I'm about to install a TransGo Shift Kit in the 727 in my 71 D100. Any words of wisdom of helpful hints before I dive in? Instructions seem pretty straight forward.

Thanks,

Joe

_________________
Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Less is more.

If your kit is similar to the one I installed, the instructions give you some leeway on what size holes to drill or enlarge in the valve body. I took a middle of the road approach, using drill bits that were roughly in the middle of, if not slightly to the low side of the hole size range listed in the instructions. I ened up with firm, but not harsh shifts. I no longer feel any overlap or hesistation bewteen shifts. It just shifts, and it shifts right now. I am very pleased.

Go with the Hd option. It will fix the shifting weaknesses, drive nice and last the longest. Going for the slam bang shifts will not increase durability or help a tired trans. It won't really do anything for performance in most street vehicles either since the HD setup won't slip, shifts quick and will keep the rear hooked up better with street radials. The slamming shift that lifts the right rear tire and squeals it does not move you forward any quicker, it slows you down. Make sure the bands are adjusted properly when it is done and flush out the torque converter. Keep it clean and no wiping inside parts with rags. Spray parts with carb cleaner or rinse in solvent and drip dry. Have lots of fluid on hand!

Thanks for the tips. Super--we're on the same page with drill sizes. I want something just like you're describing.

I appreciate the advice.

One final question--I haven't been able to locate a 3/64" bit. Do you think the 1/16" would be OK?

Thanks again,

Joe

_________________
Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

3/64 = .046875
#56 = .0465

1/16 = .0625

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I've been told to NEVER use solvents or other cleanser than thin oil for transmission parts... for the other poart I agree, the HD kits are great.

_________________
Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

Solvents are fine for cleaning transmission parts. In fact I'd say "necessary", just don't get them on rubber seals or friction materials. Good ol' CRC Brakleen is about perfect for use on a valve body while putting in a shift kit.

_________________

NO! The hole sizes are critical. Even an extra 1/64" could lead to problems IMO.

I have probably 10 different drill bit sets, and still went to a local hardware store and bought the proper drill bits for my install. Any good hardware store will have more than the common 1/32 or even 1/64 increment bits. Look at the #xx bits carefully, and select the ones that fall within the hole diameter ranges (down to the thousandth of an inch) specified in the kit. The normal 1/64" bit increments just do not get 'close enough'. Again, JMO.

My kit actually came with two bits, but I still needed to purchase two more. They are only a dollar or so a piece. You may only ever use them once, but it is worth it to have a transmission that works the way you want it to.

One other suggestion that I did not mention above, you may want to start with the minimum hole sizes specified in the kit, and see how the trans performance suits you. You can always drill the holes larger, you can't put the metal back.

BTW - Brake Cleaner and lint free rags are what I used on the Valve body. Cleanliness really is next to godliness when working on a trans (or so my transmission buddy told me...so I listened). I spent a couple hours cleaning my garage, and especially my workbench, before I pulled the valve body. I did not want any errant dust finding it's way into the valve body.

About the drill bits. A little diameter is allot of area, so they should be the right size and sharp (new) so they cut a clean hole. If you cannot find them at the hardware store try McMasterCarr.com. You can get anything there reasonably and they will ship it right out, even a few small items. Great when you need high quality fasteners too. Aren't rags made out of lint? The lint free rag thing always seemed funny to me until I found some polyester wipes that are absorbent and actually lint free. Really spray out that valve body while it is apart and look for crap in the tight spots. One loose shaving jammed in a valve can really take the fun out of any trans work.