BorgWarner M44
Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Transmission & Drivetrain
Forum Description: If it's between the engine and wheels, it goes here
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=98502
Printed Date: Apr/23/2024 at 10:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: BorgWarner M44
Posted By: Snake Oiler
Subject: BorgWarner M44
Date Posted: Feb/09/2019 at 3:28pm
| Hello all, I just got a 71 Javelin SST from a shop owner that is retiring. All is mostly fine with the car except he took out the M44 and said that the 2nd gear sleeve and drum is worn bad. I need those parts and a rebuild kit for the trans. It seems as if there is not a lot of info on the M44 online, so I landed here. I called some old trans, and some newbies haven't even heard of this model. While I have heard of it, it is not in the same conversations as the 727,904,450 etc. Any direction here would be appreciated. Thank you |
Replies:
Posted By: 69 ambassador 390
Date Posted: Feb/09/2019 at 3:51pm
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What engine do you have? ------------- Steve Brown Algonac, Mi. 69 Ambassador sst 390 84 Grand Wagoneer 69 Cougar XR7 65 Fairlaine 500XL 79 F-350 Super Camper Special |
Posted By: Snake Oiler
Date Posted: Feb/09/2019 at 3:53pm
| 304, but I was told it was hopped up a bit with a cam change, and it has headers and true duals. |
Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Feb/11/2019 at 6:19am
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M44 is about the same as the M35, just a bit stronger. You can get wear parts from Northwest Transmission ( http://www.nwtpats.com" rel="nofollow - www.nwtpats.com ). You may have to call. They list the T-35 (M-35) and a T-65, which was used in Australia and Europe under that designation. Count the oil pan bolts and see which one yours corresponds to (15 for M-35, 12 for M-65), or call them. The internal parts interchange (clutches and bands, gaskets and seals), but the drum and such may be different -- and very hard to find NOS. You may have to get another trans or find someone with a good used drum from a parts trans. Your other option is to ditch the BW trans and go with a 998, 999, built-up 904, or 727. I'd use in that order of preference. The 727 is the most bullet proof, but also takes 2x the power to just turn it over. It will take 10-15 hp more than the others. 998s are used behind stock 304s and in Eagles (4x4 of course), 999s in Jeep Wranglers (again, 4x4). I think a 904 output shaft and housing will work with a 998/999, but you need to check with shops/people more familiar with the 2WD conversion. 904s are used in all 72+ six cylinder cars (except big cars, which I think used a 998, and some rare HD optioned cars which used a 727 behind the six). You will need an adapter, but the AMC vendors sell a bolt-in one. In the end the swap to a TF might be the best bet, especially if you intend to "play" with the car a bit and keep it a long time. ------------- Frank Swygert |
Posted By: 401MATCOUPE
Date Posted: Feb/11/2019 at 7:33am
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If you can get me a picture of what you need, I have a lot of parts for those trans on the shelf. Maybe a picture from the Technical Service Manual OR send me pic of the actual part via Private Message. Ross ------------- Ross K. Peterson 68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar) 68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A 69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8 70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO 74MatX,401,AT,Prototype 74MatX,401,AT |
Posted By: Snake Oiler
Date Posted: Feb/23/2019 at 7:35am
| Thanks to all who responded. I called a NASCAR engine builder I know, and he sent me to a guy who rebuilds transmissions. I dropped it off to him and he was surprised that the main body of the transmission was aluminum and not cast iron. So he was doubting it was an M44 as it looked like one, but he said usually the center is cast while the bell housing and stem are aluminum. Anyway he concurred that 2nd gear was shot. He quoted $600+parts to rebuild and said he would be in contact if he needed any parts that he could not find. So I might be reaching out to a few of you on this. Thanks! |
Posted By: 304-dude
Date Posted: Feb/23/2019 at 8:27am
Mine is aluminum... It's pre 71 trannies that have iron centers. So I should be able to bench press that puppy when I get under it to pull the thing. It shouldn't be as far as the complete th400 with converter, starter and flexplate, that I had placed in my javelins trunk. ------------- 71 Javelin SST body 390 69 crank, 70 block & heads NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons 78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low 50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension 79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker |
Snake Oiler wrote:Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Feb/25/2019 at 8:53am
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Then he doesn't know Borg Warner transmissions as well as he thought. All the M3x and M4x are all aluminum. They were only used behind sixes and the smallest V-8 with 2V carbs only. V-8s with a 4V from the factory got the tougher M-1x series (M-11 or M-12, depending on year). But don't fret!! If he knows the M-1x series he also knows the M-3x/4x!! They were all essentially the same design, the M-3x and 4x just used the AL case and some lighter parts inside. Same gasket set applies to both, though there are a few subtle differences accounted for by having 2-3 gaskets for the same thing. That same gasket set also applies to the earlier M-8 and "M-10" as well as the early Ford trannys up to and including the FMX, which are license built Borg-Warner designs. Ford didn't deviate much from the BW design until their C-4 and C-6 came out. I mention "M-10" in quotes because I'm pretty sure that wasn't the official designation. It's used to refer to the TV cable version of the M-8 which was used in 63-66 V-8 cars. I forget the model number on those trannys, but I think it's something like M-8-x.... Don't have one on hand and haven't seen one without the screen printed label too damaged to read. The printing usually fades/dissolves from years of tranny fluid/elements exposure or attempts to clean with solvent. ------------- Frank Swygert |
Posted By: 1971JavelinSST
Date Posted: Aug/15/2020 at 3:03am
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Thanks for the info on the BW M44 Would anyone recommend a particular brand of filter and gasket set for my 71 304 automatic? - Mechanic has my car and asked me to get them. Also, should he refill it with Dexron III or IV ? Any suggestion/info would be greatly appreciated!
|
Posted By: 401MATCOUPE
Date Posted: Aug/15/2020 at 5:45am
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These trans do not have filter but rather a brass screen, most of the time they can cleaned....BUT the screens break, if you need a new screen I have NOS ones available, Just send me a PM. ------------- Ross K. Peterson 68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar) 68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A 69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8 70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO 74MatX,401,AT,Prototype 74MatX,401,AT |
Posted By: ramblinrev
Date Posted: Aug/15/2020 at 9:59am
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Yes, contact Ross for parts. This NOS drum probably is correct, though might not be the one that's shot. https://www.ebay.com/itm/AMC-NOS-Borg-Warner-T35-automatic-transmission-rear-clutch-drum-inc-bearings/383371267035?hash=item5942b54bdb:g:h68AAOSw6zheHluB" rel="nofollow - https://www.ebay.com/itm/AMC-NOS-Borg-Warner-T35-automatic-transmission-rear-clutch-drum-inc-bearings/383371267035?hash=item5942b54bdb:g:h68AAOSw6zheHluB Still, might not hurt to get it! ------------- 74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977) 62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384 70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981) |
Posted By: 401MATCOUPE
Date Posted: Aug/15/2020 at 5:11pm
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If you tell me exactly which bands and drums you need, I have a lot of NOS parts for Borg Warner NOS AMC issue.....I bought a AMC Zone office of obsolete stuff a while back! Just have not had time to really go through it.... ------------- Ross K. Peterson 68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar) 68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A 69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8 70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO 74MatX,401,AT,Prototype 74MatX,401,AT |
Posted By: 1971JavelinSST
Date Posted: Aug/17/2020 at 12:07pm
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I will pm you for a nos screen. Thanks. I found and ordered this: ATP B-35 filter-screen/gasket. ATP website says it fits 71 Javelin w Shift Command. - Will this fit the Borg Warner M44? |
Posted By: 1971JavelinSST
Date Posted: Aug/17/2020 at 12:23pm
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Thank you so much. I'll let you know as soon as mechanic checks it. He just asked me to get the transmission filter and gaskets. |