SkinnyG's '61 Apache

[SkinnyG]

Walbro 450 arrived today.

4L80E parts are en route.

[SkinnyG]

Sprayed "Mouse Gray" (RAL 7005) which is a match for Ford Engine Gray on the firewall. This is the engine colour, as well as the final interior colour. PPG Delfleet Essential, mixed 6:1:1:3, the 3 being PPG DX-10-FLT flattening paste to get a semi-gloss. It might be a bit too glossy for me, but I don't exactly wash my vehicles often....

Cab will be going back on the chassis when the transmission is done.

[The Rocknrod]

Oh boy color.

[SkinnyG]

Machined the 4L80 Forward clutch hub, Center Support, and Reaction Carrier for torrington bearings. With a rollerized output shaft, this unit will be fully rollerized.

[SkinnyG]

Nothing new to report. Busy week with work and stuff.

Scrubbed the 4L80E case down in anticipation of reassembly. Scrubbing with lacquer thinner and a stainless brush on the outside, liberal hosing with Brakleen on the inside. All wrapped up tight and waiting for parts.

Haven't done much this week because I'm waiting, but it's Thanksgiving in Canada, and allegedly I should spend time with family....

[SkinnyG]

Swapping the Detroit TrueTrac into my 9" axle so that I'm at least doing something while waiting on trans parts, and things aren't making sense....

... Turns out I actually HAVE an LSD in there already, just a worn out one.

No matter. I still REALLY prefer the TrueTrac in a street vehicle. Need to pick up the correct ring gear bolts though.

I could always sell the old worn out one to someone....

[SkinnyG]

Exciting news - local auto parts store has the ARP Ford 9" bolts the correct length!

Exciting update - the shank is too long, and they will not work!

Exciting update - the original bolts, which could be shortened, look and feel "stretched" to me; I'm not going to use them!

Exciting update - ARP does in fact have the correct bolts, with the correct head, at the correct length, with the correct washers, with the correct diameter and length of shank to fit my Ford ring gear and Eaton TrueTrac differential. One week shipping....

[SCOTI]

Lot's of 'excitement' in that last post.

[SkinnyG]

Just because they make me feel so good:

[SkinnyG]

Most of the trans parts arrived, but we're prepping the house for replacement windows next week, so..... I'll get there when I get there.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Most of the trans parts arrived, but we're prepping the house for replacement windows next week, so..... I'll get there when I get there.

What I envision your typical week as....

[SkinnyG]

The umbrella up the poop shooter looks the part.

Outside of the day job, I'm in the midst of fitting the fuel pump, fitting the LSD, rebuilding the trans, prepping the yard for winter, and doing good dad and husband stuff.

Just had a nice visit from a friend who was recently diagnosed with very advanced brain cancer and may not last more than a few months. I admire his positive outlook and life focus (sorting out priorities). Helps me see the good in the world. Was a good visit.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

The umbrella up the poop shooter looks the part.

Outside of the day job, I'm in the midst of fitting the fuel pump, fitting the LSD, rebuilding the trans, prepping the yard for winter, and doing good dad and husband stuff.

Just had a nice visit from a friend who was recently diagnosed with very advanced brain cancer and may not last more than a few months. I admire his positive outlook and life focus (sorting out priorities). Helps me see the good in the world. Was a good visit.

Glad you both had the opportunity to make each others day.

[SkinnyG]

TRANS MOD 1: Rollerized Output

I used a Late 4L80E pump bushing (0.700" wide), protruding 0.100" into the case, with 0.125" protruding out back, assisted by red loctite and staked in place. Other people use an Early 4L80E pump bushing (0.550" wide) or a TH400 case bushing (0.615" wide) or a Sonnax "No Walk" bushing installed backwards. The original case bushing is 0.419" wide, and rests in a 0.475" wide bore.

A TH350 pump bushing (AC Delco 9436851) is placed inside, black side against the case, with about 0.020" shims underneath.

This mod helps deal with huge amounts of rearward thrust that the 4L80E sends to the back of the case.

