I have a 392 Hemi and a 727 torqueflite transmission. Is the 727 trans the best choice for a strong trans? I know Chrysler has a904 trans. Is this better?
727. The smaller light duty 904-998-A500 does not readily adapt to the EarlyHemi engines. The starter on the 904 sits about ½" higher than on the 727 and crashes into stuff. If you want to use the 904 you will need to do a one-off adapter and rotate the trans bolt pattern CCW and lower the starter. .
strong? 727 efficient? 904 cheap low gear ratio? 904 with the truck planetary 2.76 vs 2.45 first gears but a big drop to the truck's 1.54 second. It's a weaker planetary, but i never broke mine with 520 lb feet of torque, perfect traction, and 4100 lbs race weight. cl*** racing? 727 case with 904 guts. or for a few thousand more, 727 case with C4 guts. rick
What is the first gear ratio on the 1970 727 trans. I am using a 9" ford with 31x18.5x15 rear tires. I haven't decided on the rear gear yet. 4.11 or 4.30 or 4.56?
2.45 first and 1.45 second for both 727 and 904. the truck 904 got 2.76 first and 1.54 second my machinist sent me into Kansas City to a trans supply company to get the low gear truck planetary- cost me 75bux. but if you've got a 727, you're golden. That's pretty much a set it and forget it transmission. rick
Clutchflite is a 727 Torqueflite with the bell sawed off, and a clutch installed where the converter should be. 3 fingered spider engages the clutch fingers to drive the trans pump even at idle. Rev her up, dump the clutch and get brutal shifts. I've got one going in my Falcon and my buddy has the Clutched turbo 400 version mated to his turbo mod-motor in a 97 mustang. rick.
Back in the day Art Carr was the man for torqueflites. He's still in business but I only see chevy stuff on his website. He's who I'd ask. If he still answers the phone like he used to in the 60's.
Much depends on what you expect from the car/truck. Back in the 'old' days, MotherMopar used 3.23 as the standard ge****t with the 440 TF cars like the RR , GTX, SuperBee, etc. so moving up/down to a 4.1 or deeper will be a killer at the stop light but it will not like the freeway! I suggest you reconsider the gear and remember that the 392 is a big torque/low rpm package...it is not a short stroke small block. Play with this: http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/gears/gear_calc.html .
It seems to me that most racers use Powerglides. That makes adapters to GM transmissions relatively cheap and available used. That was why I used a Chevy blow shield to adapt the top loader to my '92. But I could have bolted a Turbo 350 - 400 or the later OD automatic. That's what I would do today if I was building a Chrysler.
Hey, Rick, just a quick question. This sounds similar to the "SlapStik" used back in '70 and '71. Is there, in fact, a general similarity, or is the ClutchFlite specifically a separate, racing-only animal? Thanks in advance for the edgy-cation, bro!
I also had a Clutch-Flite in my roadster at one time. It is a Torque flite with out a torque converter. Instead of the torque converter you have a conventional clutch and flywheel. This allows the engine to idle and run in gear with the car stopped. When you want to go you let out the clutch just like a stick car. After that it shifts like an automatic. As I remember if you put it in neutral after p***ing the 3 the rear wheels would lock up and you would be wearing your parachute.
Clutchflight is just a torque flight with a clutch in place of the torque converter. Up unltil about the turn of the century the slamm block 727 was the mainstay of the baby hemi crowd if you were going to run an automatic. A 727 is a good stout automatic, easy and cheap to overhaul. You can get about anything that you want adapted to the baby hemi now but if it were me I would go with the 727.
Slapstick is a shifter. The trans it's connected to would be a Torqueflite of one size or another. The clutchflite mod gives you a poor-man's Lenco- clutch drop launches and brutal shifts -no converter cushion, plus the valve body shift kit is typically full force shifts- I take the ac***ulator spring out instead of shimming it tighter, once that fills with fluid-there is no ac***ulator action. have to remember to come to a stop before going from reverse to drive- or vice versa, or you'll bang something apart. They. Are. Fun. rick.
I'll add one more thought. Personally I have no use for the gm swaps but as Rich points out there are folks that like them and use them although drag racers using 'glides is not germane to the question. If you are unsure which way to jump then consider what 'special' parts are involved (and the ease of replacement of those parts) and then look at whether or not the starter location is a factor. If all else is equal then look at the dollars and flip a coin. .
It is, check out my photo album: http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b311/root66/727CF/ Another alternative to an adapter is the Ultra-Bell, it adapts the 727 directly to the Hemi. http://racewithjw.com/
Maybe not the best option, but a friend once had a modified 392 with a Muncie trans. He used the combination for only about a year in his daily driver('65 or '66 Chevy!). But, it was used hard from time to time and it didn't break. I believe the adapter/flywheel housing was a Trans-Dapt piece. Like a lot of old speed equipment it required machining to fit correctly.
How about using a very rare Pont-a-Mousson 4 speed manual transmission that was introduced in the 1960 Chrysler 300F models? Very strong transmission for very strong engines.
Holy ****! I thought I was asking a pretty simple question. LOL. HUGE thanks, guys for jumping in with specifics!!!!! Then, d2 Willys mentions the Pont-a-M***oun, which actually WAS coupled to the '92 in some of the Facel Vegas, unless my memory has failed. I've heard the STD-VS-AUTO sides for decades, but this thread has been awesome. I'll vote a five star at the top of the page. And I hope it gets added to the tech archives. Thanks again.
I used a turbo 400 behind my 392 for a better fit in my 40 ford. An adapter is needed. Mine works well with my setup.
Look up TR Waters here on the HAMB I recon he can adapt a 904 auto trans to your Hemi http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=22793
Even if his adaptor solves the starter problem 73RR was talking about, in stock form the 904 is about maxed out with a 318. Sure he could spend money to get it to handle a 392, but why would he when he already has a 727?
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