I am using an aluminum drum in my 727 equipped bracket car and I am unhappy with the fluid turning black so quickly since I put it in. I was thinking of having the band surface hard anodized to try to help this problem. Has anyone here tried anything like this? What was the result? Is there some other type of surface treatment or coating that might work? Need something normal humans can afford. Any experiences or ideas?

We've been running the same A&A Aluminum drum for 10 years with A&A's Smooth Red Band and ATF Type IV. Trans fluid always comes out Red.

What kind of band are you running.

I am using a smooth red lined band, believe it came from Coan. Type f fluid. TCI transbrake, high 1.3 60 ft

Same here, smooth red Alto hard band. Drum and band looked like new at 350 pass inspection. How does yours look? How do the clutch fibers look?
Doug

A little off topic but how often you do you folks with aluminum drums change fluid?

100 passes.
Doug

It's apart now at 200 runs for inspection, clutches look new, band looks almost new, drum shows slight wear on the surface where the band runs.

I haven't changed my fluid since I built the tranny in 2004. I don't put many passes each year now, but from 2004 to maybe 2012 it was 60-80 a year. Back in those days it had my 9 second engine in it. Not saying it is the wise thing to do but I feel that some people exaggerate aluminum drum maintenance.

hello,
I had the Kevlar band and fluid was gray in 2 passes, switched to billet steel drum, also reaction times went to poop with gray fluid
gary

Kevlar and aluminum drums don't mix. It'll chew it up.
Doug

I wonder if the brand, age, material and heat treat, which alloy the drum is made of, with has some influence on the results?
I've debated on buying a aluminum drum with a steel sleeve on it for the band to ride on over this same issue with the fluids

Currently using the aluminum full metal jacket drum in a street/strip app. No issues and clean fluid.