Your dad's 76 727 isn't an exception to the rule, but an "exception" to this situation as 727's are prolly the only bulletproof auto trans I've ever seen.

I've heard that the trannys in these trucks (with the exception of my freind) are a lot different but with Dodge's tranny history in the past 20 years, it makes me a bit nervous...I've had a 94 and 95 Intrepid...LOVED the cars, but HATED the continual tranny trouble, even after rebuilding them with all of the most updated parts.

My dad has had a lot of Ford (aerostars and windstars) company vehicles over the years without a lick of trouble...but his last Ford was an 03, so maybe you are refering to more present vehicles than that...though since then he's had a few Chrysler products without a lick of trouble, including tranny, so I'm not sure why I am nervous.



Now when you guys talk about letting it drip for hours after dropping the pan, would it suffice to drop the pan and let what comes out, out, then put the pan back on and allow it to drip and then remove the pan again to let it out. Basically I don't like the idea of leaving it open to the environment, as I don't have room to pull in my garage just yet...so it'd be open in my driveway and I am leaving town for the day and just don't want it open.

 

It wont make any big difference. Drop the pan and let it drip while you get a snack or watch Opra, or both

It goes for any auto. If you just HAVE to leave it them slap the pan back up and stab 2 bolts on it hand tight.

 

Well, I did the deed...changing fluid and filter only...I will do the check valve and cooler mod when I get back from my trip...I was kinda smart about it, I drained the transmission and let it drip while I changed the spark plugs and changed the oil, which gave it plenty of time to drip dry...a total of about 6.5 hours today...it dripped enough that it needed 9 qts of tranny fluid...I did do one very stupid thing though, and I hope it didn't do much harm...WHile tranny and engine oil was dripping I changed the first cylinder of plugs then I started it up to make sure the boots got reconnected well...I started it up and let it run for about 2 secs, just enough to hear that it ran smooth without a missing cyl or anything and shut it down, after a few minutes I realized that I EFFed up cuz there was no oil in the engine. Anyway, the plugs were pretty good too for being original at 81,000 miles. no fouling at all just worn plug look and out of curiousity, I check the gap of them too and they ranged from 0.50 to 0.57...most were under 0.55 Just one was at 0.57. Went for a test drive and now there is an odd noise when driving but can only hear it less than 35 MPH and with radio and heater off...and it is while driving, not reving the engine. It almost sounds like a zip tie on the driveshaft hitting every revolution. I'm not all that concerned about it yet. It may be something that was always there, but I never have the radio down low enough to hear it.