Forward Clutch Apply Ring Question

[GBH]

Guys,
- My tranny guy pulled my old 200-4R trans apart last week, and has a question about the forward apply ring. The trans had a Pro-Built modified TransGo kit, and worked fine; the 1-2 accumulator spring was broken when I got the trans, and there were rumors that the car it was in before was a demo derby car. It did seem to work fine after I installed the kit. IIRC, it was a stock '82 trans.
- I drove it hard probably six months prior to failure. The trans failed on a hard 1-2 upshift at 6200rpm behind a ~350HP engine; BANG, then nothing.

- The problem is that the forward apply ring is mashed where the ends come together. I'm not dumb enough to do neutral drops, and I don't know what else could have caused this. The trans was used when I got it, and not disassembled until last week.

- Is this probably a prior condition? If not, what else could have mashed the apply ring? Is this unusual, and would it be worthwhile to have my machinist buddy cut a new solid ring on the lathe?
- Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Glen

 

[GBH]

Hmmm... Went today and looked at the carnage myself. The forward clutch pack was completely smoked(clutch material gone, steels warped), the apply ring mashed where the ends come together, the piston bent, the drum scored, and the seal blown.
That would explain the no forward gears....

 

[quickt]

Look for a number on the inside of the apply ring. If the number is 6 then someone used the wrong apply ring in the forward clutch. I have seen the 6 apply ring used in the forward clutch and if you look at the center of the wave plate you will see that it does not apply in the center and will push the center of the clutch pack up kinda like a cone. Hard to explain but you will get the picture. I dont even use the stock apply rings anymore I have them made in alum so they apply across the whole surface.

 

[GBH]

Thanks, quickt. I didn't look for a number on the ring, but that describes exactly the way the clutch pack looked when it came out. I'll check the part and let my tranny guy know. And make sure that he didn't try to use another 6.

Muchas gracias,

-Glen

 

[quickt]

Use the 6 in direct and the 18 in forward.