Well I got my taps reset(big thanks to Mike for walking the tech through it) and have gotten her trained. I figured I would drive her a bit and see how she handled before i said anything. I drove for a few days before I could get it set to fast learn and the allsion didnt quite know what to do. It kicked on the ABS a few times coming to a slow stop it downshifter so hard. Upshifts were a bit flakey too and all too hard. Set my 125 J/A to 125hp and no defuel and low boost fueling to level 5. It shifts great now though, 1-2 is actually a bit smother than stock at low throttle(I was never 100% happy with the way it shifted, it felt like it was defueling hard and shifting hard). I noticed that my trans temp was running a bit hotter than before. It has been dropping since the install and is pretty close to normal operating temp after 500 miles. It never hit over 200 but it still ran hotter than before, seems to be getting better though, I assume because the clutches and stuff are seating themselfs and such? I also get a sound like a handfull of gravel in my converter sometimes when i am going very slow slowing down and no throttle applied. I have been told this is normal for a 3 disk. All in all quite happy, you can feel when the 3 disk kicks in and it feels stronger when you are on it at higher speeds. A real nice stock feeling shift, if i didnt tell someone they would never guess any "performance" goodies had been added to the trany.....well except you can realy feel the converter lock up, feels like a gear change.


Ok, thats my impression. I'll let you guys know about some details of the install, if nothing else you guys will be able to see that Murphy lives in my garage. It should also give you guys that are on the fence about doing it yourself the confidence since if a dumbass like I can get all back together surely you can too! I did keep my spirits up the whole time though and actually had a good time doing it! Any other project take me 3 days total and about 1.5 longer than I planed and wrenches woulda went flying. I guess for any average joe that is going to be doing this I will say dont do what I did, dont overlook things, dont try to do the internals of a trany for the first time on limited sleep, dont rush yourself, and basicly just dont F up. I did all this in a pit BTW and the alli work on a custom made a little bracket dealy like the kent more thingy to stick the alli into an engin stand via the PTO cover. I placed a junk radiator on the work bench and that helped keep things from swimming in atf and it kinda cussions the hard parts. I would say that doing it in a pit or with a hoist is a must, I would hate to do it on my back. Also have atleast another guy there to help. A regular set of tools(about the only thing goofy beside my goofy custom made stuff) although a realy long extension helps with the bellhousing/motor bolts. The book mike has is a big help too. The innards of the alli are really not that bad and it was actually fun being in there, weight of the alli semms to give the biggest problems..


Lesson # 1. Thankfully I learned this one dissasembly and not reasembly. While taking the converter bolts lose one fell off the end of the socket and into the bellhousing, not a big deal, it will flop out when we yank the trany. Hmmmmmmhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif......but it would suck, blow, and swallow if it were to happen on reasembly since I am doubting the ability to fish it out and the alli dont have a bottom cover like a regular trans. Better not let it fall! A blob of grease on the bolt to help keep it sticky in the socket and a carefull hand and no bolts went MIA. I also found it easier to insert the bolts from the bottom with a deep socket and short extensoin with a bud guiding m

Great write up.


It's alot of work, but very worth it in the long run. Think of how much more you know about the Allison than before. I made some big mistakes when doing mine also, but that's all part of the learning process. As long as the mistakes only cost you time, its all good.

Funny stuff. Good reading. I'm tired

I love real life storys from the pits. When you want something done bad enough, you will find a way. I will bet that ratlover (Philip) carrys this attitude in everything he does, a lot of you guys do that I have talked to. My hat is off to you guys. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


mike

Eric's demo and getting to talk to him at JK's openhouse gave me loads of confidence, actually he made it look so easy I was proabably over confidenthttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif but without everybody's help from the board like Mike, Eric, and John for oraganizing the demo, and all the other guys that I have talked to via the phone or PM or just droping tidbits in posts it really made life much easier. Now that I'm not so much like a kid on Christmas with a new toy and I can actually remember to thank all you guyshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif. The members of this place made it doable.


THANK YOU!!!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

great post..............should have been a writer......has the tone of Mark Twain...Glad it all worked out well with no left over snapringshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Hey Mike, did ya hear what he said?? "We make it look easy"


Boy Phil, if only you could be around me more often, I have a tendency to make things harder then they are for some odd reason, Things went very smooth at JK's and that helped, good thing too, I didnt want everybody to think I was a doof....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Glad you goter done, its a huge task for the first timer, I (and others) have the luxery of having all the correct equipment on hand and the tools lined up etc. I also give a hats off to those who attempt this on there own. Not a small undertaking by any means.

I'll have to say I needed some help from a few friends.........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif


But now I can see what I have been missing for 36K miles. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif


I have my own story to tell, best told in person I think.........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif


Lets just say,


We Got 'ER DONE !!!!!!!