[SkinnyG]

This setup needed a 0.025" shim to get the end play within 0.003-0.008" rollerized end-play. Bearing-Cam (black side DOWN):



TRANS MOD 2: Rollerized Reaction Carrier

The reaction carrier gets machined to fit a TH350 pump bearing (2.875" OD, 0.075" deep):





The pump bearing needed to be clearanced to slip over the sun gear.

This setup needed zero shims to get the end play within 0.002-0.006" with the center support.



TRANS MOD 3: Rollerized Direct Drum

The center support gets machined to fit a TH350 pump bearing (2.875" OD, 2.125" ID, 0.375" deep):



MOD 4 Part 1: Dual-Feed Direct Clutch

Eagle-eyed viewers will notice the second sealing ring from the top has been removed. This is part of the Dual-Feeding modification. Roughly triples the application force of the Direct clutch.



With respect to the Rollerization of the Direct Drum, this setup needed 0.035" shim to get the drum 0.005-0.010" off the bottom:



Everything got installed into the case. Save yourself hours of arguing with the Center Support Snap Ring, and notice that one edge is chamfered. You can thank me later:



TRANS MOD 5: Heavy Duty Intermediate Snap Ring

Some say it's from a 727 Torqueflight, mine came in the TransGo kit. You can see the physical difference:



That's as far as I can go until my TH400 direct piston comes in....

[SCOTI]

Wish I knew more about this stuff on transmissions. Some cool tech going on in there.

[SkinnyG]

TH350 Pump Shim Kit:



With a little Silicon-Bronze TIG action:

[aggie91]

nice. I'm with SCOTI, I wish I need more on the trans stuff too. But, its all good since I know my limitations, I can justify spending the money with someone that does know. Just got to find the right balance between knowledge and costs.

[The Rocknrod]

Ya inside transmissions, whew. FM to me.

[SkinnyG]

I initially like to say I have little experience with Automatics, but then I got to thinking....

I did Chrysler A904 in high school. Then studied the A904 in my apprenticeship days and did another one. Then did a Ford FMX.

I built a Ford C4 with a "truck" case and "car" tailshaft and housing for a V8 Pinto I was building.

I did a TH350 for my V8 Pontiac Firefly, with extra clutch and internal dual-feeding, then helped a student do the TH350 for his K10. Then did the TH350 in my '77 C10 when it blew up.

Then did a 4L60E in an S10 that was donated to the school so I could sell the truck and help fund my program.

Now I'm doing a 4L80E.

So I guess technically this isn't my first rodeo, though I don't really consider myself a "transmission man." I tend to research things thoroughly, and seek to understand what it is I'm doing. I'll share it all in a video when it's done.

The ARP bolts for the LSD arrived, so I hope to get that done this weekend.

[SkinnyG]

"I can pay a pro to screw it up, or I can screw it up myself for free."

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

"I can pay a pro to screw it up, or I can screw it up myself for free."

True. But spending $$ for parts & investing your time only to spend more money for more parts after spending more time to TRY & figure out what went wrong only to ultimately determine what you thought was correct wasn't & then have to rinse/wash/repeat. Sometimes leaving things to those that do it daily isn't necessarily a bad move. Either can get it done.

Kudos to you regardless

[SkinnyG]

For sure. Many of my choices end up costing more than "paying the man," especially when it goes wrong. But in the process, I usually amass tools and such that make the next job easier/cheaper/a-new-more-expensive-mistake.

Having said that, I now have QUITE a collection of ARP ring gear bolts for Ford 9" axles. Nothing seems to fit my ring gear & Detroit TrueTrac. Anyone need some? The last ones ARP offers arrive Tuesday.

[SkinnyG]

TH400 direct piston arrived, as did the Sonnax Over-Run-Clutch thingie.

The piston allows me to fit a sixth clutch with just a bit of machining.

The Sonnax jobbie allows me to NOT smoke the trans if I forget to shift out of Square-D if I'm being stupid (or if someone else is driving).

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

...The Sonnax jobbie allows me to NOT smoke the trans if I forget to shift out of Square-D if I'm being stupid (or if someone else is driving).

That's they way my 200R4 is set up at first it was weird but I like it now.