727 is knocking on Heaven's door...

[BradyB]

I need the truck as transportation (motorcycle as back up) and some time soon I'm going to need a cheap option to fix my tranny.
The 727 in my truck is going ('70 383/727 2wd), it still behaves well most of the time but loaded up with motorcycles it has been slipping up hill on the freeway. I'm sure the bands and clutches are just about worn out. It would down shift to 2nd then try to shift back to 3rd and get hung up in between.

Super Cheap option #1:
I've got a possible replacement but it is a 727 out of Scout with a D20 transfer case still bolted on, no idea what the bell housing bolt pattern would be off a IH 345. Could I swap the tail housings and bolt it right up (yeah right). Or should I swap the guts from one tranny to the other?


Sort of Cheap Option #2
Should I become a truly manly man using common hand tools in my garage and attempt to rebuild the original 727 myself?

No so Cheap option #3
Get a dam overdrive finally. The only thing I don’t like about the truck is the missing OD. I know there isn’t a solution for mating a 383RB with an OD tranny but it sure would be nice. Any new developments mounting an OD or a modern manaul with a double OD like a Tremac T56? Looking for junk yard specials here.

[Rodger]

Brady

1A ... Only The Guts of The Inter-National Unit is the same as your Dodge Truck Unit.

2A ... NAPA has what you are seeking in "an Premuim Re-Build Kit" # ATP 1-6034.

3A ... Good Luck




Rodger & Gabby
FltSgt@msn.com

[Hobcobble]

Sub Option: Pull the tranny and take it to a shop.
John

[runcharger]

The 727 is easy to rebuild but if you haven't done it before and need it in a hurry I agree with lining up a guy to do it and bring him the trans. He should be able to get it back to you the same day for reinstallation.

Sheldon

[Myascape]

Agreed. I don't even attempt to pull the trans anymore. I'd suggest taking the truck in and let them remove, fix, and install especially since there could be a warranty issue. Some checks I'm willing to write, and often the best tool in the toolbox.

[digdoug]

If you don't have an external tranny cooler,get one. I had the same problem with my w200 ,383/727.I put a large factory auxiliary cooler on and got another 2 years out of the tranny .It never did fail completely,I just found a cheap replacement with low miles.

[BradyB]

If you don't have an external tranny cooler,get one. I had the same problem with my w200 ,383/727.I put a large factory auxiliary cooler on and got another 2 years out of the tranny .It never did fail completely,I just found a cheap replacement with low miles.

It shifts great when it's cold. It only show signs of wear when it heats up, not quickly changing gears. I did instal a new big block Aluminum Radiator to finally get the engine to run cool but I assume the transmission fluid line running through the bottom isn't getting much of a cooling effect.

If I installed a big aux tranmission cooler do you think it will buy me another 5,000 miles for another year or two?

[BradyB]

Locally it seems to be about $800-900 for a rebuild, more than half the value of the truck....

[Hobcobble]

If I installed a big aux tranmission cooler do you think it will buy me another 5,000 miles for another year or two?

For the price of an aftermarket tranny cooler and a membership
with AAA, it might be worth trying your luck. As for how many
miles you'll "buy"...... that's anyone's guess. Keep your cell phone
handy..... along with that AAA card. Did you
do a fluid and filter change recently?
John

[digdoug]

If you don't have an external tranny cooler,get one. I had the same problem with my w200 ,383/727.I put a large factory auxiliary cooler on and got another 2 years out of the tranny .It never did fail completely,I just found a cheap replacement with low miles.

It shifts great when it's cold. It only show signs of wear when it heats up, not quickly changing gears. I did instal a new big block Aluminum Radiator to finally get the engine to run cool but I assume the transmission fluid line running through the bottom isn't getting much of a cooling effect.

If I installed a big aux tranmission cooler do you think it will buy me another 5,000 miles for another year or two?

I cant give you any guarantees. I am just saying that my truck was doing the same as yours. It worked great in the winter.In the summer (summer = 100 degrees on the trip up the hill going home) when I would haul or tow anything up the Lewiston hill(7 percent grade 7 miles long) it would shift to second and would not shift up until it cooled down.This truck was driven daily @ 40 miles round trip including that grade for two years without trouble after I put the cooler on the same tranny that was failing without one.

[BradyB]

That sounds just like the issue my truck has.

Should I get a large cooler and just put up in front of the radiator? Did you use threaded fittings or hose clamps?

[digdoug]

The one I used was from a 71 w200 .It was @12" tall and @ 24"wide. It came with hard lines,brackets and everything. It mounted right in front of the radiator spaced @ 1/2 " between cores.