TorqueFlite Strengths
Modification Parts
Shift Modification Kits or Complete Valve Bodies
TorqueFlite Specialty Internal Part Upgrades
Friction Upgrades
Bands, Levers and Struts
Complete Overhaul Sets
Appendix A: TorqueFlite Transmission Numbers
Appendix B: Troubleshooting Charts, Data and Specifications
Appendix C: Performance Modifications and Suggestions
DEDICATION
Back in 1982, I wrote about the TorqueFlite and a young lady named Debbie typed it. She and I married and raised two wonderful daughters, Emma and Becky. In 2016, Debbie put off a lot of things while I again wrote about the TorqueFlite. I love her, our two daughters, and Matt and Brandon for having such patience.
PREFACE
I grew up in a family with three brothers and three sisters, a mom who was always home, and a dad who taught us how to work on things. I had a Kenner’s Girder and Panel building set, a Gilbert Erector set, slot cars, model cars, model rockets, and progressed to bicycles, lawnmowers/go-karts, and cars. Dad was always a Pontiac guy, but in the late 1960s, he bought a 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 automatic. I too bought a 340 Swinger, but mine was a 4-speed. His was quicker, but mine was faster. Of course, it was the TorqueFlite making his ET lower. Mark Poole and I took an automatic transmission class to learn about TorqueFlites.
Previously, I wrote three articles on the TorqueFlite for the Mopar Muscle Club International and the Walter P Chrysler Club. Around 1984, Kyle and his father, Dick Drake and I started the High Performance Auto Club for Chrysler products, which provided a source of Midwestern-based TorqueFlites for rebuilding and/or modifying. I was very fortunate to be able to rebuild some of the rarest ones ever made. In 1984, a trip to the Kokomo plant let me see how TorqueFlites were manufactured. And, a trip to Detroit provided time with Chrysler transmission engineers and one of the designers of the TorqueFlite, Mr. Bert Cartwright. Marriage in 1985 and family commitments took precedence, and time to wrench on transmissions diminished.
Fast forward to 2016. I was asked to consider putting together a book about the TorqueFlite and because I had some extra time, a wealth of publications, historical documents, training manuals, access to parts, and good friends to help, I agreed. I learned a lot (more) about this tremendous transmission and I hope you find this book to be interesting, educational, and beneficial.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Some friends leave lasting impressions because of their patience and generosity; Scott Thibault is one of them. Scott shared his transmission shop, tools, and his after-hours time to press bushings and teach me about transmissions. I owe him much.
Kyle Drake and I cruised the Kansas City streets; he was in his 1968 Roadrunner, I in my 1969 Dart. Kyle has always been one of my best Chrysler friends. He and his family trusted their Superbirds, Roadrunners, Little Red Express Truck, and other TorqueFlites with me. I am deeply indebted to Kyle and his late father and mother, Dick and Beverly Drake.
Bob Craighead, a terrific Service Trainer for Chrysler, shared information about A-904s, A-727s, and FWD A-404s/413s/470s and A-604s. Bob provided so much to me on his own time; I am honored to be able to use this book to share some of his wisdom.
Stuart Davis, one of my best Chrysler Corporation engineering friends, was instrumental in setting me on the right path with many of my projects; I thank him for the support on this one. John Donato, a “factory” TorqueFlite expert, provided valuable information and support years ago and again on this project. Thank you both.
Some books are boring without decent photographs and getting them requires skill. Brandon Waldrop suggested the hardware I should buy and he walked me though the basics of using it all. Dennis Hedberg took time to “dial me in.” Paul Catlett and I worked together for years and when it comes to shooting inanimate objects with tough-to-see details, Paul is one of the best. I very much appreciate their help.
Being on the streets in some of the best years (late 1970s and early 1980s), people ended up in parking lots with owners of similar types of cars. Stuart Bays, Barry Spillman, Tom Palmer, Clark Riddle, and Mark Breeding were out and about in Mopars. When they needed transmission help, I was honored to have been allowed to “experiment” with theirs.
The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization exposes high school students to the technologies and skills needed in today’s workplace. Designing, building, and testing 120-pound, 5-foot-tall robots in six-week build periods requires ultra-dedicated students. My daughters, Emma and Becky, were on their winning high school FIRST Team (#1987) and it was then (as a mentor) that I worked with the Team’s CAD expert, Logan Smith. Because of his tremendous design and drafting skills, I asked Logan to help illustrate many sections of this book. Kenzie Settle, another FIRST Team #1987 member, was also responsible for the Team’s CAD work, and she provided more of the illustrations. Logan and Kenzie, thank you.
It is because of the generosity of my automotive friends over the last 37 years that I was able to amass all of the valuable references used for this book; thank you all.
One of the most honest repair shops (Steve’s Auto Service) in the Kansas City area is run by the Hollo family: Steve Sr., Steve Jr., and his son, Joey. Since 1969, the shop has been known for its integrity and honesty. I married into the family and am forever grateful.
In the early 1980s, R. Michael Noe took the time to highlight a few parts I left out of an exploded view of an A-727. I wondered why he knew so much and learned that he was a final inspector at the Kokomo TorqueFlite Assembly plant. Michael arranged a tour of the Kokomo plant and he helped me throughout the years. I appreciate his help and friendship.
Mick Dobbins spent a lot of evenings in 1982 drawing the first diagrams that demonstrated what was on when the TorqueFlite was operating. His work was invaluable then and I appreciate even more now the time he spent with that drafting pencil.
Jerry McLain is a Chrysler parts expert and I asked him to help me complete the list of TorqueFlite numbers. Having collections of parts manuals on Microfiche, I knew he would help, and for the ones he lacked, he had a guy who helped fill in the blanks, Brent Piburn. Brent opened his machine shop and library so I could review and copy parts books and training publications. For newer numbers, I turned to a current parts manager, Mike Gibbons. These three (and Bob Craighead) helped me compile part numbers of TorqueFlites.
When you do anything with TorqueFlites, converters soon enter the conversation. I met Kris Abrahamson of Continental Torque Converters in the late 1980s. He was known for his ability to build converters
