Initial inspection of A500

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I hope you don't decide to go all out on a rebuild if you remove the pump and front drums. It's tempting, I know, but DON'T DO IT!!
 
The end play is perfect. But the sediment indicates fiber wear and the color indicates scorching. Was the torque converter scuffed where it rides in the bushing? That would indicate low fluid operation.
 
CudaFactHackJob said:
The end play is perfect. But the sediment indicates fiber wear and the color indicates scorching. Was the torque converter scuffed where it rides in the bushing? That would indicate low fluid operation.
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CudaFactHackJob said:
The end play is perfect. But the sediment indicates fiber wear and the color indicates scorching. Was the torque converter scuffed where it rides in the bushing? That would indicate low fluid operation.
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I don’t think so...I will grab a picture of it later today.
 
fshd4it said:
Not always. Early A500s use the narrow band, my '89 does. I believe the change came in '91 or '92.
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Thanks for the confirmation....I believe I have a narrow band based on my measurements. The Tranny came out of a 1991 Dodge Dakota.
 
Somebody put the wrong band in it. A 999 just came in and it has the 904 band somebody stuck in there. There's new Borg Warner 1.6 on ebay for $9.76 free shipping.
 
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42RH (A500) 1992 model year changes. 1991 would have a narrow band.

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904 band. 1.4" 1961 to 1993
904 band. 1.6" 1993 to 2003(same band as A500)
A500 band. 1.6" 1988-2004 In my parts catalog, this is the only band listed for the A500.
 
CudaFactHackJob said:
Does your front band measure 1.4"? There's a kevlar one on ebay for $26.99 free shipping. 382890223823
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There has always been controversy on the Kevlar bands. Some builders say the only thing good about Kevlar is it stops bullets, but doesn't absorb oil as well as the lining on a normal band, and unless the transmission was going into a race car or the like, they wouldn't use them, and then only at the customers insistence. It'd be interesting to see what TrailBeast, Kim, and Rusty have to say about this though.
 
I cut and weld C6 bands to install in the 2-speed Fordomatic. I shorten them and weld the strut in a new location. Stock bands and red eagle bands will burn easily if I cut them too quickly with my angle grinder, but the Kevlar bands won't burn until I get the metal red hot right next to the fiber. As far as what some book says, I've read that the A518 was strictly a lockup.
 
CudaFactHackJob said:
I cut and weld C6 bands to install in the 2-speed Fordomatic. I shorten them and weld the strut in a new location. Stock bands and red eagle bands will burn easily if I cut them too quickly with my angle grinder, but the Kevlar bands won't burn until I get the metal red hot right next to the fiber. As far as what some book says, I've read that the A518 was strictly a lockup.
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Not so. 1988-1993 for both the gas and diesel units, non-lockup converters. Lockup converters appeared in 1992.
 
Exactly. Published information can't be relied upon. I post what I know from my own experiences. Case in point, your parts catalog only shows the 1.6 band from 88-04 A500, but right above that is a post showing the 1.4 up thru 91. I don't rely on either one.
 
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CudaFactHackJob said:
Exactly. Published information can't be relied upon. I post what I know from my own experiences. Case in point, your parts catalog only shows the 1.6 band from 88-04 A500, but right above that is a post showing the 1.4 up thru 91. I don't rely on either one.
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Precisely why we always asked for the code number stamped on the converter to ensure the customer got the right one. Band wise, I can't say for a fact on the size, and my catalog only shows the one size. It's been a day or two since I was active in the industry and I don't have my old personal catalog that had a ton of my hand written notes. Typically information I got from my rebuilder friends.
 
plumkrazee70 said:
@MObarracuda Any updates?
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I completed the install of the shift kit and adjustment of the bands. Next is the install of Hotchkis 4014 subframe connectors. I got stupid and sold my pick up truck to my neighbor who is restoring it for his grandson. Since I’m truckless at the moment I paid more and purchase the Hochkis pre-fabbed units as I can’t go haul the steel home.

After I install the connectors then I need to get new motor 418 started and running on the old A904. Once that is done I will install the A500 with USCT bracket. Looking for July install of the 4 speed tranny. Work keeps getting in the way but I will get there.

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