Tony

Glad it all worked out well with no left over snapringshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Yup, only ended up with a few extra peices but those must get eliminated to shave weight or thats my though anyway.......whats that big metal hooked finger looking dealy do in a stock allison, I think it came out of the back 1/2 somewere? Bout 6" long with a big hooked end and a little spring on it, pivots on a massive pin.


On a side note: I really wish Joe woulda been able to find a way to keep park but everything is a compromise at times I guess. Does ATS retain park? I just use the parking brake so its no biggy but the first time really gets your attention. Almost ran over a midget at the quicky mart, Joe should really at least put in the directions about not having park anymore, it could be dangerous.

If you DIDNT end up with extra springs, you didnt get all the pieces inhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

Speaking of parking pin.





The replacement spring and "pin" does that really seem like a good idea with the Transgo kit?


Could be why you lost park.





Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Kinda freaks people out when they see springs all over the floor. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


I did find the easiest way to get them off was the drill bit method as described in the destructions, you bend it one way and back the other and they pop off prety easy without mangling the plate. Better were your safety gaggleshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif though. Every once in ahwile the spring or the drill bit goes rocketing off and the springs appear to have some sorta homing device built in and lock onto your eyeball.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


I used the stock spring since I didnt mangle it on install. There is another pin? I didnt really look at that bag close since I kept the stocker intact.


Another note about pins.


Pin PITA #1 Bout lost the little bastard that the spool valve for the gear selection has on the end of it when I yanked the valvebody. The book aint joking about be careful here and pay attention.


Pin PITA #2 the parking pawl pin(BIG diameter dude) is much easier to get in if it is clean and dry. Its a tight fit and if you cleaned it and then used atf as an assembly lube on it like everything else it will be a PITA to push down in its home, dry it and the hole good and it will drop into the case. Also yank it when you yank the back cover and the pawl, it will do a good job of sticking in there but it may eventually fall out and I'm sure if your luck is like mine it will plop out and you will step on it and end up on your rear or it will roll under the bench to go MIA causing a large man hunt....it will feel spring loaded when you grab it but dont worry.


Also another big worth mentioning for you DIYers. I was lucky enough to not do this(or atleast it hasnt shown itself yet) Be carefull about installing the c3 and c4 apply piston. The grove can be sharp and damage the piston. This warning is from Mike.

Glad it all worked out well with no left over snapringshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Yup, only ended up with a few extra peices but those must get eliminated to shave weight or thats my though anyway.......whats that big metal hooked finger looking dealy do in a stock allison, I think it came out of the back 1/2 somewere? Bout 6" long with a big hooked end and a little spring on it, pivots on a massive pin.*


On a side note: I really wish Joe woulda been able to find a way to keep park but everything is a compromise at times I guess. Does ATS retain park? I just use the parking brake so its no biggy but the first time really gets your attention.*Almost ran over a midget at the quicky mart, Joe should really at least put in the directions about not having park anymore, it could be dangerous.

WAS THIS THE GUY..?


*http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/DA8_22700-1f.jpg

I dont think so, the midget I saw was going more for the whole circius midget look as apposed to the pissed off biker into bondage.....who's they guy in the strechy shorts? Mackin?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

I dont think so, the midget I saw was going more for the whole circius midget look as apposed to the pissed off biker into bondage.....who's they guy in the strechy shorts? Mackin?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif





Nope I'm the Midget thats Big Dipper in the Converse snickers.





Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I dont think so, the midget I saw was going more for the whole circius midget look as apposed to the pissed off biker into bondage.....who's they guy in the strechy shorts? Mackin?<IMG id=chkImg1 onmouseover="this.style.cursor='hand'" onmouseout="this.style.cursor=''" alt="Click on image to open in new window" src="smileys/Clown.gif" name=chkImg2>


*


Nope I'm the Midget thats Big Dipper in the Converse* snickers.


*


Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

that dipper what a beasthttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Yeah....that's me in the ball huggers.......now you guys get back to talkin trucks and stop staring at my sausagehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

Yeah....that's me in the ball huggers.......now you guys get back to talkin trucks and stop staring at my sausagehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif








Was wondering why one sock looked bulkier than the other George. Guess you got to keep it somewhere. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


mike

Thats you? Doesn't look anything like your high school wrestling picture..


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/52B_maintimetogiveup.jpg


Tea anyone?


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Thats you? Doesn't look anything like your high school wrestling picture..





I didn't know I wrestled you......anyway, sorry about craming my package in your face......I never did like the way the red uniform made me "feel"......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


......good thing I didn't get a tuffy in that position.....could have choked you to death....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif.....would have given a new definition to the word submission.....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifROFLhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


all in good fun...a tuffy...that kills mehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifROFLhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


all in good fun...a tuffy...that kills mehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif





......the first time I ever heard someone use that term was actually the Middle School Wrestling Coach......lol.Edited by: BIG DIPPER