Tranny update with an interesting twist...

[Saleen91]

So the weekend before last I hurt my transmission at the track. Thanks to everybody who came over and helped (more like DID the work ;) ) drop the transmission out. Sorry about your hand Guff, next time don't try and pad the landing of a bell housing from hitting the floor with your hand! :p Anyway, I was 90% sure I knew what the problem was because the trans acted the same way it did at FFW/Ennis this year by loosing all forward gears but still having reverse. The problem from FFW/Ennis was a snap ring had come off of the tailshaft. I don't know if that was a screw up from the person whom I had rebuild the tranny or not, but it was an relatively easy fix as everything else in the trans was fine. Well this time it was NOT the same problem. I called my tranny guy yesterday and found out that the splines on the planetary (where the output shaft rides) were GONE! I started to panic a bit as this was a PA 6 pinion, heavy duty, super fly, mac daddy planetary. So I called PA, told them what the deal was and MERRY XMAS TO ME it has a lifetime warranty on the planetary!!!! :woot: So I ask them for their address so I can ship it back when I get back into town this weekend. Now here's the funny twist part. Their shop is only an HOUR away from the clients site that I've been working at the past two weeks (Baltimore, MD) and where I'll be AGAIN next week! :bubbrubb: So I'll be flying halfway across the US to hand deliver a part as I'm sure I can do it quicker than UPS, and cheaper since I'll already be up here for business! Pretty cool huh? Other than that, the intermediate band shows some signs of heat on the edges, big whoop, and everything else looks fine.

I just thought I'd share.

[maveRick]

Good attitude, Ben. The glass is definitely half full! :thumb:

[Otis!]

What glass? LOL! Good deal Ben-nay!

O! is out!

[White90GT]

I thought the super comp had a lifetime warranty on everything, even rebuilds?
If your car didn't weigh so much, I'd say its time for a powerglide!

[TxBandit]

Ben, I had the same problem with a C4 that was in a '63 Falcon that I once owned. It happened more than once. There are two different stock planetaries, one is aluminum and the other is cast iron. My fix was to use the cast iron piece. In your case you are stuck with the aluminum as it's the only six gear option available. I'd ask Harvey about why it broke while you are there at his place. It may be possible to avoid this in the future.

Troy

[Saleen91]

I thought the super comp had a lifetime warranty on everything, even rebuilds?
If your car didn't weigh so much, I'd say its time for a powerglide!

The warranty is only for the person who originally purchases the tranny straight from PA. I bought my from the original owner and the warranty is not transferable.

Troy,

I think it's time I start pulling some weight out of the vert. Not to necessarily go faster, as that will be a nice side effect, but to extend the life of the planetary. As for the 6 pinion that PA offers, I could swear it's steel and not aluminum. But I'll definitely try picking Harvey's brain while I'm up there.

[sledgehammer]

Good deal Ben, at least it is a somewhat easy fix.

harvey

[Blue91]

Can I have dibs on the bling bling trunk light? ;)

[Guffinator]

I think it's time I start pulling some weight out of the vert

I have this really neato grinder with a cut off wheel.


How are you going to lighten it up?

[HoustonLX]

IMO it would be a shame to hack up such a clean car (inside and out). I agree its cool to see a vert turning some bad ass times. But, if it were me, I would buy a roller coupe and transer all the go fast goodies.

[HoustonLX]

Something like this would make a nice platform for the killer combo...

http://www.htownracing.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29818

[maveRick]

Something like this would make a nice platform for the killer combo...http://www.htownracing.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29818

I assume the T-top cars do not have the same added support as convertibles? :curious:

[Saleen91]

Well the weight I'm thinking of removing is the stereo equipment. The cd changer, amp rack, and all of the speakers with the exception of the door speakers. Basically just leaving the head unit and door speakers in the car. There's a considerable amount of weight in the amp rack since there's a couple of amps on it and it's made out of 3/4" particle board with all of the associated wiring & power distribution that's underneath it.

After that I think the only other easy way is to have the front end draglites on it 100% of the time as that's an easy 50# right there. But since I can't load the car on/off the trailer with those tires on it (front end sits too low) it may be time for some Lakewood drag struts and some front end coil overs to raise up the front end a little bit.

[Blue91]

No need for lakewood struts. Your struts will work fine with coil overs.

Good idea though... I was going to suggest coil overs to raise it up.

[Saleen91]

Well after the deal you've discovered with the Tokico's not extending as far as the Lakewoods I want something that can provide more extension when I launch.

[Blue91]

After installing my lakewoods, they DO extend the same. My control arms, with the suspension unloaded, is just like it was when I had the tokicos on the car, and it matches yours when your car is on stands as well. Had I known this without having to buy the lakewoods to find out, I would have kept the illuminas. Ah well