I just got a 1980 dodge truck/6 727 it shifts from 1st to 3rd is this normal? thought I may of read something before but can't find more info on it. is it toast or how can I change this?thanks like the forum

Is the kickdown linkage unhooked or missing? No second is symptom of the kickdown link falling out from the linkage being unhooked. If you pull the pan and find a 3"X1" piece of steel that is your trouble for sure.

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it does kicks down, will take a look at the linkage this morning it doesn't slip between 1st and third just goes right from first to third and when it can't hangle it drops into 1st winding it out thats when you really notice I messed with the shifter trying to put itin second manually no luck

A friend of mine has this problem on his car, it's a brand X vehicle, so I won't go into details. If it is missing second gear completely and the kickdown works, chances are that there is something internally wrong with the trans. The first place I would look if you are planning to tear this apart yourself is the valve body.

Make sure that all the little balls are in the right spots, and that the valves are all set up correctly. There is a FSM for the 727/904 at the top of the Transmission & Rearend Topic.

~THOR~

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Before you pull the pan, try adjusting the kickdown band. The adjuster is on the outside of the case right above the shift linkage and cooler line. Break the locknut loose and screw the adjuster in as tight as you can with yoru fingers. Back it out 1-1/2 turns and retighten the locknut w/o moving the adjuster.

If that doesn't do anything the pan has to come off.

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thanks I'll try adjusting the band didn't know it could/would do that. also if its in the valve body could I use one from a v8 big or small block if needed I have those lying around in trannys if needed. I just didn't know if it was messed up or ?I want to put my 833od in if it comes down to major overhaul, I need a bellhousing and flywheel for the slant6 I have a small block (hopefully my flywheels is drilled) like I said first /6. thanks again

Had this happen with a 904 some time ago. The Throttle valve wasn't working right to begin with, and it cooked things. Once you reach this stage, it's rebuild time In My Opinion. make sure the TV is working right on the new tranny before putting it into service!

CJ

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when I open the throttle on the carb all the way the kick down is maxed out can't go any further is this correct or is there another way.

Did you check the adjustment like Zilla suggested? After that, did you check to see if something was in the pan? Drop the valve body and check for loose items floating around in there?

Doesn't matter what the Kickdown arm is doing if it is miss-adjusted.

Don't drive it like that in any event. A master kit is under two hundred bucks with all the bells and whistles. Get it squeaky clean, and tear it down, then get all the internals squeaky clean, and put it back together with new parts. Makes for a great winter project!

If that isn't in the cards, and you don't have any Mopar transmission buddies to help you with it, get it to a reputable transmission shop before severe damage occurs.

CJ

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I checked fulid level and the kick down adjustment, when carb is wot the kick down is maxed out. is this correct? I adjust the kickdown band back as tight as I could finger tight and backed it off 1 and half turns. took it for a drive and its still the same will be dropping the pan tomorrow when I get home from work. hope fully linkage is messed up inside or its in the valve body.................

so if the kickdown (throttle valve) wasn't working wouldn't it shift and drive soft and drive like its slipping with no power?? I'm not driving it, I don't wan't to burn it up. are 727 for /6 hard to find? I wanted to put a 833od in the truck eventually I need the bellhousing & flywheel I think I have most the linkage and pedals. but its been a while. I've rebuilt a couple trannys but mostly just installed shiftkits/valve body mods etc. it could be time????

With the throttle all the way back I would adjust the kickdown so it is about halfway back at the trans for starters. All the way back with give a very late upshift.

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okay i'll try that. I was reading in the service , manual and it says you push the lever at the tranny forward and tighten the nut and basically it will be set correctlly by the springs seems a little vaugue to me

well nothing in the pan all looked normal a little residue on bottom of pan fluid looked good going to pull the valve body and check the ball location etc maybe change it out? I have spare.

hmmmm untill I removed the valve body I looked up and saw the kickdown band adjuster side ways and not even adjust the band kicked sideways against the case. maybe some adjusted it and let the tension off I know when I tried to adjust it I never let the tension off. well I think this was my problem, do I switch the valve body out with a known good one(was out of a v8)? or run the same? how much damage would it have done?????

Check the surface of the drum. If it has been run with the adjuster out it may be scored. If it is, you have problems.

I would seriously doubt the valve body is the problem.

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