New transmission arrived today.

[1970pelle]

Sunday was a very sunny day here in N.E. Florida. A friend and I planned on trailering his Harley to my house for a quick spring tune up, before Bike Week.
I felt I finally had the 86 C20 ready to go for its first road test. I hooked up the small trailer (5X10) to pick up the bike on. I had to drive across town about 35 miles. My truck after reaching operating temperatures when I would lift off the throttle just the slightest the transmission would downshift. This is a speeds around 45-50 mph. Then if I tried to push on the transmission would start to slip. Meaning the rpm's would rise and the truck would not go. If I back the speed down and tried to cruise the transmission would shift in and out of gear. The max speed I was able to gain in all of this was 45 mph, then everything would just go crazy.
I'm just sick over this, the trans fluid is not burnt at this time. And by the temp gauge I haven't let the transmission overheat. I have been very easy on my break in of the engine and transmission, plus all the other new and rebuilt parts that I have used when putting the truck back together.

I sure hope TCI and there Warranty Department are on the ball. I have all my, stuff in order. I even took a line pressure test, but don't know if the numbers I have will help.
I thought I had everything covered. New radiator, new transmission cooler, new flywheel, all new mounts, new transmission lines. Nothing old.

But it could be worse. So tomorrow is another day. Ken

[1970pelle]

Talked with TCI trans this morning. Rep said to remove trans oil pan to see if oil filter had drop off valve body. If so reinstall and road test. If not call back and they will arrange for a pick up of the transmission.

Ken

[1970pelle]

A few pictures of the material found in trans oil pan. I left everything as I found it. I simply reinstalled the pan and buttoned it up. Then removed to get it ready for pick up.

Ken

[1970pelle]

So far TCI transmission has been very quick about taking care of things. I pulled the trans out and had it at the Speed Shop first thing Thursday morning. And UPS picked it up this morning. I figure a month of down time.

So I'll tear both my doors down and have the vent window assemblies rebuilt.
And install the suspension drop while its taking up garage space. And if I get really excited start on the three rust spots I have to deal with.

Pictures to follow.

Ken

[Front Range]

You jumped through some hoops on that transmission. With any luck the replacement will be a better experience.

[1970pelle]

Well after biting my finger nail for two weeks waiting on news from TCI transmissions. It seams that it was a front pump failure, which caused the unit to stop working as designed. So they have shipped out a new replacement. And hopefully by next weekend I may be rolling again.

A side issue. After many phone conversations and E-mails before the trans was picked up for warranty inspection. No body ever mentioned that the tranny need to be placed on a shipping pallet and banded down.
So the FEDEX drive refused to picked up the trans the first night, because of no shipping pallet. It didn't come on a pallet, the Speed Shop guy told him. It was shipped in a box. So we get a pallet and strap the trans down, convertor in a box. Off it goes, the trans makes it to TCI, but the convertor is who know where?? So I'm stuck buying a convertor again till Fedex finds the convvertor.
I'm still happy.

Ken

[slotard]

Did the converter box have a label on it? Insurance?

[1970pelle]

Originally Posted by slotard

Did the converter box have a label on it? Insurance?

Oh yea It was tagged. Had a print out from TCI attached to the box, plus a Fedex tag with paper work inside it. It will turn up, somebody just wasn't paying attention.

[1970pelle]

Its been a while since my TCI trans failure. And I still don't have a replacement. I have called several times after being told no worries there sending a replacement. I waited about 10 days and called again, left a message as always. They finally call me back, there communication skills need work. That's something I had chose to with hold till now, I'm getting frustrated with them.
So I get a E-mail from the rep from TCI telling me they repaired my old transmission. And have not shipped it yet, after telling me they where going to replace the unit with another one. And ship it. What has change?
Back to the Torque Converter issue, where is the converter. It was missing in action. The shipping company did track it down and its back in Jacksonville, waiting to be shipped to TCI.

That's where we are at. I wish I had bought a trans local.

