you wont have any issues with that part........just make sure when you put the race on that when holding the drum the outer race and sprag facing up, that the outer race free spins in the clockwise direction. it will go on both ways, if backwards you will feel stopping power the instant you go into second gear like you never dreamed was ever possible........I know this from personal mess up................I will never ever make that mistake again. lol
I've read that a few times that it MUST be put in properly or I'm in trouble! I've burned that into my brain for sure lol
UPDATE: Today I bit the bullet and ordered a custom built 9.5" torque converter from Jim Weise at TSP. So a transgo 1-2 kit and a new flex plate from TA is all that is left to get for this TH400 rebuild.
So my transgo kit showed up last week but I've been super busy with work. Now that all the pieces are here it's time to find some time to drop the trans and get to it!
No it goes on the direct drum on a smooth surface and only goes one direction, locks up if you try to turn it counterclockwise. If you put it on the wrong way and assemble the trans the first time out you'll know you made a big mistake
There were 2 type of direct drums used in the 400, 1st is the earlier builds which used a smooth inner race but only a 16 element sprag. 2nd is a roller sprag which has the sawtooth looking inner race. Only the 1st design is upgradable to a 32 element sprag. The 2nd design is better at holding than the 1st.....until you upgrade the sprag. You can also find this smooth drum in the newer 4l80 transmission. Oddly enough in the early years of production the low sprag was also a multi element design, it was change out in favor of the roller design b4 the direct drum coming from gm.......per my conversation the other day with a rep. from coan specifically about this low roller.......they feel that roller design in this location is more than adequate for the the needs, and even in their own designed reaction carriers use a roller set up not a multi element unit. He indicated he didnt feel its would be worth the this issue to locate on for the internal component lightening I plan to be doing