Accoding to my FSM (for '77 Tradesman/Sportsman vans), "for ease of setting ignition timing, there
is a hole in the tranmission case to see timing marks stamped on torque converter on some models."
(motorhome chassis', I think)



I got my van from a neighbor (ex-wife of original owner) who was very forthcoming about
what maintenance/repair/replacement the van had, or had not received (ie- "five or six oil
& filter changes during 272,000 miles of use) since new. She also said the original trans
(727 Loadflight) had "burned-up" and was replaced with one from a junked '77 Monaco wagon.
Ive always wondered though, because the transmission in the van now has a "viewing hole" too.




Did all A-727 cases cast in '76 or 77, get the hole regardless of application?

Wow I never knew that.

Could the shop who installed it just drilled a new hole? Does the TC have marks on it?

The numbers on the pan rail just below the shift levers will tell you exactly what kind of car it came out of and the partial vin will be on the passenger side of the bell housing will help you know if it is original to that van.

The transmission part number stamped in the drivers side pan rail will identify its origin. The original van cases had a couple of hash marks cut into the periphery of the hole to act as a timing mark reference.

Trouble is, many vans lost the degreed converter at the first overhaul so the hole is useless.

that should be the correct tranny maybe the t/c was changed out.you might have oom to use a conventional timming light to set time.

FWIW, the replacement tranny in my brother's Cuda has that hole. I always wondered why, now I know! Was there a plug available for them? Seems to be an open invitation for nuts or bolts or water and that would not be good.