I've been going round the block trying to get a manual valve body to work in my 727 for some time now. Here's the scenario.........
A couple of weeks ago I ordered a manual valve body from a IH vendor. Explained that I want to be able to start out in 1st, 2nd or third gear yada yada yada. They explain that they make them up per order and send it on it's way to me. I install it and it only works in first gear. Must be something wrong with it cuz the trans worked fine with the old body. I called the vendor and they were apologetic and sent me a new one right away. Well I needed the rig for a run that weekend so I put the old std. body back in and it worked fine. I then sent back the first one I bought. A couple of days later I get the replacement body and put it in this week. Went wheeling today and low and behold I still only have first gear. WTF? This is getting old.
I'm putting the std. body back in and leaving it this time. Question is what to do about the one I bought? There must be something wrong with my trans that it won't work with the manual valve body so I can't use it (anyone have a guess why?). It doesn't seem right to ask for a refund when the problem is on my end and the vendor has been more that helpful throughout this whole thing. I don't know if they can sell these two bodies they sent me so they may be stuck with them and I don't even know if they would give me a refund if I asked.
Other option would be just keep it for some day use or try to sell it to one of you guys.
What should I do?

Wish I could help you. The rock scout was stuck in 2nd most of that weekend, and it was a regular VB. Put your VB and our VB together, that'll fix it :D

I don't think it would hurt to ask if you can send it back, but I think something must be wrong in the installation or you are missing something in the instructions.

727's are pretty straight forward, and a manual valve body should work no matter what 727 it goes into provided all the parts are present and installed correctly.

Couple of questions, is it reverse pattern? when you move the shifter for the higher gear does it just stay in first or does it slip like no pressure to anything? I am assuming you got the low band apply in first? When you switched it back to stock body and it worked tells me it's not the tranny. Most chrysler manual vbs are reverse pattern, in other words 1st and 3rd change places in the shift pattern. I'm wondering if the flat where the shift lever bolts to is indexed right, although I think there's only been one type since 66, something screwy going on. Just thinking out loud.

I don't think it would hurt to ask if you can send it back, but I think something must be wrong in the installation or you are missing something in the instructions.

727's are pretty straight forward, and a manual valve body should work no matter what 727 it goes into provided all the parts are present and installed correctly.

I thought about this too but I'm not seeing what it could be I missed. There is nothing to it. It just bolts in with one large spring underneath it. No adjustments, no instructions, no nothing.

Couple of questions, is it reverse pattern? when you move the shifter for the higher gear does it just stay in first or does it slip like no pressure to anything? I am assuming you got the low band apply in first? When you switched it back to stock body and it worked tells me it's not the tranny. Most chrysler manual vbs are reverse pattern, in other words 1st and 3rd change places in the shift pattern. I'm wondering if the flat where the shift lever bolts to is indexed right, although I think there's only been one type since 66, something screwy going on. Just thinking out loud.

No it's not reverse pattern. The shifter is indexed the way it always has been. I should add that when it's shifted into 2nd or third it is still in first but it will free wheel when coasting. In manual first it has compression braking so I know at least the linkage is doing something.

You know the tranny half of the equation is good since it works just fine with the original VB. As you said, there is nothing to the new VB, just bolt it on....no other mods. The thing works fine with original VB, don't work with the new VB, I could only conclude that the problem is the new VB.

You know the tranny half of the equation is good since it works just fine with the original VB. As you said, there is nothing to the new VB, just bolt it on....no other mods. The thing works fine with original VB, don't work with the new VB, I could only conclude that the problem is the new VB.
I concure.

Talk with the vendor again... see what they have to say. Are they experianced this this VB, have they done the instaul themselves?? Ask to talk with the shop/company they puts the VB together for them.


I'm far from an auto expert, but because the tranny works with the stock VB, there is eather somthing unique about yout set-up, or the VB's you have been getting don't work right.


You could head over to Pat's and try it in his truck?? If it still doesn't work in his truck, then I would say its the VB.

It was quite a long time ago but I have converted a 727 valve body over to manual, and I remember it being fairly simple. What your explaining sounds like the new valve body has a problem. There may be some difference in the valve body's design. You could send them your valve body so you know it's compatable, but if you do and it doesn't work either your really screwed.

doubt it is your tranny send the VB back to the IH vendor and call Art Carr and get a full rev manual VB w/ compression braking, I have had mine for ever not a single prob.

Thanks for the input guys but I think I may know the problem. I think the trans is a different year than I thought it was. Still working on verifying that. There is some differences in the trans years and one of them is VB's.
I'll let you know when I find out for sure. :)

Talk to the vendor, and ask him how it was converted; i.e. was it a TransGo TF-3 kit, or some other brand kit, or was it a manual valve body by A&A or A-1 or someone like that? If it was supplied by someone like A-1 or Level 10, ask them if what they use to make it a manual valve body. I put a TransGo TF-3 kit in my buddy's sandrail, and we had several problems that we could not lick. After 3 rebuilds due to burned frictions and sticking gears, we called A&A and told him our problems. He asked if we were using the TF-3 kit, and said yes. He said that was the problem. He said there is a problem with the design of the TF-3 kit, and it does not work right. He also said he does not use it, and actually has his own design. We stepped up to the plate, bought his manual valve body (reverse pattern), and the problems magically disappeared. To this date, we have never had any more problems, and get over two years of hard use between refreshes. If it turns out from your research that you have a converted VB using the TF-3 kit, ask for your money back, and order a manual VB from A&A. Rick is good people, and will be more than willing to make suggestions to you to help your TF work right. Tell him Colin Rush in Portland, Oregon referred you.