DIY Home Automatic Transmission Teardown And Refresh - Guiding A First Timer Through His Torqueflite 

I rebuilt one of those 20+ years ago. Prob the easiest and cheapest automatic I have ever done. IT was actually quite enjoyable.

I've done many manual transmissions over the years but, I'm just now getting ready to tear into my first automatic. It's a Ford C4 and I consider myself very blessed to have found an original Ford service manual at a swap meet about a month ago. The guy wanted $25 for it and I didn't even try to haggle with him, SOLD!

I appreciate that you didn't just slam it together for video's sake after you found that excess clearance. You nail home the importance of doing the job correctly.

That bit about taking it apart and putting it back together, not many will actually do that, BUT it is excellent advice

There is a channel called Precision Transmission that is a must watch for Automatic Transmissions if one is looking for tutorials from a Master. Good people and highly recommend. This man knows it all and if he doesn't know will find out. His son is just as knowledgeable if you could just imagine. Transmissions aren't his limit once you see his race car. Family operated too.

Do it right the 1st time. Delays are always a bummer. But, better a short delay vs. doing the whole job over again. I wonder if that plastic bushing you grabbed from the parts bin is throwing things off. May as well get a metal one if you gotta call the trans shop.

Its nice to see someone on the channel that has a good general idea of what they are doing and not a creepy weirdo.

8:35 there's a lot you can do for something you've never dealt with before. Cardboard is a big help ,draw a picture of the item on it and cut bolt holes and stick them in as you remove them one by one. Or use the part itself. For example,you could stick all of the pan bolts back in the holes in the pan. Stick the bolts back thru the front pump housing. Use a few different colors to mark bolts ,and around the area they go into if they are different lengths like old Ford water pumps. Have a big area for the teardown , remove one piece at a time and restack the parts back together on the floor. Tape and bailing wire is helpful to secure an item into something that you don't want to take apart yet, like a governor assembly for a trans ,or you want to hold your accessory brackets together with your cobbed up shims for belt alignment in the right places 😁 I generally do this at work , because a few minutes now helps reassembly go so much quicker. And the more you do that job and get confident at it ,then you can start to take away your "crutches" as you see fit.

727 best transmission ever made!!

Yep right on the outer edge of clearance with new parts I would have made the same choice to. I think they have thicker spacers you can buy in steps of two thousands or like you said a thicker snap ring very good video.

I would have ditched the wavy ring and tried placing another friction. The wavy is there to just dampen the shift , not as a spacer as stated . Those frictions should be @ .062 Another trick is also use a th350 snap ring and you could usually add another friction and a steel. Lots you can do . Wish it were Live, I could have walked you through , just modified a 46rh , added extra clutches and steels in the forward / reverse drums and over drive drums .

I hang transmissions by the bellhousing from my engine hoist to drain them, or I put it on my stand with the fixture I made to hold that particular type of transmission and let it drain. Its nice having it all easy to access rather than sitting on a bench. I have to admit the 727 and 904 are super easy to rebuild.

NOT a tutorial? NOT Torqueflite specific? NOW you tell me! Well now I've got my Corvair Powerglide tranny disassembled and spread out on the floor and nothing looks like anything Josh has pulled out yet... HELP...! JK, I've rebuilt a '66 727 and it was fine. That valve body is a piece of hydraulic art!

I welded a small plate to the center of the pan so I could put a 1/4 inch npt pug hole so I could drain it easier if I had to again. I used the same hole to put a temperature sending unit in it. I used long set screws and flange nuts to hold the pan back on seamed to make the gasket easier to line up under the car. The accelerated pedal pressure pin I put in backwards and it would not upshift. The pin looks the same size on both sides,but is not. Glad I put the drain plug in.

Recommendation, toward the end, they decided to get some parts. I completely agree. However, for a home builder such as myself, I recommend putting the thing back together while you wait. Less chance of dirt and debris getting in there, and less chance of forgetting how it goes together. This day and age the parts can take some time to get. Good vid UT!

They make different thickness clutch plates and steels for this reason. And you can order the plates in singles to get the clearances you need.

CRT and A and A Transmission are awesome to work with for all the mopar transmssion parts

Worked at a Ford dealership starting in 1987 till 2006 in the the last 10 years was rebuilding the E4OD and the C6 and the AOD. Had a acquaintance that had a trans repair shop. I rebuilt transmissions at home having a big garage with the necessities. You have to have specs for end play of the assemblies you need clutch gap specs and a map for those pesky check balls and on a valve body needs to be disassembled inspected and cleaned on a failure trans on a fresh up soak and check free movements of the valves. Tony the shift improver kits the better ones I have used Transgo they are the best very easy to use awesome instructions the thing is you have to have acess to specks I did and my builds no issues today no support all on memory and done on that front no way I could remember is what it is hell i rebuilt a 1957 Olds trans a weird duck front and rear pumps to push start and 2 torque converters stacked But I had the manual ran great.

