Hi all,

I have a '78 1/2 ton longbed truck with a 225. I was wondering why it uses a 727 instead of a 904. I know the obvious answer is because it's a truck, but it's only a 1/2 ton, and it doesn't have any towing options on it. I can't see a slant six damaging a 904 with decent cooling, so why have all the extra drag?

The 904 auto isn't that strong of a transmission unless it has been gone through and several racing componets installed. The 727 was installed because it would be absolutely bulletproof behind a slant. The 727 can handle high load for a longer period of time. Also they didn't have to worry about fuel economy in a 78 truck either. Just my 2 cents worth.

Joel

/6 with a 727... would this be a setup that has the long sought after converter plate?

JHarris, good point about gas mileage. The situation for light trucks in '78 was no doubt different than it is today. As for the converter plate, I don't know. Do you mean a plate between the transmission and block, or do you mean a special flexplate?

Ok, I just looked at the truck. There is no plate between the block and transmission. This means that the transmission was made for a slant six originally. In turn, I can't see why it would have a special flexplate, rare or otherwise. Didn't all automatic trucks come with 727's back then?

My 1979 Dodge Truck service manual only shows the 727 transmission used on all engine options.
It goes on to say that lock-up torque converter is standard on all D100, AD100, and PD100 models under 6,000 pounds GVW without trailer tow.
Sometime in the 1980s they went to the A904T transmission for the Slant.
The "T" designation is for TRUCK.

In the mid 60's the slants used a v-8 727 with an adapter plate and the plate is sought after today as way to put a later smallblock od auto trans behind a slant as they were never offerd with a od auto trans.

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Ive got a slanted attitude and a heavy right foot.

Slants got their own 727 case in the early '70's. I think it was more a matter of use conditions than fear of the Slant horsepower...........

I've got a fresh /727 out in the garage. Makes a nice doorstop.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.