Howdy y'all! I just picked up a push-button A904 with a reverse manual valve body from a different Lemons team, and the previous owner reports that the kickdown band is shot. (They apparently had to finish their last race with just 1st and 3rd.) I'd like to replace just the kickdown band and toss it into the Turbo Dart to see if it works, but it's been a while since I ordered rebuild parts for a 904. Is there somewhere I can buy the band independently, or do I need to order a full rebuild kit? I need something that will hold up behind a mildly racy slant while being violently mishandled on a road course.

On a related note, what quick checks would you recommend I perform while I have the transmission open, to make sure nothing else is worn out? I can do the various pressure port checks, but I don't know if there's a way to verify the clutches aren't burned up without unpacking the drums. Is there anything else you'd suspect was amiss, knowing that the kickdown band wore out prematurely? I know my auto 904s have always lost 3rd gear before anything else, but I have no experience with manual valve bodies and have no idea how unusual this failure mode is. Could it just be a result of improper band adjustment? Should the bands be adjusted any differently with a manual valve body vs. a standard valve body? How about adjustment for racing vs. street driving?

I'm also trying to decide if I leave the manual valve body in it, or swap in the regular shift-kitted valve body from one of my other 904s. I'm concerned about what might happen if one of my drivers accidentally presses the wrong button.

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Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

When I was buying parts for my A904 rebuild a few years ago I ran across a company called Alabama Bands that deals in transmission bands separately, not in a complete transmission rebuild kit. I never ordered from them, just FYI places like this do exist.
Good luck!

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1975 Dodge D100 225 c.i., HEI, Offenhauser Four Barrel Intake, Parallel-mounted 500 CFM Edelbrock, Split Cast Iron Exhaust, 904 auto, 9.25" 3.55:1

Transtar is another one. Can't recall but there are others. A&A in Indy would sell you indiv parts too.

I have a reverse pattern MVB, but have not had the guts to use it on something I street or roadcourse/autoX drive. I'm sure I would shift the wrong way and probably do damage to engine or trans. I would swap in your known good VB so there is no confusion.

You can look for metal in the trans pan when you get it apart. Small filings/particles are normal, but bigger chunks might warrant taking clutch packs apart and replacing. I have seen quite a bit of particle "sludge" in the bottom of a pan on a well-used 904, and have had no symptoms. Even to the point of almost blocking the filter area.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Just an FYI. You can use a trans pan for a A-500 and the "GOOD" Mopar ridgid gasket. They are both great. The only issue is the new pan, and gasket does not have a "notch" to allow clearance to one of the mounting bolts for the park cable housing. So the pan would have to be removed to access that bolt if you wanted to remove the park housing.

PS: I don't know if you are using a deep pan or not. If you are stay with that. The new style of gasket can still be used. But it too will cover that housing bolt.

Pan like this (many listed at different price points).https://www.ebay.com/itm/372433900857?_ ... BMhtPVksVk
I have always used the genuine Mopar gasket, but here is a similar one: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lub- ... e#overview
They are resuable

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Thanks, Charlie. Luckily this trans already has a deep pan, but I'm picking up another of those good reusable gaskets.

Hey, there's a Transtar branch in Houston! Which one of these kickdown bands should I use?

https://transend.us/products/transmissi ... rtTypeId=1

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Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

I'm finally getting this transmission buttoned up again. Also taking advantage of having a Transtar outlet down the street to get a fresh case seal and gasket for the front pump before I put it back in.

Question: Do I need to replace the aluminum washers on the 6 bolts that hold in the front pump? The A904 front pump kit sold by Oregon Performance includes these.

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Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

Frank, sorry I didn't get back to you about the band. I missed that post. As for the front pump washers, I always replace them. Usually they come in a trans kit. Even if you need to get them extra, I feel it is cheap insurance. Having to pull the trans to correct a leak is not one of my favorite jobs.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225