It is a love/hate relationship with the 700s. I burnt up 2 in a non-Hamb kinda car. It is a 350 with a B&M blower and now a 700r4 with 3.73. The car runs 70 mph at about 2,000 RPM. The first guy that rebuilt the trans was an expert....lasted about 5,000 miles and started coming apart on Power Tour. I have since learned a lot - that is the key to the 700. Checkout 700r4.com!! The last guy that rebuilt it for me really understood - and made sure I understood. The set up of the TV cable was the key to making it all work correctly. With a much better first gear than the 350 the car will almost scare you(Scares the shit out of the neighbors). I have learned so much I would not be afraid to tear into one now. I was then. Man - that was 10 years ago already. I am sold that the 700 is the way to go but setting it up and getting educated about them will really get you your money's worth.
i have a 87' chevy shortbox with 350/700r4/3:55's the tranny went 189,000 miles before it just stopped working. i do believe the key to it's long life was changing oil and filter every 15,000 miles. the early one had low/reverse sprag problems. get one from a 86' and newer truck or van(heavier units) or corvette. i used to hear tons of bad things about the 700r4 from people until they looked at the odometer and checked the mileage out. i'm the second owner from 55,000 miles to present. i do believe changing the oil was the key to keeping it alive so long. it was a work truck loaded with heavy tools and parts ocasionally pulling a car trailer when needed.
Yeah, Bill, check the link http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193429 Just picked up the PnJ ladder bars and brackets today, need to yank the banjo and send it to it's home. Ha "yank the banjo" out of context is kind of funny.....
Go with the 700R4... 1985 or newer, they've got the improved valve bodies... Get the Trans-Go/Gil Younger Re-Programming Kit, AND the High RPM Hardened Front Pump Rings with the OH kit... With a good converter, and cooler it'll be near bulletproof... http://www.transgo.com/index.html
Hey Stoggie that site 700r4.com is impressive with all I needed to know to sell me on a t700r4. THANKYOU.....
If you are doing it yourself you want a 87-89 Core, electronic came out in 1990 as a 4L60 .Oregon Transmission, an ebay seller can hook you up with the Transgo kits and Red Eagle clutch packs and Kevlar band also get the "Beast"for the planetary,prices are great and good folks to talk to for advice.another thing to do is visit www.transmissioncenter.net they have a great video on rebuilds there also they are tops on 700r4's and the source for the Lock-up converter switch you will need when you make the coversion to a non-computer car. Good Luck!
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