Road Testing
Hydraulic Pressure Testing
Air Pressure Testing
Torque Converter Stall Testing
Noise Identification
Leaks
Summary
Chapter 4: Transmission Disassembly
General Safety
Tools, Chemicals and Miscellaneous Supplies
The Work Area
Cleaning for Disassembly and Inspection
Tearing It Down
Removing Subassemblies
Chapter 5: Component Preparation
Oil Pump
Front Clutch
Rear Clutch
Overrunning Clutch
Planetary Gear Assembly
Kickdown Servo and Band
Low-Reverse Servo and Band
Output Shaft, Governor and Parking Gear
Chapter 6: Control Valve Body Preparation
Pressure Control and Regulation Valves
Disassembly
Check Balls, Pressure Regulators, Transfer and Separator Plate, Lock-Up Valve Assembly or Stiffener and Filter
Shuttle Valve and Governor Plugs
Manual Lever and Throttle Pressure Lever
Shift Valves and Regulator Valve
Reassembly
Shift Valves and Regulator
Manual Lever and Throttle Pressure Lever
Shuttle Valve and Governor Plugs
Check Balls, Pressure Regulators, Transfer and Separator Plate, Lock-Up Valve Assembly or Stiffener and Filter
Subassembly Installation Tips and Pre-Assembly Tests
Air Checking Clutch Assemblies before Installation
Miscellaneous Component Preparation
Overrunning Clutch
Low-Reverse Servo
Low-Reverse Anchor, Band and Drum: A-904
Low-Reverse Anchor, Band and Drum: A-727
Planetary Gear Assemblies, Sun Gear and Sun Gear Driving Shell
Kickdown Servo
Front and Rear Clutch Retainer
Kickdown Band
Oil Pump
Extension Housing
Air Checking Assemblies
Accumulator, Valve Body, Levers, Filter, Switch and Pan
Post-Install Procedure
Chapter 8: The Torque Converter
Torque Converter Basics
Details of a Continuous Cycle
Factors That Affect Converter Operation
Converter Issues
Factory Converters
Aftermarket Converters
Selecting a Converter
Chapter 9: Performance Modifications
Why Modify?
TorqueFlite Strengths
Modification Parts
Shift Modification Kits or Complete Valve Bodies
TorqueFlite Specialty Internal Part Upgrades
Friction Upgrades
Bands, Levers and Struts
Complete Overhaul Sets
Appendix A: TorqueFlite Transmission Numbers
Appendix B: Troubleshooting Charts, Data and Specifications
Appendix C: Performance Modifications and Suggestions
DEDICATION
Back in 1982, I wrote about the TorqueFlite and a young lady named Debbie typed it. She and I married and raised two wonderful daughters, Emma and Becky. In 2016, Debbie put off a lot of things while I again wrote about the TorqueFlite. I love her, our two daughters, and Matt and Brandon for having such patience.
PREFACE
I grew up in a family with three brothers and three sisters, a mom who was always home, and a dad who taught us how to work on things. I had a Kenner’s Girder and Panel building set, a Gilbert Erector set, slot cars, model cars, model rockets, and progressed to bicycles, lawnmowers/go-karts, and cars. Dad was always a Pontiac guy, but in the late 1960s, he bought a 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 automatic. I too bought a 340 Swinger, but mine was a 4-speed. His was quicker, but mine was faster. Of course, it was the TorqueFlite making his ET lower. Mark Poole and I took an automatic transmission class to learn about TorqueFlites.
Previously, I wrote three articles on the TorqueFlite for the Mopar Muscle Club International and the Walter P Chrysler Club. Around 1984, Kyle and his father, Dick Drake and I started the High Performance Auto Club for Chrysler products, which provided a source of Midwestern-based TorqueFlites for rebuilding and/or modifying. I was very fortunate to be able to rebuild some of the rarest ones ever made. In 1984, a trip to the Kokomo plant let me see how TorqueFlites were manufactured. And, a trip to Detroit provided time