This T700R4 thing is driving me nuts...

The Geometry bracket, I wasn't sure about mine and ended up buying another complete set. I had to remove the accululator cover to install a pressure switch for the o/d. I wanted it come to out when I stepped on the brake. Turns out I didn't get the cable adjusted completely. All is good now . I have a brand new set from Queens I will put up for sale later.

 

Yeah, I had the same problem early in the piece, but was also screwed around with wrong oil levels, dipstick and leaks.
Like you say once it is sorted they go pretty good.

 

Ive swapped 4 700R4's into carb'd cars, always used the TCI kit, it works well, no issues. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tci-376600

heres the TV cable bracket, summit and holley are both around $20. http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=700R4 tv bracket&dds=1

Heres instructions on how to build your own if you are so inclined, seems like a lot of hassle for the $ difference. http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/LockupTCCWiring.htm

 

And 700r4s are traditional in what respect?
Aren't there Other Forums on the internet that deal with this off topic crap?



???




.

 

Nice info, thanks for posting although it is a little late for me.
I think I will use another one of these tranny again in a project.

Just wondering where to buy the small bolt that attaches to the carby arm that connects to the TV cable end?

I got one in the lever kit I purchased last time, but will make my own arm next time around...

 

Technically you are probably correct, but I got say the best help by far came from guys on our HAMB compared to what I got from other forums.

Similarly, when I had C4 tranny issues the Ford forum was a dead lost.
Our guys think outside the box and are willing to offer realistic advise.
A lot of the other guys on forums out there are just mail order guys IMHO.

It seems there are a few of us out there trying them out in projects as a means to gain a little either in top end speed and/or gas mileage.

 

When they go in 49 chevy....by definition, they become traditional in my opinion...ever put a nut or bolt or washer or screw that was not made in the early 60's or older in your car....if you have, then one does not have room to go na-na-nah about traditional parts.

 

It makes it a traditional 80s hot rod.

 

TV cable setting can be checked by measureing the length of travel from idle to WOT. it shouldn't travel more than 1 1/8" (if not you need a different bracket) if this checks out make sure to "start" with a tight cable at idle. now test drive to see if it shifts, now check for a "kick down". when you adjust the cable remember 1/6" is a "mile".

If you "can't" get it right after many trys.... you might have weak spring syndrome. replace the spring on the TV cable in the trans. (this is the 1st step in the bowtie overdrive set up) now start over again.

set up right this trans will make your trad ride very drivable

 

Despite that, I found some good valuable info from this thread.
I am always open to learn something new if its interesting and a good improvement.

 

If it has not been posted already and I didn't see it. You should always check your tranny in neutral with the vehicle running. This allows the pump and converter to suck up tranny fluid but the vehicle will not go anywhere. This is the best way to get an accurate fluid level on the CORRECT dip stick.

 

Sounds like good advice to me B.Sharp.
I am told also when running a new tranny for the first start up to start it up in neutral for the same reason, better oil circulation.

 

To me, they are as traditional as 5 speed manuals behind flatheads and those seem to be well accepted here. A 700R4 is a 4 speed hydro.

Blue

 

I've got a 700R4 behind my flathead....mix and match is what makes hotroddin' so much fun. Traditional is over-rated.

 

Hi,
I'm NO expert by any means and have NOT had my ride on the road yet. BUT I do have a SBC with a Quadrajet and a 4L60 which is all adjusted.

The cable needs to be taught at full throttle.........and yes, it is easy to adjust if you have all the correct brackets.

All the shifting is done by the TV cable and it has to be in sink with the carburetor linkage.

I do NOT have the gas pedal or linkage installed but the TV cable is adjusted with the carburetor linkage.

You can look at my build website and see a few pictures of my setup.
http://myks30.webs.com

LG,
Mike

 

Thanks for posting your comments Mike.
Just wondering if you care to post a couple of your linkage pic's when you get time.

 

You are on a great place for good advice. "Thirty Coup" is right on the money about a lock up kit and the Carb bracket. I would also make sure the shifter is in the correct gear. A problem with any or all three will cook the trans. Sounds like you caught it early enough to where you can save it.

