First off I would like to thank Timinva for hanging in there through the torture of working on an A518. We had more than our share of problems working this old bucket of bolts. The DTT Torque Converter and Valve body mods are now complete. Everything is as it should be. I get a real seat of the pants acceleration in time with the engine, which I didn't have before and when WOT I get a respectable chirp off the duallies going into second. (They may not make the next inspection at this rate.) Over drive was the problem. The original O/D solenoid died and that left me without fourth for a while. Then we had old wire problems getting the new one to work. It all paid off and I am qutie pleased with the results. Now if Diesel fuel prices would come down to earth I could really enjoy driving again!

East Coasters, check out the events calender. We are having two get togethers in my neck of the woods. One on April 28. And one in June. Looking forward to meeting you.

 

That's awesome, I can't wait to get rid of my slush-o-matic conveter. How does it pull of idle when you let off the brakes? Does it really want to go when put in gear? Have you calculated your mileage increase yet?

 

It pulls like a Thoroughbred at the gate.

I haven't got the mileage up where I want it yet. The 190's seem to be over shadowing any advantage the torque converter may have. I gave my stock injectors to Tim to have them tuned up and I am thinking about running them when I am not playing. Meanwhile I am going to run up the star wheel and the smoke screw and see what effect that has on this three buck a gallon highway robbery.

 

where did you find the parts at and how reasonably priced are they?
Thanks!
Wheelo

 

I pondered this long and hard before I decided to have this done. I could have low balled it and spent half as much, but I have never been in an automatic and I need the truck every day. I went to Timinva on this forum and after talking to him several times I decided to let him do it. He even let me help.

The Torque Converter came from DTT. $750
The valve body was reused after installing new springs, spool valves and and actuator rods and doing some minor machine work. $375
There just aren't enough of the A518 valve bodies left out there so DTT would have to take yours and do the work and send it back.
The second gen flex plate was a take out from another truck $00.00
New steel deep pan, a gift from a friend. Holds two more quarts.
Experience and education........Priceless!

One other thing. Because of the trucks age and mileage we ran into some problems. The people at DTT stood behind their product and bent over backwards to get it right even though the problem was not theirs. I just wish every manufactor and service company would be half as helpful as they are.
I had to fill out a form and it was sent to DTT with the information needed and full payment for the torque converter so they could build a T/C right for my truck. It doesn,t get any easier than that.

Bottom line. You get what you pay for. I spent over two grand on this mod. Labor isn't cheap and neither is peace of mind. I should be good for another 50K on the old tranny. If I still have the truck then I may just throw in a 47RH with a lock up if I can find one later. If I had the money, it would have been this time.
I realize this is more than what you asked for, but I feel it needed some explaination.

 

Keep us updated on the mileage, I'm curious.
What did you build the tranny for? Driving, hauling, towing or just for reliability?

 

Thanks for the nice write up!
I been thinking of doing the same, but have never been inside of an automatic. Is it very complicated?
How much of this stuff would I be able to do without a machine shop?
Thanks!
Wheelo