MTSC - 1959, Volume 13-1 The A-904 Torqueflite Automatic Transmission Chrysler is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC. Master Tech series training manuals and videos are the property of Chrysler LLC.
I had a '68 AMC Javelin with the hideous Warner M12 automatic and 343 V8 engine. That trans pooched and the engine had worn cylinders and a drinking problem. So I swapped in a '77 304 and a 74 A904 that Chrysler was selling AMC at the time and to boot a " Trans Go " shift kit. Never had so much fun with a drive train combo. Could chirp the tires in the 2-3 shift and it sipped gas. It did so largely due to the 3.15 ratio rear end, but the drive train was bulletproof.
I rebuilt a few of those back in the day. Very lightweight, if you wanted a hot rod you'd get the A-727. I sure wished they'd left the drain plugs in the torque converter and the pan. No matter how careful I am I still get a puddle of ATF on the floor.
@demetri kavoukas That would be the A-727 which was used on all cars with B or RB engines. The A-904 was used only on cars with G, RG, and LA engines. There were some special cases as some Slant Six trucks and LA 340 and 360 cars used the A-727.
As a former Chrysler technician, nice to see they continued the corny acting well into the 2010s. Only now with color photos with a guy pretending to work on a car with not a drop of dirt or grease on him and a freshly cleaned uniform
I like how they did not change too much. My lady got a 1986 Fifth Avenue with the 318 and 904. I think I am missing the drain plug and not sure if I got a converter drain bolt but I have no way to check without dropping the trans me thinks. What a cool old video to see how them old transmissions were made. My old lady's Chrysler has about 200k on it, doesn't use any oil but the car is kind of falling apart haha even still it will out last all these gen III hemi junkers. Its still running original power steering pump and alternator, trans motor rear end everything. I did some small fixes to the vacuum and air pump has gone bye bye but other than that its about 95% all original
lol They aren't referring to Chrysler Imperials, but imperial (UK) measuring systems. One US quart = .83267 "Imperial" (UK) quarts. Kinda like comparing to metric. Same amount of fluid, just measured differently.
I've had 5 vehicles with 904's and 4 out of the 5 failed in normal driving. On three of them 3rd gear suddenly went out and one lost reverse. I've also had several 727 torqueflites which were problem free. All the 904's were mated to 318's.
+orange70383 Yeah, I'm surprised the 904 was around back then. I though Mopar was all quality. I've had a few 904s. I've had a 727 too. Still have that one, but the car hasn't run in years. I don't want to run it. But the 727 could go for a lot longer. Why did they ever make crappy stuff like the 904?
The 904 was actually a great transmission. The problems started when Chrysler put that transmission behind engines it had no business being behind. If only it had been left behind the six that it was originally designed for, it would have been fine. Ford made the same mistake with the C4, and GM made the same mistake with both the TH200 and TH350. American companies always cheap out. That's why American industry is in trouble now.
These actually had a better sprag(one way clutch),held rear planet for low gear(takeoff), These were called "Baby Torqueflites", But in most trans builders opinions they were better than 727 longevity wise!. 727 had a problem in several areas,clutch material flaked off BAD!,Rear band(reverse&engine braking) broke frequently,reverse servo broke,Non Hemi case need sprag replaced with bolt on type those sprags would NOT take neutral slams or a lot of HP suddenly....SNAP..GImive me a 904 everytime!.
I just bought a full size giant 1978 Chrysler Newport,,360 CID engine,,V8,,. I was surprized Chrysler used the 904 transmission ! My mechanic was surprised too. Does anyone know why Chrysler cut corners back then?
one among several reasons was smog regulations were starting to kick in about this time thus causing engines to have reduced horsepower which allowed the use of the somewhat weaker 904 versus the 727
@demetri kavoukas normally it had a 727 or TF8 behind those 383 or 440's I had a 1968 dodge charger and it had a TF8, of course, I really miss that car