Ken

[cadillac_al]

I went through the same thing many years ago. I bought some heavy duty stage 2 th 350 and it lasted about a week. I would have had to pay to ship it back. I didn't want to spend any more good money after bad so I now have a $700 hunk of steel and aluminum to sit in the garage. I have had good luck with used trannys since then but if I needed a rebuild I would get it done locally or tackle it myself.

I hope they didn't just throw a pump in your trans and called it good. It doesn't sound too promising especially with the weak customer service and communication.

[1970pelle]

My trans showed up Friday. They fixed the unit I sent back, which is something they said they would not do. They did not include anything telling me what was done to the trans, ref. repair or placed parts. They did repaint the outer case, poorly I will add.
I'm a bit leery of the trans, because of the lack of communication from TCI during this whole warranty process. It was like pulling something from a small child, to get any information on what was happening or not happening.
I would like to voice my dissatisfaction, but I don't know who to do that with?
Comp Cams ?

The torque converter issue, FedEx did local the lost converter and returned it. Hard to believe it went where it did, with all the marking on the box. The box sure took a beating. I did contact TCI that the converter was located and there reply was, it is to late there warranty claim was closed.

I have been taking pictures of my every move with this trans. I just don't like this. We'll see.

[Front Range]

Might consider not accepting it as is. If they stated in writing they would not return the same transmission you should be able to fight it or deny a credit card charge. Don't know if it's worth the hassle to you or not. I'd be concerned that they are stating the claim is closed, how can that be when you have no idea whether or not the replacement works correctly or whether the lost converter has been damaged in transit? If you can't get a TCI rep on the phone to get it straightened out then denying them payment should get their attention.

When this is all done, consider posting a review in the Vendor section so other people can weigh it before making a purchase. I've read less than stellar reviews about TCI in the past an it's good to have another persons experience to draw on.

[Jake Wade]

So, you don't have a converter?

[1970pelle]

I'm waiting on a new converter. Should be here Monday morning.

I paid cash for the trans.

I'll install the unit, and take pressure readings. I can compare them to the unit before at first start up and just before pulling it.


Ken

[1970pelle]

An update to my slow truck build. The trans is back in the truck. The one thing that was a big difference, the amount of shims need at the convertor. Last time two shims, this time I barely slide the convertor forward and it dropped out of the front pump. I ended up using three 3/8 spacers and three longer bolts to get everything to TCI's spec's. I even called to double check myself on this, I was a bit thrown from the difference. TCI Tech said I was good to go. I haven't run the truck yet, it's still in lowering install mode.
And I started on the stock wheels while off. Today I wet sanded the front two wheels. I'm going back with a bright white and the stock small caps. I had bought a set of the aluminum wheels from a late model 3/4 chevy. And the correct double threaded lug nuts, but I'm having second thoughts on running them. I think my truck will look better lowered with the stock wheels. We'll see.

[cadillac_al]

Are you going for a brighter white than the factory white on your wheels? I did that once and didn't like it. If that's your plan then disregard my opinion. If you are going for the factory look then you may want to research the correct wheel color.

I'm not a fan of spacers between the flexplate and torque converter. That's the biggest reason why I never use trans adapters. I sure can't figure out why they are needed with yours but it may be the non stock torque converter has slightly different dimensions. Best of luck getting it finished.

[1970pelle]

I'm going with a Ford color from the 60's, called Wimbledon White. This color of white has a little bit of black and yellow in it. I have owned seven 1964 Ford Fairlane's in my life. Its my most loved car of all.
But I think it will work great for the wheels on the truck, not to our powering bright. Thanks for the input.

I have found when ever using a aftermarket torque converter, shimming it is always required. If the converter is a higher stall speed. Which I'm using a 2400 rpm stall converter.

The high points of owning a lathe is being able to make your own parts. I turned the three spacers I needed from stainless steel rod I had. It adds time to a job. But I get the enjoyment of knowing I made it. Add three grade 8 bolts and some lock tight.

Go to the any drag strip and you will find a bunch of guys who have used washer. To shim there converters, those are the ones I would worry about.

Ken

[GRADYS Performance]

What did you set your converter clearance at?