If you can successfully rebuild an automatic transmission, you can accomplish ANYTHING. I've always been in awe with the people who not only know how to rebuild automatic transmissions, but know how to rebuild any make and type of automatic transmission!

Great to see you diving into a trans on the channel!! I'd swear it was you, in some magazine eons ago that gave me all those low/no buck torqueflite performance tips I've been using- 1) Accumulator spring- throw it away 2) Turn down the govenor weights 3)Use type F fluid, it's less "slippery", that's all that spendy name brand performance fluid really is... 4) Turn up line pressure These few tricks have elicited "you got a shift kit" comments a lot over the years!! Disclaimer: Obviously an actual shift kit will have different and better results, but for a budget build, those really help!!!👍

I used to rebuild transmissions back in thr 70s. I told people you could rebuild a tourqeflite with a pair of needle nose pliers and a hammer. One of the greatest transmissions ever ! And I'm a bowtie man ! The only thing bad about a tourqeflite was the trans fluid used to gell. A lot of people paid for a rebuild when they only had to flush the fluid and change the fluid. Also the valve body had rubber plugs you could pull out to make the tyranny shift harder.

I always made a mess. Loosening the valve body bolts to let it drain is a great idea. Never thought of that one. So simple. When you think about how long that 727 has been around and still kicks ass.... It's older than me.

Luv the slide hammer!!

when I would deliver parts as a kid to Transmission Shops ... Those dudes have Special tool's.. Yeah I'll pay ya ... I'm Stoked for ya Dude.. Get at it Brother @∅

It is often frustrating to do the job right. But the reward can be worth it.

My A12 had its trans rebuilt by a quality shop and I lost park. It’s been sitting for the last couple weeks waiting for me to take the tail shaft off to see what’s up. So it’s funny you posted this. I was told by many people that it’s not a scary thing to just look in there to see. If you can build the 440 race motor in your basement you can check the park pawl out!

Josh definitely has mechanical talent! My friend rebuilt the TH350 in his '79 Camaro, and he brought the case to a transmission shop to have it cleaned, and he said that the employees of the shop all came out to gawk at the guy rebuilding his own transmission!🤣 And Tony, can you point out that sprag to us, the one which self destructs when you do a neutral drop? Excellent video!!!

that star wars dude picks up on things very fast, hes got the stuff

I rebuilt a TH350 in my kitchen many years ago. It probably didn't need it looking back because it was from a granny car with like 60k miles, but i did it anyway "just cause". Still working like a dream.

Great video showing how to use the K.I.S.S. philosophy. Automatics are the one component I've never explored. Mostly because I almost never buy a car with an automatic, but also because I just never needed to open one up. My Father rebuilt a 727 out of his '68 Coronet R/T in the parking spot outside our apartment in Milwaukee on summer day. It was perfect, except for his adjustment of he bands...he burned them up in less than a few miles. Lesson learned.

I rebuilt one last year. Got the shift kit. So far so good. I had to adjust carb for the value pressure. After that it's been good.

Just for giggles I'd take it apart and reassemble just to make sure everything is flush and proper orientation. Maybe spin that wave C-clip around 180 to see if it settles into it's groove into a more acceptable fashion.

This is why I horde transmissions, I have found different thickness apply and backing plates from factory so when I get smashing different and more clutches in I have a way to work those specs in. Side note, I like to pull the stator out of the pump and check the internals for wear (and cause I deal with a lot of diesel stuff, make sure that it actually has a diesel pump in it.)

Do it right, or do it twice. Those specs are there for a reason and if it's out of spec (or nearly) then it ain't right. Could also take that time to find a metallic spacer ring instead of the plastic!

Chrysler made a few of these 727s here when I grew up.

I stack it all up just the way it was removed, replace parts and restack as i go then put it all back in just as it came apart except now with new parts. Torque fasteners to spec, no guessing. While I'm in there going to the trouble, I replace all the bushings.

Go through your old steels and see if there's one that's just a little bit thicker than the smallest new steel that would probably be just enough to close up the gap, it's okay usual steels as long as they're not completely smoked!

Toque Flight transmissions are the easiest automatic transmissions to rebuild, there is 1/3 less parts than others.

I learned how to rebuild one simply because I didnt have the money shops wanted and because shop wouldnt explain what they planned on replacing? I know they normally dont but I deal better knowing they are replacing all seals especially since they are included in the rebuild kit. Finaly met someone that rebuilt transmissions and had a transmission parts store. He even quoted me a more reasonable price to rebuild but by this time I was determined to do it myself. James politely tried to discharge me but hesitantly sold me a good rebuild kit and eventualy explained how to get the dang tailhousing loose. LOL UTG hasnt gotten that far so wont spoil it for others. Also the spag assembly some trans ate mirror image and can be installed backwards. Learned this on a dodge dakota. After rebuilding you put it into reverse and it hits realy hard it's a sighn its backwards.

