When I installed the T-5 I spent hours centering the bell housing using offset guidepins and shims. The offset guide pins are what will be there, of course,when I remove the T-5. This raises several important questions:

1.Is there a centering process required for an automatic? If so, how do you do it? The FSM was clear in their description of using a dial caliper for centering the hole in the bell housing of a manual transmission. And I took the time to do that.

2. If the auto is indexed accurately enough with the stock guide pins, then it seems I should pull these offset ones and replace them with straight ones. Jegs and Summit lists offsets ones, but not stock, straight ones. Any ideas about where to find stock ones?

As an added bit of information, the professional transmission guy who ordered my torque converter and gave me advice on the purchase of my transmission has a 66 Olds 442 sitting in his bay right now. I asked him what it was in there for, and he said a previous shop had installed a new 4sp OD automatic with an adapter plate, and the adapter plate was indexed slightly off center, and it tore up the front pump.He is having a new plate machined, and rebuilding the transmission. Hence the minor paranoia on my part . How does one know if an automatic is centered correctly?

As always, thanks in advance for any advice.

Sam

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Just bumped another post for you, just a heads up,mopar uses 0.496 undersized pins. Ford ones 0.500 will not fit

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V8?? We don't need no stink'n V8!!

Thanks. I don't think I am at all prepared to do what you show in your photos. If the error happens in the drilling of the block, then it seems the offset pins as they are would be helpful. If however the errors happen in the trans or bell housing, then these guide pins are specific to the current T-5 bell housing and if anything might make things worse. It does seem as if the shims I installed were put in to eliminate the level, if you will, of the flywheel, and thus the crank. If this is so, maybe they would serve some purpose as well. The original 904 seemed to work fine with the straight dowel pins.

Thanks for the heads up on the size. Again, who sells these parts? Are they a dealer item? Do modern Ram trucks use the same part?

Sam

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I'm sure others will have a different method, but yes, dialing in the alignment is a good idea. I do it with the trans housing prior to assembly and dial it in using the pump locating bore. Also check it on the face, ie where the pump bolts screw into to check both axis. You could just throw standard dowels back in and assemble it and probably not have an issue, after all, it's run the last 40 years ok! I just suggest checking it coz you seem like a very thorough person who likes doing it right. By the way, for suggested oils, Australian lube guides all recommend a dexron fluid, or offer a fully synthetic fluid as an option. Personally, dexron today is probably miles better than the fluid used "in the day" when these trans were new,and that's as good as my 904 will get put into it and it's fine,but,in my A518 I run the ATF+4 mopar fluid, but it's a crazy price here. I may switch to one of the other brands that do the equivalent spec fluid. Hope this helps!

Thanks STeve, I doubt if I can dial in this case. The tranny is together, and I know NOTHING about automatic transmission tear down and rebuild. I have had a few others PM me saying they have strong testing data suggesting that Dexron VI is a better fluid at this point. Difference are in anti foam, heat resistance, and such things.

Sam

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You may still be able to do a dial in on the pump,just trying to recall what's there to dial off,but pretty sure you could get a decent check off the stationary splined shaft,just behind the splines? Can't remember if its a machined surface,worth a look. Dexron is fine, Mopar recommend the atf4 in the 518,that's why I go with it,but I bet plenty don't . Interestingly ( well not really,but I mention it anyways!) manufacturers at one stage seem to like the synthetic fluids and the sealed for life trans concept. On a Mercedes my girlfriend drives and I now service the dealers would never touch the transmission,sealed for lif they said,no service needed! Hah!! After years of looking at the crud that comes out of a trans pan of my various cars over years of service I couldn't leave it,I took it to a very good trans guy,he pulled the pan,sure it was ok,but still normal dirty, I'm glad we cleaned it and replaced the fluid and filter,what Im getting at is despite what exotic oils are on the offer,a good quality fluid changed a regular intervals will always win in my book.

Sam, I have 3 engines on the floor and one on a stand with a hole through the block. I have dowel pins for you!! That is if we can get them out tomorrow!

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Thanks Rick. I 'm looking forward to seeing you and your place. Sam

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