History What to do about my 727 Torqueflite..........a dilemma.

Some here know, some do not, the history of the rebuild failure of my Torqueflite.
Summer 2018 ...... broke, had it rebuilt in good time at a top respected shop. Was too
expensive but what ya gonna do? ($2100.00)
Engine, ('55 331 Hemi ) both had to be taken out together because of a stupid error I made in not putting in a bolt in tranny tail shaft frame support. (Thats another story). After reinstalling in late 2018 I put less than a hundred miles on it because of winter.
Spring/summer of '19 noticed a miss when above 2500 RPM.
Started the chase to find it.
Never did find it in '19.
Did find it this year finally. Rebuilt tranny at that point has less than 500 miles on it.
The miss was due to the coil getting to hot being mounted on the intake just behind the radiator which turned out to be a cooling dead spot (my guess). Replaced and mounted on the fire wall, all new MSD ign. and the miss was gone after many attempts to find it.
So now I'm really enjoying once again the joy's of my hot rod with less than 500 miles on the tranny. Then disaster once again. The rebuilt tranny took a dump, coming off the I-5 freeway, barley got it home.

So back it goes to the trans shop that did the work the first time. That was August 12th, this year. I still do not have it back, that was 12-1/2 weeks ago. The owner is a nice enough guy and admitted the mileage was not much but stated it was most likely line pressure, perhaps because of the front pump. He indicated it is not his shops fault this happened but we would "work something out on cost". ( me.... ) I feel it should not be any cost to me.
I have been to the shop in person at least 5 times asking what the problem is in getting back and he insists its parts N.A., that he is having a hard time finding them. Three weeks ago he said he just needed a front pump and a stator and had found them in Oregon, that he should have it back to me that week, which did not happen. Again
I went to the shop. This time the excuse was the shop that said they had those parts, did not have them and he was still looking.
Yet when going on line I see tons of parts for the Torqueflites listed.
I think he could be jacking me around and really does not want to fix it.
He will not allow me in the shop to have a look at what if anything has been done. Covid he says, protecting his employees. I have and ware a mask and practice social distancing religiously!!!
So here's my thoughts this morning.
The engine went to the shop with the tranny so he/they could install it to the engine with no mistakes.
I'll go get my engine and bring it home, leaving the trans with him. I've been looking at the Streetfighter Torqueflite on Summit for $1300.00 w/free shipping. I'll order it up, mate it to my hemi, install it in my '34.
File suit in small claims court for the $2,100 plus damages and he can keep
the failed one he has of mine.

I have strong witness to all this in my best friend who helped with car build.
So now the question arises about the reliability of the TCI trans out of Summit and how good they are. They are called a streetfighter and it appears the most of them are sold to the muscle car crowd. Any help here with this from you rodder type folks on this one.
Have any of you any knowledge of this tranny??
I have not by any means adopted this as my plan of action, at this point, and just wondered what you guys would/might do in my position?

 

Did the trans have a good reverse when you got it home?

 

Sounds like a plan to me... I am guessing that the Summit trans has a warranty? Taking the shop to small claims court will probably cost more than you recover. I would first go and get your engine before threatening them with a lawsuit, as it may get tied up in litigation...

 

I see both sides of the problem. Even though the mileage is very low, it has been two years since it was rebuilt. As a shop owner, you just can't warranty your work forever. I'm sure the Summit warranty has a time limit. Go over the limit, and it's your baby. I'm thinking from your post that you want him to repair it gratis. I believe that is the hang up and I don't know why he just doesn't tell you.

With that said, I used to teach automatic transmission repair. The 727 is one of the easiest transmissions to rebuild. I haven't tried to source any parts recently, but I don't believe they are that hard to get. Chrysler built a lot of 727's, so even used parts should be available. I just checked and front pumps are even available through Summit.

 

I would probably stay away from TCI if I were you. I won't get involved in bad mouthing them, but the last few transmissions built by them, that I have taken apart, before they were installed, had some marginal/questionable condition parts installed that I replaced. They were also not as clean as my transmissions are.

TCI's warranty is 90 days from date of purchase. Summit is not responsible for warranty claims/repairs. You are also responsible for shipping costs to send it back to them.

I would look into Turbo Action Transmissions, they are the ones who make the Cheetah manual valve body for Torqueflite, which is a really good piece. I would trust them before I would trust TCI. They will do full manual or automatic valve body models.

Another good one that I would trust is Coan Transmissions. Their transmissions are only built with manual valve bodies, I believe. I use Coan for torque converters on my high horsepower applications. Their converters are pricey, but you get what you pay for. Their transmission prices are pretty reasonable though.

