Hello,

I fear that the 727 in my 1972 Charger may be on it's last leg. I have a 450Hp 440 and when I put the car in reverse it's very slow to engage and at higher RPMs the shift into 3rd gear slips to the point where the RPMs jump before it shifts.

So what would be a reasonable price to have the tranmission rebuilt by a pro? I am looking to have a shift kit installed. What else should I include?

Would I be better off buying a already built tranmission?

I guess I am looking for opinions on the best course of action.

Thanks, Jake

Jake -

Are you sure it doesn't just need a "band job" (meaning an adjustment) and possibly a flushing, vs a full rebuild?

Archer

Archer,

I am not sure what you mean by a band job. Just replacing the bands?

I did recently flush the system, replaced the filter, and filled it with B&M Trick Shift.

As an aside, what is the capacity of a standard 727BB with the stock pan?

Jake

You can adjust the bands.

And for a good kit, you're looking around $200 to DIY.

I got my 904 kit for $120 (which would be the same for the 727) but i got it at cost from Transtar


IMO, if it's never been over hauled, nows a good time. New clutches, new bands, new seals, new bushings, ect.

Jake -

First step would be to bring it to a reputable tranny guy who knows about 727s and get a first hand take. What you're describing may be as simple as a band adjustment and the kit blue mentioned. Hard to tell from her. I just don't like spending money when I don't have to.

BTW - did the tranny start acting up before or after the BM Trick Shift???

Archer

Archer and Blue,

The tranny was getting soft before the filter and Trick Shift. When I bought the car in March the history the transmission was unknown. The fluid was ok, but I figured I would change the filter and fluid hoping it might improve the reverse and 3rd gear softness. It didn't. Today it was really bad, I was on it pretty hard and manually shifting. When I shifted from 2nd to 3rd, the RPM jumped almost like it was in neutral and then it slid into gear.

I did find some good articles about adjusting the bands, so I will give that a try first. I may also try the kit Blue recommended.

But, let's say for the sake of arguement that I was going to building a 600+ Hp engine (I actually am). Would I be better off getting something like a TCI StreetFigher or getting the current tranmission rebuilt by a Pro locally?

Thanks, Jake

If you're talking an honest 600 HP you might want to give A & A transmissions a shout.

Its sounds like the front clutch pack is going, or at least that's what was going on with mine. Before I rebuilt it my self I priced it out to a few local yocals. Around 1,100 to 1,300 was the quotes I was getting, I couldn't afford that so I learned how to do it myself.

It will be an honest 600Hp at the rear wheels. Prepping a 440 block right now to be supercharged. Got a 671 blower and some other goodies. But, it will be 2 years before the new engine is in the car, building it slow due to cost.

So, whatever I do to the transmission, it needs to last the next two years and if I decide not to replace it when I install the new engine, it will need to be able to handle the HP and torque.

I have never rebuilt a tranmission before, I am certainly willing to give it a shot, I just know you can make a real mess of it if you do it wrong.

I think I will try adjusting the bands first and if it's still soft, I will seak some expert advice some some local guys I know.

Thanks, Jake

I would suggest some good information on the transmission if you get into it too much, I used the Torqueflite a 727 transmission handbook by Carl H. Munroe for my rebuild and as a further reference. Even if you get some one else to rebuild it its good to have. But there is still a lot of good information from members on this sight.