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700r4: Someone kill me...

BurbanHunter

BurbanHunter

Registered Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2007
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Location
Reno, NV
EDIT: Need help quick, buying parts! See 3rd page!

:mad:

Symptoms:

Works great when cold!
At operating temp. it starts to feel like it's slipping
Then after 30 secs of "slipping" it has no power or grab
Stop and try to shift, no gears engage

Shut her down and let her cool:
It engages gears and will drive
For maybe a couple mins and then it all starts over!

Fluid level is good, but fluid is brown in color... :(

Is she a gone'r?

If so:

Rebuild recommendations? (Home, shops in NV/CA, or a 50cal??)

This is the 2nd one I've had rebuilt at 2 different shops!

Swap ideas with minimal fab work?

Thanks to anyone with ideas!!! :bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:

Ps. Vehicle = 90 GMC Burb 1500 4x4
 
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Its probably burning the fluid because its slipping.

If you get another one I would get a rebuilt one from GM. Its the only remanufacturer that I've never heard anything bad about (you would hope they would know how to rebuild them ;))
 
BurbanHunter said:
:mad:

Symptoms:

Works great when cold!
At operating temp. it starts to feel like it's slipping
Then after 30 secs of "slipping" it has no power or grab
Stop and try to shift, no gears engage

Shut her down and let her cool:
It engages gears and will drive
For maybe a couple mins and then it all starts over!

Fluid level is good, but fluid is brown in color... :(

Is she a gone'r?

If so:

Rebuild recommendations? (Home, shops in NV/CA, or a 50cal??)

This is the 2nd one I've had rebuilt at 2 different shops!

Swap ideas with minimal fab work?

Thanks to anyone with ideas!!! :bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:

Ps. Vehicle = 90 GMC Burb 1500 4x4
Click to expand...
Well it sounds like you cooked it but as jonrpick says, why? TV setting would be my first guess. You guys seem to have a lot of trouble getting a decent rebuild on 700s over there which is odd but looking at the price of upgraded units like TCIs or Bowtie Overdrives, I'd be inclined to go for one of theirs with a good rep and warrenty.
 
The TV cable feels loose at the throttle linkage, but I'm very new to this. I can press it down with a finger and it droops 1.5" in the 6" or so that is exposed. Is this normal?

The other thing that I'm thinking it: I only went about 2 miles from the first slip to home. Trying to keep the RPMs low the whole time. Would it be worth it to drain the fluid, refill it, add lucas trans fix, and reset all the adjustment (tv, shift link..)??? Or is two miles enough to have done it in?


:1zhelp:
 
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BurbanHunter said:
The TV cable feels loose at the throttle linkage, but I'm very new to this. I can press it down with a finger and it droops 1.5" in the 6" or so that is exposed. Is this normal?

The other thing that I'm thinking it: I only went about 2 miles from the first slip to home. Trying to keep the RPMs low the whole time. Would it be worth it to drain the fluid, refill it, add lucas trans fix, and reset all the adjustment (tv, shift link..)??? Or is two miles enough to have done it in?


:1zhelp:
Click to expand...

2 miles after the installation, or you quit driving it 2 miles after it started slipping? How much mileage after the installation of the tranny???

I don't think mine is that loose. Another thing to keep in mind, the TV cable was expected to move "X" amount over "Y" amount of throttle cable travel. If you throw off that geometry by, for example, having it connected to a bracket on the carb that doesn't have enough throw, you won't pull the cable enough to keep up with the ever-increasing power from the motor.

The TV cable controls the pressure in the tranny... If it's not getting pulled far enough, not enough pressure will build up in the tranny, and it will slip. If you have *very* little mileage on it with a mis-adjusted TV cable, you might just be able to adjust it correctly, change the fluid, and keep on rolling.

Here is how to set the TV cable properly...

Still... how much total mileage is on this tranny??? Ballpark it...
 
I stopped driving it after 2 miles, there is roughly 25k-30k miles on this rebuild, and up until now it seemed pretty good.. :dunno:

Ya think the bands are shot? Or is it worth another go?

If I do end up having to pull it, I'm leaning toward a TH400. Big whoop I lose overdrive! :rolleyes: Has anyone done this swap? Adapters or major fab work?
 
BurbanHunter said:
I stopped driving it after 2 miles, there is roughly 25k-30k miles on this rebuild, and up until now it seemed pretty good.. :dunno:

Ya think the bands are shot? Or is it worth another go?

If I do end up having to pull it, I'm leaning toward a TH400. Big whoop I lose overdrive! :rolleyes: Has anyone done this swap? Adapters or major fab work?
Click to expand...