Good Call Tony!

Ive watched precision transmission for a long time and Richard is the Transmission wizard.

It awakened in me a memory of a TV commercial for a Transmission company: a shade tree mechanic said "I always wanted to work on a Japanese transmission". Many years ago.

Been a very long time since I've been inside a T/F trans. Brings back childhood memories. You realize Tony, that you just triggered a small percentage of your audience at 4:45 when you suggested the bush replacment is optional, as long as it's ok. I can hear the screams now 🤣 Great to see this kind of video again, and that young fella is no numpty, confident and ready to get into it. Well done.

I have an A-999 that I likely will have to rip apart before long. It operates pretty well but it never wanted to downshift right while at highway speeds. When I first got the car years ago I was trying to peddle to the metal it up. Very steep hill and something made a very loud POP and bang near the driver's side of the floor board. From what I remember things with the kickdown happened after that. Also progressively getting worse is a loud squak-sqweal noise when I start the engine cold. I believe it is a bushing in the front pump. It started just doing it when the car sat for weeks and the temperature outside was cold. But if started in neutral it didn't do it. Then it started doing it when started in neutral as well even in the summer. And now it does it no matter what and quite loudly. And then even for a few minutes after starting if you rev the engine. So I know it's going bad.

Wavy snap rings: the earlier 727s don’t have them, they came along around 1970 or a bit later. They were a way to soften the shifts… as the clutch pack starts to compress, it meets the resistance of the wavy ring and starts to engage, then fully engages when the waves are compressed flat. It sorts does for a clutch pack what the accumulator does for the front band. I like to eliminate them from the front clutch and use a flat snap ring so the 2-3 shift is a bit firmer, but keep in the rear clutch so neutral to drive isn’t bone rattling.

I have 2 big block 727's sitting on my garage floor that supposedly worked when pulled. After watching this I think I have the confidence to rebuild one before installing it instead of crossing my fingers and hoping it works. Great video!

Just air check every clutch drum, make sure the pump body’s are good, triple check valve body gaskets if applicable, and throw a new set of pump gears in there if the body isn’t worn. To be extra safe vacuum check the main parts of the valve body. It’s super simple to make a vacuum tester and if you don’t have a pump you could, in a pinch, use manifold vacuum from an engine. Sonnax has a good page showing what your readings should be and where to test at. Sui Automotive has a good video on how to build a vacuum tester. These 727 are one of the simplest transmissions to take apart and easiest to rebuild. Not a whole lot of year model changes like in all the modern electronically controlled units. Sonnax also has diagrams showing where the feed orifice holes are in the plate if you want to for go a engineered shift kit. Also a couple turns counterclockwise on the PR spring definitely helps out. Don’t let line pressure get above 200. Also for clutch clearances you can use different thickness steels from the direct clutch and also there is different thickness clutches and backing plates. In a pinch you could also shave the clutch off on one side and stick to clutches together ect. Anytime you modify something like that watch for interference sometimes it’s not obvious and only will happen if a clutch is applied or when the gear train moves back and forth in the case. Good luck if you have a question I would gladly answer it.

I've rebuilt several transmissions over the years. To make things easier, find an old table and drill a big hole in it, enough to get the output shaft through so you can stand it up tail down for easier assembly, as well as things like the rear clutch. It doesn't need to pretty, just 2 sawhorses and a piece of plywood is way better than having to grow an extra hand to assemble things correctly. If they're cheap (

Automatic transmissions are Voodoo and Hokum.

great working with him! and being slow and methodical!! it makes it all work !! good jobTony!! great video! great channel! watch it all the time!! keep it up!!

Use paper towels while cleaning and assembling trans. Cloth towels have fibers that won’t dissolve. Paper towels will.

Another great video that even we non racers can use! Thanks, Tony!

From my experience, with something this complex, and if it were my first time doing it, I wouldn’t throw away any gasket without carefully matching it to what was in the rebuild kit. But even this plan isn’t fool proof, as I later found a previous person had used the wrong gasket, so I repeated his mistake. If it’s a fits all rebuild kit with extra gaskets, look very carefully.

I always wondered what those bands looked like when they're in. I work a parts reman company and reline those bands all the time.

i'v seen it before though i'v never done it, you could try to take a 3rd gear clutch and put it in since they're a small bit thicker than the 1st gear clutches

I’ve rebuilt a manual transmission a time or two, but automatic transmissions are like voodoo science to me….I think even transmission shops feel the same, since half the time, they fail after rebuilding them. Great video UTG!

love this giving me courage to try it myself

For decades the B&M trans kit was a right of passage. Rebuild kit that also provided crisp quick shifts.

