Rebuilding your Torqueflite

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon Nov 01, 04 1:59 pm

I've rebuilt loads of gearboxes over the years, but I've only ever done an old Borg Warner Automatic transmission in the past and that took me about a week just to change the clutches and the bands.

So, as I'm a methodical sort of bloke with a pretty sound engineering background, I thought I'd have a go at my Torqueflite.

Here's just a couple of the pictures of some of the parts involved...snap rings, circlips, O rings, springs flying everywhere, accordian springs like razor blades, blimey, it keeps your attention that's for sure.

Now, If I was charging out at say 40 quid an hour, I'm into this gearbox for ?800 already and that's excluding parts.

Anyway, the moral of this story is, whatever any of the pros charge you for rebuilding a Torqueflite, it's good value!

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Mon Nov 01, 04 2:02 pm

An' I thought they just had a big ol' bag of "voodoo" in 'em!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Nov 01, 04 2:04 pm

But it is GREAT FUN Ivor!

I can do one in a day now. Took me a couple of weekends the first time.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon Nov 01, 04 3:29 pm

Whats that big blue thing in the backgroud Ivor? A Capri?

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Mon Nov 01, 04 11:51 pm

Only took me an hour!!
To drive up to Duncs that is......

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Nov 02, 04 6:03 pm

Oi Jeff! Behave!
Rich, I'm beginning to think you had the right idea!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Nov 02, 04 6:18 pm

i dont think my 727 has got any of that inside,im sure it changes gear using magic a voodoo

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Wed Nov 03, 04 12:09 am

HEY IVOR MIGHT BE MY EYES BUT THAT LOOKS LIKE A LOCKUP INPUT SHAFT

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Nov 03, 04 10:07 am

Thanks Dunc, I'll check that out, I suppose that's gonna make life difficult too!

There are a few anomolies on this box, like no big ball and spring in the corner of the valve body...and it has never had one, which is a bit strange.

My labour bill has now risen to a grand!

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Nov 10, 04 1:41 pm

About 26 splines on that input shaft Dunc... it appears to fit my non lock up converter, so I hope that's right!

The box appears to be made up of 1970 and 1971 bits, which has been interesting, to say the least.

I've got the box together and the pump back in, now I've got half an inch of play in the input shaft...and no bits left over.

Brilliant.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Nov 10, 04 1:59 pm

....but are there any bits missing

Holly · Post by **Holly** » Wed Nov 10, 04 7:50 pm

Shake it and see if it rattles

If you get stuck I've got a spare A525 you can have

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Thu Nov 11, 04 1:21 am

Need to up-date my previous post,mine took 2 hours to sort out.(had to go fetch it back as well)Hope your sorted now Ivor..
P.S. heard from the tyre fryer lately ???

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Thu Nov 11, 04 1:52 pm

Spoke to the Tyre Fyer this morning Rich and he's on top form...don't wind me up Richard, I wanted to have a go! Now I know why so many people chose the professional rebuild route.

Ever tried lifting a Torqueflite, let alone shake it, James?

I'm going to pull it all apart again tonight and find out what's going on.

Thos gearbox is gonna be worth about five grand in labour soon.

db · Post by db » Thu Nov 11, 04 2:19 pm

Rebuild it all you like Ivor, without a sprinkle of fairy dust it'll never work