Good luck, Bill

 

Maybe I missed it, but why would you leave the transmission with the shop? Take all your stuff or you'll never see it again.

Doubtful you'll get anything in small claims, and if you do win they can't make him pay it unless you keep paying the attorney to start attaching things and even then there's a point where it becomes getting blood from a rock.

 

I would be more worried about the shop having my motor. I would have already picked my stuff up and found someone else to fix the trans.

 

Not trying to throw a wrench into the works here but did you have the throttle pressure linkage hooked up and operating correctly. I don't know about Washington but torqueflite parts are still readily available here. I'd pick up all my stuff and have someone else look at it

 

My sympathies to your dilemma. The torqueflite as has been stated is a very simple trans. I would go get the engine and see if you can cut your losses. I'm afraid you'll find a small claims lawsuit less than worth it's time to do it. Even if you win the judgement, you will have to stay after it to no end to actually get a collection. If you can get your trans back, if you feel comfortable with it, get an overhaul book and get to it.

 

I have a TCI streetfighter in my Hemi Powered 32, haven't had any issues

 

I have about 30 complete 727 cores.

 

I bet I know where a dozen 727 pumps are right now within 10 miles of my house. I think the guys jacking you around. If you build that thing basically stock and put a cheetah manual valve body in it and a bolt in one way it should be good to go. I didn’t notice where you live but that should be easy peezy for any trans shop and it shouldn’t be 2100 bucks. If not, you can’t go wrong with anything from Coan engineering. Only race converter I’ll use.


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Get all your stuff back now !!

no clue on TCI transmissions

but one thing I do know is 12 weeks for a 727 is stupid!!! What is he machining all the parts for it ?

forget about small claims court, forget about your $2100 bucks ( hitch if your trans didn’t shit the bed isn’t a bad price for a rebuild ) but it sucks the guy is jerking you around now.

The fact he isn’t warranty it, but “ gonna make it right” without discussing anything with you and holding your stuff hostage for all this time has me worried.

get all your stuff back, tell this guy thanks but no thanks I’ll put a different trans in the car and be done with it.

sounds like it’s gonna go from bad to worse if you let any more time pass

 

If you paid for it with a credit card you may be able to get the charges reversed although it seems like it’s been a long time. I had a company rebuild an old tachometer for me and it never worked. Sent it back to them three times. I called my bank and they investigated it and got me my 165 bucks back.


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I rebuilt on the average of 2-3 727's a week in my shop. Out the door for $700-900 (dependant on the build)
If you did not have the throttle pressure linkage hooked up and adjusted correctly it will burn the clutches up in it. The shop should have told you about that and even questioned you about it when you had the problem with it.

 

^^^^

 

No on the first rebuild. When it failed it would slip real bad and then lock up between 1500/2000 RPM

 

In the early previous post he stated that he had a manual valve body in it, so no throttle pressure linkage (kickdown linkage) needed.

 

Yep, sounds like low line pressure.

 

It sounds like to me that the rebuilder is patting you on the back as he “f”’s you .

 

^^^^

 

Sounds like $2100 worth of education Larry. I agree with whoever said go get your stuff, tell the guy you're gonna go a different direction with your transmission. Yeah, your ass will burn for a little while, but you'll avoid a lot of bullshit and headaches.

 

I hope the reason he is not letting you into the shop is because your Hemi motor has disappeared. It sounds fishy, get you stuff back ASAP.

 

What they said.....sorry it has happened especially on a 727 which still basically endured into this century some 45 years since it first appeared.

 

Torqueflites and powerglides are the auto transmissions we learn on

 

Got your stuff back yet? I'd be getting it tomorrow morning.

You just had another expensive learning experience. There are a lot of them in this life. That guy is screwing you over.

Once you have all your stuff safely at home, get your 727 rebuilt by someone that will stand behind it. If nothing else, you will need it for a core..

I could have bought a an OD version of the 727 for around $1800 with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty (you will need a core trans to send back to them). I think the guy screwed you the 1st time. Summit is just a middle man collecting $$$ from you, if you buy a 727, buy it directly from the builder yourself, have it shipped to someone you know with access to a fork lift so they can get it off the shipping truck and put it in the bed of your truck. Gene

 

Hey Gene, leaving to get the Hemi in the next 10 minuets. Just the motor today and then the trans tommrow. I think the minute I tell him I'm taking the trans he will demand money and place a lean on the trans. I'm not giving him any money and if the motor was still there the lean would include the motor also I l fear.

I'll keep everyone that wants to be updated as to what comes down.
I figure on doing just what you suggest in getting another 727.

 

I will be waiting to hear how this comes out. I hope it ends in your favor.