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700r4 Transmission feels off?

Start simple. How's the condition and level of the fluid? I can't tell anything from that video. Search here for how the TV cable should be adjusted. I'm sure I've posted links in the last couple of weeks. Driving with it misadjusted can ruin the transmission.
 
On a 700r4 getting the TV cable adjustment correct is the most important thing to do.
Second is keeping it cool.
There are some updates that help make them survive longer, but they won't help if 1 and 2 aren't done.
What year is the truck, and what modifications have been done to it?

Welcome to CK5 @nycxjeremyy
 
Wes Harden said:
On a 700r4 getting the TV cable adjustment correct is the most important thing to do.
Second is keeping it cool.
There are some updates that help make them survive longer, but they won't help if 1 and 2 aren't done.
What year is the truck, and what modifications have been done to it?

Welcome to CK5 @nycxjeremyy
Click to expand...
Are 700r4’s not a good tranny? I have one in my 82, which was rebuilt before I picked it up. Not sure if it’s the trans or my 3:08’s, but it’s gutless as gutless could be. TV cable is adjusted… should I get a trans cooler?

IMG_7448.jpeg
 
Chris Ziemer said:
Are 700r4’s not a good tranny? I have one in my 82, which was rebuilt before I picked it up. Not sure if it’s the trans or my 3:08’s, but it’s gutless as gutless could be. TV cable is adjusted… should I get a trans cooler?

View attachment 461722
Click to expand...
The early ones were not as durable as the later models. If adjusted correctly and maintained, they are a good OD transmission. They weren’t built for high power, but they were in millions of Chevys for a lot of years, so they can’t be that bad.

The later model 700R4 is the predecessor to the 4L60e. Most of the issues were worked out by that time too.

I’m running one because I needed OD. I’m running 4:56 gears on 37’s and it works great.
 
AZ79K5Project said:
The early ones were not as durable as the later models. If adjusted correctly and maintained, they are a good OD transmission. They weren’t built for high power, but they were in millions of Chevys for a lot of years, so they can’t be that bad.

The later model 700R4 is the predecessor to the 4L60e. Most of the issues were worked out by that time too.

I’m running one because I needed OD. I’m running 4:56 gears on 37’s and it works great.
Click to expand...
Curious, what rpm’s are you running at say..55mph w/the OD?
 
Chris Ziemer said:
my 3:08’s, but it’s gutless as gutless could be. TV cable is adjusted… should I get a trans cooler?
Click to expand...
Yes, 3:08 and 35's is not a good combination. Does it even go into 4th gear? You need to drop to 4:56 or even 4:88 to let it run right. Not only 48% more torque available at a given RPM, but you'll also be more into the powerband, so more than 50% stronger. Plus you'll get 50% more oil flow through the cooler. Increasing tire size without dropping gears is a known cooker of 700's.

It's also possible your 82 came with a 305.
 
When built right, they are a great transmission. I have one in my Blazer. Works flawlessly! The one in my Monte Carlo survived over 500 passes down the dragstrip! The last 125 passes, was with a supercharged SBC. It even survived a Drifting event on a paved track. 3 sets of rear tires, in 30 laps!
 
Blue85 said:
Yes, 3:08 and 35's is not a good combination. Does it even go into 4th gear? You need to drop to 4:56 or even 4:88 to let it run right. Not only 48% more torque available at a given RPM, but you'll also be more into the powerband, so more than 50% stronger. Plus you'll get 50% more oil flow through the cooler. Increasing tire size without dropping gears is a known cooker of 700's.

It's also possible your 82 came with a 305.
Click to expand...
That’s giving me a lot to think about! Man, if it’s not shifting into fourth gear, I’m gonna wear my dunce cap for the rest of the year. I’ll double check when I go out again. Having said that, I run about 1700 RPMs at 55 miles an hour. So something might be off. I think the math would suggest that I run about 1300 rpms at 55 miles an hour with 308’s and 35s. Question, would a turbo 350 solve this power issue?
Cost wise, I think I’m looking at $1200ish to have my gear set changed or put in a turbo 350.
 
Easier to find axles that are already geared most likely. People regear them, then upgrade anyway all the time.
Even a stock set with 4.10s would be leaps and bounds better than what you have.
 
Thanks Shady, I actually just saw a set of 488 axles, but they went quick. Good idea!
 
The turbo 350 1st gear is higher than the 700r4 so all things being equal no. Your from a stop starts will be even harder to get moving.
If it turns out you are not running in 4th gear at 55 then the th350 will be the same
 
I used 34.5" tire height and get 1650RPM @55MPH with 1:1 gear (3rd gear). You might have to go faster to get into 4th gear, like 70+MPH. You could swap to a newer transmission, like 6L80E, but that's a complicated swap. 6th gear would be unusable and 5th only used at high speeds.
  • First gear — 4.027
  • Second gear — 2.364
  • Third gear — 1.532
  • Fourth gear — 1.152
  • Fifth gear — 0.852
  • Sixth gear — 0.0667
Even the granny low gear of an SM465 is not much lower than the 1st gear of a 700 (plus the torque converter) and it's not really convenient to use as a normal gear.

The simple answer is matching the differentials to the tires.
 
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