How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
#2942125
07/11/21 06:35 PM
07/11/21 06:35 PM
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Hemi_Joel
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The transmission behind the Cummins in my '93 d350 finally gave up. I had it rebuilt 150,000 mi prior, and the guy beefed it up with some modifications and Kevlar bands and red clutches or something like that. That 150,000 it was always heavily laden, towing the race trailer, or hauling the world's largest production truck camper, or both. So it did pretty good I think. But now it needs to be freshened up. I have never rebuilt an automatic transmission before. I've done plenty of manual transmissions, engines, rear ends, etc. But the automatic always seems like a mysterious thing.
So should I try and tackle it myself? Where do I start, where do I get the parts, what parts do I get, how long will it take me to do it, do I need any special tools?
Thanks, Joel
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2942133
07/11/21 07:12 PM
07/11/21 07:12 PM
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J_BODY
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I would think that would be a great candidate for a NV5600…… I’m sure Jeff would help spearhead that project! There are some special tools for the OD section, and a few others for compressing the front clutch. Does yours have the frame mounted trans cooler with the thermostatically controlled fan? Many trucks of that era had them installed due to the less than stellar cooling capabilities. My 47RE is all stock/factory components with the exception of a triple disc lower stall converter and a valve body kit from Goerend transmission in Iowa. It’s served me well for 163k and the pickup rarely moves without the race trailer or boat in tow. https://goerend.com/
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: J_BODY]
#2942136
07/11/21 07:21 PM
07/11/21 07:21 PM
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Hemi_Joel
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It does have the frame mounted cooler.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2942138
07/11/21 07:30 PM
07/11/21 07:30 PM
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A727Tflite
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The transmission behind the Cummins in my '93 d350 finally gave up. I had it rebuilt 150,000 mi prior, and the guy beefed it up with some modifications and Kevlar bands and red clutches or something like that. That 150,000 it was always heavily laden, towing the race trailer, or hauling the world's largest production truck camper, or both. So it did pretty good I think. But now it needs to be freshened up. I have never rebuilt an automatic transmission before. I've done plenty of manual transmissions, engines, rear ends, etc. But the automatic always seems like a mysterious thing.
So should I try and tackle it myself? Where do I start, where do I get the parts, what parts do I get, how long will it take me to do it, do I need any special tools?
Thanks, Joel Explain “gave up”. What does it do, or not do? And how much does the rig weigh as shown in the image.
Last edited by Transman; 07/11/21 07:31 PM.
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2942160
07/11/21 09:07 PM
07/11/21 09:07 PM
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: J_BODY]
#2942188
07/11/21 11:19 PM
07/11/21 11:19 PM
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Hemi_Joel
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3.54 gears, about 20K depending on what's in the trailer.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: J_BODY]
#2942198
07/11/21 11:57 PM
07/11/21 11:57 PM
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Hemi_Joel
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WHen I had the trans done last time, I had a DTT 89 converter put in. It has been awesome, so much more efficient than the original mush.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: J_BODY]
#2942199
07/11/21 11:58 PM
07/11/21 11:58 PM
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A727Tflite
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You can make the trans live bit you might be further ahead if you went to the 3.7 or 4.1 ratio and add lockup to the trans. Besides the weight you are pushing a lot of air.
Not hard at all to add, and going through the trans isn’t either.
My guess is you wounded the pump seal. Probably from so much heat it’s harder than a honeymoon pecker.
Last edited by Transman; 07/12/21 12:01 AM.
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: A727Tflite]
#2942213
07/12/21 01:38 AM
07/12/21 01:38 AM
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I got 150,ooo miles on the last rebuild. If I can repeat that, it's more than good enough. I doubt the rest of the truck will hold up for another 150k, nor will I own it that long.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2942226
07/12/21 03:31 AM
07/12/21 03:31 AM
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I got 150,ooo miles on the last rebuild. If I can repeat that, it's more than good enough. I doubt the rest of the truck will hold up for another 150k, nor will I own it that long. Understood. Sweet looking truck/rig.
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2942272
07/12/21 09:25 AM
07/12/21 09:25 AM
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J_BODY
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WHen I had the trans done last time, I had a DTT 89 converter put in. It has been awesome, so much more efficient than the original mush. A good converter is definitely a game changer on these rigs…. and lockup would be sweet! I’d also pay close attention to the line psi when you’re done and the guy I got my stuff from was pretty adamant about keeping the rpms over 1500 due to fluid volume issues. Goerend doesn’t build units anymore, but there was a guy in MN that took that duty over from him. Can’t remember the name, a call there might get you that info if you’re in a time crunch.
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Re: How hard is it to rebuild an a518 transmission?
[Re: J_BODY]
#2944994
07/19/21 11:16 PM
07/19/21 11:16 PM
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Well, fortunately I figured out the transmission seems to be ok. There was two things wrong. When I went to start it to move it and uncouple it from the trailer, I discovered transmission fluid spraying at a very rapid rate from a hose that extends back to the rear transmission cooler. The hose had worn through where it was rubbing on the frame rail. I was a little puzzled, because I knew that it was not doing that when I crawled under there and inspected when I was on my way home from the last road trip and the problem started. But I fixed the hose, filled up the fluid and took it for a drive with the camper and trailer still on it. I drove it hard with the pedal to the metal through all the gears to make sure there was no slippage. Everything seemed fine, so I figured hopefully this is the end of the issue. Then when I uncoupled the trailer and backed to the truck into the pole barn, I noticed a trail of transmission fluid on the floor. So I crawled under there and saw that it was dripping from near the front of the transmission, where I had seen it while I was on the trip. So I took the camper off, put the truck on the hoist and cleaned everything up really good and started it up and looked up in there with a mirror and a light. I discovered that the brass fitting that threads into the side of the transmission was leaking, the fluid was collecting on the little lip above the oil pan, and trailing forward and dripping off up towards the front. That fitting has a big steel pipe coming off of it, then on the end of that pipe is a big brass tee with two sensors on it and a brass fitting for the hose to continue back to the cooler. One of the sensors is no longer in use, so I'm going to get rid of the tee to save weight. I think all that weight on the end of that pipe, on that little brass fitting threaded into the transmission case is not a good thing. So I'm in the process of doing that. Then I think it will be fine. I hope.
So my theory is that the little leak developed when I was on the trip and caused my initial concern but adding a a couple quarts was enough to get me 200 mi.. Then when I got about 10 miles from home or so the hose rubbed through causing the massive leak which essentially stalled the truck. But since it was dark out by then I didn't see the massive leak. Thanks to everybody for all their help and suggestions. But I'm glad I didn't have to pull the transmission!
Last edited by Hemi_Joel; 07/19/21 11:18 PM.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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