jacking the thread a little.
I just dont like getting screwed over...
I waited for 5 weeks and then called up and said I want my money back as I will go somewhere else. They next morning a trans was sitting at my door step with fresh paint still on it.
I installed it on the car and it went out 2 months later and they were gone before that. So, I still have a bitter taste from the experience.
I was able to sale their shipping container for 75 bucks though. they did not even want that back.
I waited for 5 weeks and then called up and said I want my money back as I will go somewhere else. They next morning a trans was sitting at my door step with fresh paint still on it.
I installed it on the car and it went out 2 months later and they were gone before that. So, I still have a bitter taste from the experience.
I was able to sale their shipping container for 75 bucks though. they did not even want that back.
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I don't either.
Now it looks like we have a pissed off suspended sponsor taking shots at the ones who know what they're doing. That always drums up bussiness.
I picture dave out in the shop with a trans on a dyno
evaluating pressure readings, phone ringing in the background, blood pressure rising. 
Another heart attack...wasn't that the excuse last time..or was it the time before last.
Now it looks like we have a pissed off suspended sponsor taking shots at the ones who know what they're doing. That always drums up bussiness.
I picture dave out in the shop with a trans on a dyno
evaluating pressure readings, phone ringing in the background, blood pressure rising. Another heart attack...wasn't that the excuse last time..or was it the time before last. Im not sure what happened, I do understand that things happen that people cant control. But, I would just like an explanation and my warranty or some $$ back if he is going to be posting up on tech.
I am by far not a rich person and enjoy the hobby of working on my car and spend money on it when I have extra. And to get taken for by a vendor, at the time, really gets my blood boiling as I had to find another 2 grand again +, and now it cost me 4 grand + for a tranny.
I talked with him and his secretary several times and thought he/she were/was real nice hard working people.
I am by far not a rich person and enjoy the hobby of working on my car and spend money on it when I have extra. And to get taken for by a vendor, at the time, really gets my blood boiling as I had to find another 2 grand again +, and now it cost me 4 grand + for a tranny.
I talked with him and his secretary several times and thought he/she were/was real nice hard working people.
I'm not taking shots at anyone...I made a statement and a couple of your sponsors disagreed. I though this was a tech fourm? When ya talk tech do I have to get it cleared by your sponsors first? Wouldn't you rather have the facts, and not some mumble jumbo from a couple of salesmen?
Talking about clearances in your clutch pac. Blowing the lid off .....What a crock!!!
Send me what you got! I'll go through it and send it back. Under warranty..not selling anything here. PM me for a shipping address.
I'm not taking shots at anyone...I made a statement and a couple of your sponsors disagreed. I though this was a tech fourm? When ya talk tech do I have to get it cleared by your sponsors first? Wouldn't you rather have the facts, and not some mumble jumbo from a couple of salesmen?
Talking about clearances in your clutch pac. Blowing the lid off .....What a crock!!!
I'm not taking shots at anyone...I made a statement and a couple of your sponsors disagreed. I though this was a tech fourm? When ya talk tech do I have to get it cleared by your sponsors first? Wouldn't you rather have the facts, and not some mumble jumbo from a couple of salesmen?
Talking about clearances in your clutch pac. Blowing the lid off .....What a crock!!!
I hope this is not all directed at me... If I knew anything about transmissions, I would do it myself.
Like I said, I dont have the core anymore as I had to re-use it or pay more money if I held on to it.
If you really honor what you just said, I can get a core and send it to ya. Or, just save the time and give me the money that it would have cost to repair it in the 1st place.
I have nothing personal against you, I just feel that I got taken and I should get some of the money back or a trans of the same caliber that I payed for.
And no that other stuff was not all directed at you. Some other fellow was accuseing me of bashing your other sponsors. (salesmen, I know both and neither are tranny techs.)
I'm telling you to send me the core you have and I'll send it back built up to a level 4. You pay for the shipping here I'll pay for the shipping back.
And no that other stuff was not all directed at you. Some other fellow was accuseing me of bashing your other sponsors. (salesmen, I know both and neither are tranny techs.)
And no that other stuff was not all directed at you. Some other fellow was accuseing me of bashing your other sponsors. (salesmen, I know both and neither are tranny techs.)
That sounds awesome Dave... I will get one.
I sure hope you are not calling me a sales man! Got news for you, 18 year trans tech currently still active. Over ten of those years building high performance transmissions. Also your comment about 300psi is a reverse pressure reading not a forward pressure reading for the launch as you put it. I understand your point that this hi/reverse drum can see these pressures. But as far as the apply going into third gear you will never see 300psi in one of my units. Dave looks like you are here to take shots at the current successful sponsors. Good luck with that. We had I believe a total 3 of your unhappy customers that we helped pick up the pieces after you......well what ever. One of which purchased a level 5 from you that had 4 pinion planets in it. Also had used parts that you advertised as new. Failed hard in less than 500 miles. When he was at our shop from Arkansas he said he would really like to run into you some day. By the size of that boy I think you should go back to where you have been. Also do not claim to know me personally because you don't and never have. I myself would never associate myself or my reputation with you. I'm done with this.
Last edited by GEARHED; Mar 14, 2008 at 03:05 PM.
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That was a level .5
And I do my burnouts in reverse so my level 17 see's 377 psi all the time man.
Thats a free trans build from a core? Tough decision there, maybe he just wants that shipping box back that you sold, and a free core. Or is level 4 the filter change and new paint job 
Seriously if you did ship a core, get a level something back, when you sell it you're going to be the bad guy for selling a pos trans. What are you going to do with it?
And I do my burnouts in reverse so my level 17 see's 377 psi all the time man.
Seriously if you did ship a core, get a level something back, when you sell it you're going to be the bad guy for selling a pos trans. What are you going to do with it?