Not traditional at all but I'm just thinking through some options. My next project will be an interstate eater - something I can put my wife & kids in & send them across the state a few times each year. I'll run a 283 and a street-friendly (geared not too low & not too high) 9inch Ford rear end. IF I were to run a 700R4 what should I look for? What did they come in? What years? Are there any differences in 700R4 transmissions? I know NOTHING about them. TIA, JH
WIMP! I'm no expert, but 700R4s were in just about everything from 82 to 92 - Trucks, full size, S10, Camaro, etc. I've heard to stick with the 87 and newer. Good luck. Rich
Look here........ good information..... http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/techinfo/techinfo.html
Or look at a 2004R. They will almost bolt in where a TH350 was, and they're a better designed tranny than the 700.
Harrison, I am running an 86 model in my 48 Chevy coupe, that model has the small input shaft that everyone says to stay away from. The car has been on the road for over 10 years, running a 270 gear under it. I am also running an s-10 converter on mine. The car weighs around 3900. I have a front seal leaking that I have to replace. I do not think that is too bad for 10 years on the road. I also run synthetic fluid in it. I have towed my modified with this car for over 250 miles with the converter locked up and have never had a problem.
the later ones do not have a provision for a mechanical speedometer. it's real easy to replace the vss with speedometer parts, but it'll set you back about $70 for new parts (you could nab the parts cheaper at a junkyard). mine's from a '90 roadmaster and it had the vss. hope this helps, ed
it really doesnt matter what year you buy but i strongly suggest to get the kick down set up from bowtie overdrives, go to the web site bowtieoverdrives.com and read about the TV made easy it will keep you from burning it up
I'm running one out of a 86 Astro van, I put a Corvette servo in it. I also have a S-10 rear end out of a 4X4 (3:73 posi) and a 350 cu in. No problems at all, a great combo.
When I got mine for the Olds, the guy at the tranny shop said that the 87-92 have the seven vain front pump and are the one you want to find. I couldn't find one, so I picked up one out of an 84 fullsize van with a big shaft and it works great.
Absolutely the most tailorable GM 4 speed transmission to this day. The early 700s had the small shaft & 7vein pump, however they can be updated w/ no problems. Unless youre gonna run a super high hp motor you really dont need the large shaft tranny. Keep in mind that in 82 when they came out, they held up real good in diesel applications, so they really werent that bad. We prefer to use the 87-92 trannys for performance use, but I wouldnt be afraid to use any 82-92 for your particular application. Where can you get 4 speeds w/ lockup converter & NO wiring needed after they are modified? I strongly disagree that a 2004R is a better trans tho. DAVE
I will jump on the bowtie overdrive bandwagon. I just installed this set-up in my fathers car, and it works great, and quite easy to install.
87up the good ones take the pan off if there is a tube running from front to secondary vavle body in the rear it's the one you want
These even come behind the 2.8 - but the earlierst versions have fewer clutch packs, and the bell pattern is different. Probably any 87-up case behind a 4.3, 305 or 350 would work. I have one in my Suburban, and I've towed and beat on it and the only real problem I have with it is I haven't been able to find out if I can change the governor cover myself - it seems to be rusted out a bit; or else it needs a new seal somewhere - it leaks about a quart in 1000 miles. I can move a trailer loaded with a 3500-lb car behind it no problem. I'd think in a light car, you could run one indefinately, especially if you aren't one to abuse it. Extra coolers don't hurt.
I just replaced the TH400 in my T-bucket with a 700R4. It was a pretty easy conversion. Read up on the TV adjustment, and ask lots of questions. Because the T is so light, I needed to adjust the shift points by changing the governer springs and weights. Works great now, and I'm looking forward to 20-22 MPG (maybe MORE!!!!) this summer. Gotta love it! Hemi-roid
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