 

Yes I am, came so damn close I think.
I did remove the oil pan later to see if I had any junk build up in the bottom of the pan, but it was pretty clean.

I did an early oil change and feel happy that all will be well.

 

Are you running the factory TV cable? i have the original one in my 700 that i stuffed in my 64 and i was shown that on the factory cables some had a auto adjuster on them. you mash on the metal tab and roll your throttle to WOT, release the tab while holding WOT. this got me in a safe ballpark and i could adjust it a few detends back or forth to get my desired shift firmness.

 

I had one of those after market ones (stainless steel outer) early in the piece, but started sheding all non factory stuff once I hit problems.
The cable was the 1st to go and yes you are correct the GM cable seems a much better deal for setting up.

I always thought the cable was the issue, but infact it was good from day one, it was the oil level issues that got me, more after market stuff again.

Because this was my 1st experience in the flesh with T700R4 tranny's, I kinder had no baseline experience to fall back on and kept thinking the cable was the issue as it is always drummed into anybody setting one of these up how important the cable is and how much damage can be done in a short amount of time if not right.

Even after purchasing 2 x kits from Bowtie, I found them most unhelpful and both their kits did not fit even after providing them part numbers of carby as well as emailing them pictures and several phone calls to their technician etc.
They could not even give me the angle and radius spec's to use when I made my own lever setup.

Fortunately I am a HAMB member and asked on this board, quick as a shot somebody had it for me and it worked so damn good...

 

Grreat thread for us Yayhoo blasphemous OT-ers.

 

Good for you.
They are not a world better tranny, but in my book once it is setup right it is fine.

They come with a pretty low 1st gear which is what I've wanted in my build, plus O/D which was the other item I wanted to help provide better gas consumption.

To date, I am ok with both of these requirements and hence plan to use the same tranny in a flathead Cadillac project I have been playing around with for a while now.

Since the Cadillac engine has good torque but low top end RPM, I will run a 3.4:1 diff and use a low 1st gear to get moving.

I've learn't a lot from this experience and I hope it makes this next project come together with little or no hassles in the tranny department. You can most of my first build using the T700R4 in this thread;

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366906

 

Fluid level critical, if not right, heats up, goes out vent tube, hits exhaust, then smoke arises......and dude.....I want that garage, man...wat a nice place

 

Fluid level critical, if not right, heats up, goes out vent tube, hits exhaust, then smoke arises......and dude.....I want that garage, man...wat a nice place

 

Park and neutral are the same except for the engagement of the parking pawl. Fluid flow should be the same.

 

Fiftyv8 this has been a great thread,and even better that you have come back and told us the remedies.I am also going to be running a 700R4 here shortly with triple deuces so every bit of information helps.

 

I've been struggling with with my 700R4 for some time now. Everything works as it should with the exception of a 4th gear overdrive shift. To this point I've never had one.

At the present time I have installed a TCI cable bracket that holds both the the throttle and TV cables. I've had both the brackets shown above, and at the present have the one shown above on the right, referred to as the correct bracket.

Most of the information I've been able to find tells me that the cable should be taught at full throttle. With this bracket and all the adjustment pulled out of the cable I'm not able to achieve a taught cable even at wide open throttle. The bracket on the left did pull the cable taught at full throttle.

My transmission was built by a "professional" who makes his living working in a transmission shop. Mine was done as a side job as a favor for a friend. I'm starting to become fairly confident that there is something internal in my trans that is preventing a 4th gear overdrive shift.

Again the trans acts great through the first 3 gears, great shifts with partial throttle, or all the way through full throttle launch and run out to 80 or 90 miles an hour, just no overdrive.

 

OlBill51...How long was your test drive and how do you have your cooler set up? In radiator or external mount? There is a temp switch for 4th gear and until temp is up, will not allow 4th gear. I have a linear frame mounted cooler and no lines going to the radiator, which actually warms the fluid on engine/trans warm up. mine will not shift into 4th for 15 or so miles until trans fluid is fully warm.

 

How are you locking up torque converter? Do you have an aftermarket lock up kit?

 

OlBill51... do you have a convertor lockup mechanism installed that allows the convertor to lock and then unlock when you hit the brakes???