REAL SPECIAL CLEANLINESS ,AND INSPECT ALL SEALING RINGS AND SURFACES FOR WEAR.

When I did my 46re te rear band was worn bad. I had to reorder it 3 times to get the correct one and I could only get it from Amazon fer some reason. Both O'Reilly and Napa could only get the wrong one. The lighter duty one. But I figured better wait till I found the correct one than try with wrong one. I did test fit dry until I had correct one then presoaked it.

This is very much in the FWIW category, because I am merely a viewer of lots of repair videos. This transmission has apparently NOT self machined bits of metal from its parts, contaminating every other part in the r transmission. From such a tranny you would not want to immediately go into reassembly of sub assembly mode, as you have in this video. Furthermore, I understand it is extremely difficult to get rid of such contamination in a home repair environment, so be careful there. And you might want to leave those seals in place until such time as the cleaned part is being reassembled. Some seals are the same size, but are really shaped differently. You need to be sure you have the correct seal for that part. I love this sort of thing and I thank you for presenting it. I think I want to get a core just to diddle with it for myself!

Great vid!!

If you like to tinker, you got it made.

I’ve always used Vaseline while installing the lip seals. Smear it on the lip seal and the drum, where the seal is going into.

It's in spec... The book says it's okay... But we're not happy. Yeah, that's most things I work on!

Best first transmission to try to rebuild .

Zip zip, He's zipping the modern way

Good call on the tolerance UTG 👍....

Usually the kits have different thickness clutches for the 2 drums but they are similar otherwise. I've interchanged them to achieve satisfactory clearances in this situation.

I was 18 when I did my broken borgwarner 35 trans out of ny VG Valiant. I had no choice because I could not afford to pay the $800 recon price. Seems I got it right and it never failed again. Didn't know to pre-soak the clutch plates though I was told the diaphragm (bellivule) spring should be replaced as a matter of course as they can fracture.

Good call Uncle Tony! Your on the wrong end of the clearance the way it is now. No wonder why it was leaking and slipping.

Glad to see you guys didn’t just send it.

Perhaps this is fortunate for us to know what to do when we have the same issue.

Atsco makes a good book for transmission rebuilds

You do this stuff in the time it takes me to button my shirt.

Steve Morris client injured by dyno engine explosion.

Things always go together better with Pabst Blue Ribbon. Send it!

Love the video, waiting on part 2.

aren't the wavy plates to soften engagement for old people?

This is the Chrysler turbo encabulator if you aren't familiar

50 thou is good, because what are you mesuring is the travel of the piston, and the piston easily can travel 100 thou. Check transgo instructions

use a 5:1 kick down lever or the highest ratio lever available to you

Just wanted to let you know I played the whole video at 2X speed. It was MUCH MORE entertaining!!

If you don’t have a slide hammer to remove the pump, put spacers in the holes that are threaded in the pump and thread a bolt in there to press the pump out. Has worked great for me, even on rusted up crap. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do this so maybe there’s a reason not to?

Finialy found tony doing some work. Hurray

Good job UT. If you don't have the time to do it right the first time, you'll find the time to do it right the second time.

Outstanding video. You are good teacher Tony

Excellent video, takes the "scary" out of a transmission rebuild.

It looked like Josh set the wavy ring down with the side facing away from him down, where everything else was set down as if it was falling out of the pack towards him... I don't know if that would make a difference, but I know about as much about automatics as he does.

Better safe than sorry

PlanZ!!

The man is a well of.Noledge that just keeps giving. I appreciate uncle Tony's time !! I have learned so much from this man.Just wish he liked playing with 4×4 's

On the positive Uncle Tony the junkyard jet guys how to wrench and I got to pass on some of his knowledge and they actually put a lot of it to use even though they didn't stay true to the spirit of the build or rather changed the spirit of the build I have to admit as a mechanic my mindset is in between Uncle Tony and the junkyard Jets my mentality is Right smack in the middle and I like watching both channels I have to admit as far as the new generation goes I actually like them a lot more than a lot of their peers

Love the stainless steel meat table Tony👌recycled from a failed vegan restaurant

Josh is one lucky guy to have someone like Tony teach him the ropes. I wish I had someone like that when I was a young man.

I will always check the big bushing inside the front pump that supports the torque converter snout, don't ask me how or why I always do this....

I learned basic disassembly of automatics, can't say I've done any field work on automatics

Will it get the Trans Go shift improver kit? Love the logo guy with a flat top haircut and eye glasses saying "Trans Go no Yo Yo."

Sometimes you have enough clearance to add another clutch and steel

Like 601. ❤️🥝✔️727 ✈️ Not That Threaded. The OTHER threaded...