Unless you absolutely need the strength of a 400, I'd say get the 700 rebuilt and make sure it's set up properly. I think doing the swap may be more trouble than it's worth unless you're looking to gain something specific with it.

700's are good trannys when properly rebuilt, and that doesn't have to mean a performance build either.
 
Look at Bowtie Overdrives web site. They have excellent info on the 700 and how to set up the TV cable:bow::bow:
 
Well with all this said: Is it worth the $ and time to drain it and try again? :confused:

Or am I better off just pulling it and saving for another one? :(
 
BurbanHunter said:
Well with all this said: Is it worth the $ and time to drain it and try again? :confused:

Or am I better off just pulling it and saving for another one? :(
Click to expand...

If it's dying already, you can try to keep it alive for a little while. Worst case scenario, you fail, and end up having to replace it anyway.

But you good get lucky... :wink1:
 
Quick questions on how you are using the burb? Do you pull heavy loads in overdrive? Do you have huge tires and tall gear ratios? Anything that you do that puts the tranny in excessive loads?
 
bradshawtech said:
Quick questions on how you are using the burb? Do you pull heavy loads in overdrive? Do you have huge tires and tall gear ratios? Anything that you do that puts the tranny in excessive loads?
Click to expand...


It's completely stock. 31's, 350, and 10bolts. I don't tow with it, although I wouldn't mind being able to pull a small car trailer (sandrail) with it. And no, I wouldn't tow in OD! :doah: Mild wheelin' (trails, fireroads, mountain roads) would be nice to go camping and hunting but that's really about it.
 
I know of a great transmission shop here in So. Colo. if you can not find one in your area that you can trust. Recently redid the 700r4 in my k5 with great results.
 
I love the BO 700 in my K5... Stage 3. Shifts are nice and firm all the time, never had one problem besides a leaking governor cover, which I believe was a $25 fix.
 
Any warranty from the shop? Did they re-install it? Lots a shops just use minimal new parts, irregardless of their "statements". If you really toasted it, all the chunks a clutch material will be sitting in the bottom of the pan.

There are basically three things in the tranny. Iron, brass, and paper friction material. You should only find grey metal, and NO chunks. Brass indicates a worn bushing, paper, a disintegrated clutch pack. That's where your oil pressure is going.

Can it burn up in a mile or two? Sorta' like a flat tire. A mile or two can ruin it. But I'd check the TV cable. It's SERIOUSLY fussy.

Good Luck!
 
It's cooked, I'll just say what no one else will lol. I put a TCI 700r4 in my truck and adjusted the TV cable with a vacuum gauge and it held up for 45k of me being a complete retard with it until I sold the truck.

You guy's have to realize the TV cable thing is serious, it will burn up in a very short amount of time. It's not one of those thing's you can put off till later, like a leaky rear main. It need's to be adjust right, and adjusted right away. Just ask me how I know, lol.
 
TV cable question

Should the slider (adjustment device) be close to the carb linkage or completely retracted into bracket mount? How should it look newly installed? How should it look very worn out?
 
BurbanHunter said:
Should the slider (adjustment device) be close to the carb linkage or completely retracted into bracket mount? How should it look newly installed? How should it look very worn out?
Click to expand...

Read the write up on bowtie overdrives website. It's very thourough and even has little animated videos to help you out. To set it, with the motor off, push the slide all the way in. Then press the button, and with the button pressed, rotate the throttle all the way out. The slide will clicky clack it's wa out to where it should be.

They really don't wear out, it's kind of a set it and leave it alone item.
 
New Direction

After careful thought and some tinkering with the POS 700r4 in my burb I've come to the conclusion: It's dead.

It won't even engage gears cold now. Time to cut the emotional ties and let it go.

MY DECISION: Th400 :D

I know I lose OD and a few MPG. I don't care really. This is a camping rig and will barely see the highway (I live 200 yards from BLM land in NV).

I see advance adapters makes a conversion kit from 700r4 to TH400. They claim I can use the stock transfercase, crossmember, and drive lines without any issues. Is there truth to this? Yeah, the adapter is pricey in my opinion (LIKE $475), but I'm tired of dealing with 700r4 "picky-ness".

Anyone used this thing? I can't download the install guide: Will I need to change the trans output shaft? What kind of vechicle(s) should I be looking at to find the trans I'll need(year, model, options)?

Much thanks in advance!

I'm new to the GM world, so your help is keeping me going!

:bow::bow::bow: Without you guys, I'm just another sad ex-yota runner:bow::bow::bow:
 
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