Extreme Valve Body - just installed

[dansawyer]

Is there a way to create a 'lock' switch for the converter. It would seem there would be many times when the ability to lock the torque converter would be useful. Why is it set to 45 plus MPH? Why not a lower speed?

 

[RockDoc]

If it locked at a lower speed, you wouldn't get much power from the 3FE at the point it locked up. As it is in stock form, it drops the engine to 1800 or 1900 rpm when it locks. Locking at a lower speed in a lower gear would be fine, but that would likely need a whole new VB design, rather than a tweaking like Wholesale offers.

 

[62LostInMn]

The A440F has a totally mechanical lock up circuit based on fluid and spring pressure. About the only way to change the lock up speed is to put a longer or shorter spring in the valve body. Later transmissions that are electronically controlled have electric solenoids on the valve body assembly and the vehicle computer controls shift points and lock up. Wholesale Automatics makes a lock up switch kit for some of those systems so you can control lock up manually. I agree that would be great to have, but it's not workable on this tranny.

 

[Mwade82]

RockDoc, are you still happy with the Extreme valve body you put in? And thanks for the great writeup back when you did the work. Really well done.

 

[RockDoc]

Yup, still one of my favorite upgrades.

 

[darrell75]

I've been looking into this and more than likely going in the same direction but I can't get through to the West Coast Cruisers which is a shame because I'm located in San Diego. Is the other supplier for these parts?

 

[Spook50]

Read through this thread again since the wife OK'd getting one if I concede to keeping the A440 in the 62. With just under 300K miles it's still shown next to zero wear, and I'd like to add as much to its life span as I can at this point. An external cooler will be a definite, but if changing the valve body will also help with the tranny's longevity I'm all for it.

Hopefully I can find a US based distributor to get it through if/when the funds are available.

 

[J2P]

You guys have to remember that buying from Rodney also means you pay shipping for the core return to Australia. For me from Canada it was $400.

 

[wardharris]

Just a note - Cruiser Brothers is now North American agent for Wholesale Automatic Transmissions - Nomad VB Kits, TC Lock Up Kits, billet torque converters and complete transmissions.

We order from Melbourne every two weeks and have stuff in stock.

Please call 1-800-224-7801 for info. Website is being remodeled.

Cheers!

 

[hazard]

Hi All. Just finished doing this myself. I can add a few tips. After you remove the valve body etc. Clean the piston holes, springs holes etc. very well and make sure they are oil free. That way, especially if you use a thick assembly grease, they will stay in lace and its easy to do by yourself. Cheers

 

[kea 414]

Hi, All
Did this a few weeks ago.
Had no 2nd gear. Had to send back.
Want to reinstall my original valve body.
Had to buy new gasket for valve body and need manual for A440F.
I found on forums before. Not finding now.
Any help greatly appreciated, Michael

 

[hazard]

You guys have to remember that buying from Rodney also means you pay shipping for the core return to Australia. For me from Canada it was $400.

i only shipped core to Cruiser Bros in California. They were very helpful as i didnt ship core for 6 months

 

[J2P]

Hi, All
Did this a few weeks ago.
Had no 2nd gear. Had to send back.
Want to reinstall my original valve body.
Had to buy new gasket for valve body and need manual for A440F.
I found on forums before. Not finding now.
Any help greatly appreciated, Michael

When I did mine 6 years ago I missed a step on assembly because it was missing in the instructions. I can’t remember anymore but I called them and climbed under and reassembled and has been great.

 

[EversHZJ73]

@RockDoc. Could you point me to the directions for setting the Manual Valve rod. I just installed mine and have the same issue you did at first with no “1st gear”.

Thanks