Alright, let's talk 700R4's

[VileZambonie]

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/highperf700r4.htm

[nico]

I recently got tired of my TCI Manual Valvebody TH400 (and the crappy tailshaft bushing) and decided to go with a 700R4... I found a reputable trans shop in the area after talking with lots of area racers and street-rodders. The shop (which is owned by an avid bracket racer) built me a 1991 model 700R4, with all the GM upgrades, performance clutches, Corvette servo and a 3000 stall converter and installed it  (with all new converter wiring and a new TV setup) for $1,300 cash...

I am very pleased with the upgrade, and wish I had done it years ago...

[SUX2BU99]

^ That sounds like a killer deal right there. I'd have to pony up $950 for the trans, $400 for install, who knows what for extra parts like speedo gears and TV cable, and then also buy a torque converter. Getting pretty close to $2k and I still wouldn't be totally certain what I'm buying wouldn't burn up.

I'm really on the fence about this one. My TH350 performs great. For the money this 700R4 costs, I could get my rearend rebuilt with an Eaton, my seats redone and maybe my oil pan leak fixed. 

[Skunksmash]

Maybe a local shop has a rebuilt 700r4 on hand for you already. Do you race a lot? I am pretty sure that when i had my 700r4 "rebuilt" that the guy just yanked mine, and slapped in one that he had already on hand, and had already rebuilt. If you dont dog on your truck a lot im sure a plain old 700r4 would be just fine. Mine is.

[HAULIN IT]

Sux, Something I found out yesterday may be an answer on the problem you were having with the shift linkage. I realize you still have a TH350, but the possibility is still the same (the part looks the same also). There are different C shaped bracket pieces that bolt directly onto the transmission (as in, the relationship of the Two flats where it goes on the shaft are different that another. Once I had my new tranny in, it was hard to get out of park, what I realized was, the rod comming down was almost "over center" & really had to be forced to start the motion. Maybe your tranny is from a van or something (guessing that is the reason for the angle change) & it worked Ok where it was, but once you raised the cab a bit, it became a problem?  Lorne 

[SUX2BU99]

Thanks for the info Lorne. I got the linkage thing worked out once I read my Haynes manual. It said to put the tranny in neutral and then lock down the shifter rod when the shifter is in what appears to be the usual neutral shifter location. Worked perfect. Trying to adjust it from either Park or First just would not work but doing it from Neutral worked perfect. Not sure why, but it did!

As for how I'd treat my 700R4, well I don't beat the crap out of my truck but when I do take it out, I like some WOT here and there since that's pretty much what I want it for: a nice day truck that can get out of it's own way. I decided for now to just get my rearend redone and that's fine with me. Thanks for all the input guys.

[Grover 1]

What a great transmission site, Vile - Thanks, Grover