Direct clutch clearance, firmer 2-3!

[85 Riviera]

In Aug. I will be building another trans for my 403 powered Riviera. The trans is a 325-4L which is a FWD verson of the 200-4R, they even share the exact same clutches and band so anything that will work with the 200 I assume will be good for my 325.

Anyway now my question!

1. Awhile back I was informed that setting the clearance in the direct clutch to .038" was the best for firmest 2-3 shifts. Is this info on the clearance correct?

2. I rebuilt a few trans in the past but never have I check the clearance of the clutch packs, can anyone expalin the best way to do this and what all is involved?

3. I was also informed that getting the clearance needed can be done by using some forward steal plates in in place of the direct steal plates. Any done this before?
Thanks in advance guys

 

[chris718]

lets learn something here .the more oil you put behind the piston the better the clutch will hold .keep in mind there is also a limit on piston travel before you can damage the seals from overstroking ..060 to .080 is what you want in this application ,remember 200 PSI SENT TO 4 SQUARE INCHES BECOMES 800 PSI THE SAME 200 PSI SENT TO 6 SQUARE INCHES BECOMES 1200 PSI .THEREFORE YOU ARE APPLYING THE CLUTCHES FASTER AND W MORE FORCE INCREASING FIRMNESS AND LOAd carrying ability of the friction plates .anyone who says they can feel the difference between .030 and .060 has got to be kidding though .www.ckperformance.com

 

[chris718]

lets learn something here .the more oil you put behind the piston the better the clutch will hold .keep in mind there is also a limit on piston travel before you can damage the seals from overstroking ..060 to .080 is what you want in this application ,remember 200 PSI SENT TO 4 SQUARE INCHES BECOMES 800 PSI THE SAME 200 PSI SENT TO 6 SQUARE INCHES BECOMES 1200 PSI .THEREFORE YOU ARE APPLYING THE CLUTCHES FASTER AND W MORE FORCE INCREASING FIRMNESS AND LOAd carrying ability of the friction plates .anyone who says they can feel the difference between .030 and .060 has got to be kidding though .www.ckperformance.com

 

[85 Riviera]

Then what would be the best way to improve the 2-3 shift firmness, I havent had a problem getting 1-2 to a rock solid tire ripping shift but the 2-3 has not seemed so easy!

Thanks again for the replys!

 

[chris718]

dual feed direc t clutch or open the 3rd clutch feed hole in the plate and put in a stiffer band return spring.www.ckperformance.com

 

[85 Riviera]

"open the 3rd clutch feed hole in the plate " Are you talking about the separater plate of the valve body? or some other feed hole? I dont know which one your talking about, But i do understand that if this is done the servo will need a stiffer return spring to replace the lost pressure (for band push off) from the fast applying direct clutches.
if so how large should I inlarge this feed hole too?

Thanks again! this is helping big time!

 

[85 Riviera]

 

[chris718]

yes the seperator plate to about .125 www.ckperformance.com

 

[85 Riviera]

Thank you Chris, means very much to me. Also removing check ball #8 for firmer 1-2 shift, is that also a good idea?

 

[85 Riviera]

BTTT

 

[chris718]

dont have a 3254l manual but explain the function of the ball .

 

[85 Riviera]

From what I gather from compairing the 200-4R to the 325-4L is the #8 check ball in the 325 serves the same task as in the 200 so leaving the #8 check ball out of the trans would provide fluid to the servo band apply faster creating a firmer shift, Does this sound correct to you or are there any side effects.

Thanks in advance!

 

[chris718]

omitting the ball or making the hole too big will cause shift shock.www.ckperformance.com