727 tranny - which engine will it fit - big or small block mopar ?

[Clyde9]

From: denison  (Original Message)    
Sent: 1/20/2006 4:54 PM

I was given a 727 transmission with the parking brake drum mounted on the tail-shaft - from a motorhome. The motorhome and engine are long gone, and the giver doesn’t know which engine it had. I would like to rebuild it for my Winny, but I want to know if it will fit my 413 big block. Does anyone know how to tell the difference? There is no i.d. tag on it anywhere.


The maximum bell housing width is 18-3/4 inches, as measured in the picture. The radius from center of input shaft to the mounting hole circle is 8-1/4 inches. The radius from center of the input shaft to the outer circular rim of the case is 8-3/4 inches. There are too many things in the way for me to easily measure the outside of the bell-housing on my motorhome .


   
From: Im-still-Lefty    
Sent: 1/20/2006 10:02 PM

Denison, I found this... Might help you to identify it. the first tells where to find the O.E part # (7 diget) the sec. tells what part # came from what rig.

Here's the first set, the 7 diget # is what you want to match.


And finally, if the original transmission has been replaced by the dealer, it will have one of these part # stamped on it. instead.

Hope this gets you going... I didn't know they used so many different ones. Lefty



From: Im-still-Lefty    
Sent: 1/20/2006 10:12 PM

From the chart, I can see that on models with a 413, and 440 both available. They used the same transmission i.d. #. On models with a 318, the part # is different. Later years of course only list the 440 as the 413 was discontinued, but I'd be willing to bet that if the i.d. # you find says that the Tranny came from either a 413 or 440 vehicle, regardless of year, it'll work. If it  i.d.'s out to be from a 318 vehicle, likely it wouldn't fit, or it wouldn't be H.D. enough for a big block. , Lefty



From: denison    
Sent: 1/21/2006 9:08 PM

Thanks for your efforts Lefty. I found the numbers on the tranny case: PK3681867. . . 4813. . .5664.
But; I didn’t find any of the same #s in my parts catalog or the list you posted. I guess I will have to make up a jig to measure the diameter of the big block tranny bell housing below me. (Im sitting on the passenger seat, my feet over the engine cover, laptop on my knees).



From: Slantsixness   
Sent: 1/31/2006 8:04 AM

Actually, Both 273/318W/318/360 and 361/383/400/413/426/440 727 transmissions are all the same internally, the torque converters can be different from different years.

The main difference is:

The bell-housings (Front bell bolt pattern and size) are different from B/RB enignes (361/383/400/413/426/440) and LA engines (273/318/318W/340/360)
There are also tail-shaft length differences:
Car and some 2WD  trucks, 4" tail shaft from mount.
Truck 8" or 12" from mount
4X4 tail-shaft for transfer case (cast or aluminum)

No need here to discuss the 3rd version, for the 170/198/225 Slant Six, but it is again, just a Bellhousing difference.

(lastly there are also mid 50's motors that use the 727 for the 331 through 392hemi and other motors, but only with an adapter plate you have to buy, as these early motors do not have the bell extension on the engine block)

It depends on the year and application. The 727 is the "Heavier duty" transmission in any application, unlike the light-to-medium duty A-904 used in cars and some light duty Pickup Trucks.

I have never seen a motor home chassis with anything but a 727, if it's automatic (yes there is a 4speed manual). I wouldn't like to see what would happen to the medium duty A-904 if it were used. It certainly wouldn't last long!

Tom