Hey! I recently installed a brand new 727 built by a pretty reputable builder on the cuda-challenger boards. full manual valve body w 1st band apply, bolt in sprag ect... I also installed a brand new Protorque 9" converter, billet housing, furnace brazed, anti-ballooning plates ect...

Anyway, I noticed after a few drives that the tranny was shifting slllooww from 1st to 2nd but only when cold. It seemed to get a little worse the more I took it out but would always go away after a little while of driving.

The other day I take it out and the tranny flat out came out of second gear under WOT. I was in it and getting to the top of second (maybe 5000rpm) and it just slipped out and freerevved like it was in neutral. I slowed down, motor still freerevving down like it was in N and put in first. I drove away and had all three gears again. Tried it again at WOT though and it popped out again.

Smelled the fluid and it smelled 'old' but not scorched or anything Just smelled like real old fluid even though I maybe have 50 miles or less on the tranny. I pulled the pan and found a clump of fine metal particles stuck to the filter and a few tiny chunks of metal in the pan.
Heres what I found in the pan (along with some glittering metal dust towards the upper right like what was stuck on the filter)


And heres the metal shavings found stuck to the filter after I wiped it with my finger



It looks a lot like converter shavings but im not sure. That's what my tranny builder told me as well so im going to pull the tranny and take the converter back. Just wondering what you guys think? Could the converter be at at fault? What about those small chunks of metal? Just not sure what to do but im really not happy...spend a lot of money only to have to take this thing apart AGAIN just in time for the cold weather.

thanks!

-edit: oh and excuse the dates, never set my camera

2nd gear is a function of the kickdown (front) band, since the pan is already off pull down on the lever and see how much travel you get. 3/8"-1/2" is the most you want, if it's a lot more than that the band is worn which might explain the debris.

Use a stick magnet to separate any steel shavings from the debris.

check the play on the band and then disassemble the servo for the second gear band. he might have forgotten a sealing ring ...

I agree with these guys. Check the front servo/band adjustment. When I set mine, I pull hard (by hand) on the lever and set it to 5/16" using an allen wrench as a feeler gauge. If it is over 3/8" it isn't right. Your symptons could be a servo seal too (or another seal).

I wouldn't get too excited over that small amount of debris. But check for steel vs non-magnetic stuff.

I bought a used 8" conv. at a swap meet one time and put it in my Cuda with a 600HP engine and a 250 shot of NOS. The car did perfect on the moter, but when I sprayed it, it would act like it went into neutral. I would coast to a stop and then it would take back off and all would be OK. I found some numbers on the conv. and called the company and they told me they built that conv. for a customer with a 273 c.i. eng. and that I was " driving through the conv." I put another conv. in the car and never had anymore trouble.

Thanks everyone. You'll have to excuse me, i am tranny illiterate as far as the innards to. I guess now is as good of time than any to start learning. Which of the two levers is the piston/servo for the kickdown band? Does the shift lever has to be in 2nd gear to check it?

The shavings were mostly metallic, some were not but much of it was.

I took the converter back to protorque, no questions asked they said they'd check it out and even loosen it up a little for me (decided not to install the 150 shot this year). They said it was a "slim chance" it is a problem with the converter but they are going through it anyway and let me know what they find.

It does not have to be in 2nd. The kick down servo is the most forward one. Closest to the motor on the drivers side.

Thanks, I checked it out today and although I couldn't find my feeler gauge I could tell you it was MUCH less than 1/2 inch and even less than a 3/8ths (3/8ths allen key wasn't even close to fitting). It was very tight. This ok?

The other servo though had much more play, again no feeler gauge but it looked like at least a half inch of play on that one.

have seen that before and most of the time its converter, we install alot of dayco and reman ind. tq's and they always say nothing wrong but never turned us down for replacement. Clean it out good, i normally take apart and check and clean, odds are your trans guy would take a look and clean it up for ya.