Converting a 4 speed to an automatic

[Mike Phillips]

Just an update...

Started this thread on  January 20, 2008  and I'm happy to say that this Sunday she'll be ready to start up, cycle the air out of the transmission and top it off with tranny fluid and then take her for a test drive.

Big thanks to everyone that's been answering my questions in this thread and others.

[VileZambonie]

Sweet! Good luck with it!

[Mike Phillips]

Argh....

Was getting ready to start the engine and decided to give everything a good looking over and found the Flywheel bolts are too long and won't let the engine turn over.




If it did turn over and tried to start it looks like the ends of the bolts would tear up the back of the engine and rip the oil pan off.

I ordered these bolts through NAPA so I'm not sure why there's a clearance problem as they look to be standard flywheel to crankshaft bolts.  Don't think I can cut them while there in place so I'll have to unbolt everything and move the transmission and transfercase back far enough to unbolt the flywheel bolts and then probably cut them down and then re-install them.

Ugh....

[Blazin]

The standard fly wheel bolts are longer than the automatic flex plate bolts. I learned that the hard way about 20 years ago. luckily it was a 2 wheel drive and I only used two standard bolts not all six. One of those look through the bolt bucket and came up with the total amount. I started mine and it made a heck of a racket!

[Mike Phillips]

I was able to get a hacksaw into the area and cut the ends off all the bolts.  The flywheel spins freely.  Now it's time to hook everything back up and get ready to try to start it and then test drive it.

One new issue... the wire from the previous manual 4-speed has an electrical plug-in with two prong spaces and the 700R4 has an electrical sensor or relay coming out of it with only one prong or contact.

Not sure how to wire this up?

[VileZambonie]

Are you talking about the TCC solenoid?

[HAULIN IT]

Mike, I think the two wire plug your referring to is for the back-up light switch on the manual transmission. The one wire one on the 700 is, as Vile said, the lock-up solenoid connector. You will need to add the wiring for your Blazer, since it wont have it being a stick shift. You can make up your own or get a kit for the lock-up from several aftermarket sources. Good Luck, sounds like your almost there. Lorne

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, I think the two wire plug your referring to is for the back-up light switch on the manual transmission. The one wire one on the 700 is, as Vile said, the lock-up solenoid connector. You will need to add the wiring for your Blazer, since it wont have it being a stick shift. You can make up your own or get a kit for the lock-up from several aftermarket sources. Good Luck, sounds like your almost there. Lorne

My transmission guy, Dana Sniff, told me that I need to run an wire from "Ignition On" to the terminal on the transmission.

I'm taking the truck over to BowTies in about a half hour to let them perfectly adjust the TV Cable for me.

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

I need to find a wire to tie into for the lock-up solenoid.  (hate wiring things)

[HAULIN IT]

Mike, It's not as simple as finding a hot wire, unless he has done something there that I'm not aware of (which is possible). In normal cases, you need a brake light switch (or a cheesy toggle switch,on-off) to unlock the converter as you come toward a stop sign, ect. Many (stock & aftermarket) use a vacuum reference also. It is possible to  make the lock-up work completely hydraulically also. So I Sharpe tranny guy may have come up with something that I'm not familiar with. Better check into it a little more, Lorne 

[VileZambonie]

Yeah I'm a little confused as to why he told you to do that 

[76_Scottsdale]

If you're heading to Bowtie anyways I'd have them just hook up the TCC wiring for you. When I ordered my tranny from them the tranny already comes with different wiring inside the tranny and all you do is hook up the plug with an ignition hot running through a brake switch disconnect so it unlocks the converter when you put on the brakes. Bowtie should have everything you need if you're already there.

[Mike Phillips]

If you're heading to Bowtie anyways I'd have them just hook up the TCC wiring for you. When I ordered my tranny from them the tranny already comes with different wiring inside the tranny and all you do is hook up the plug with an ignition hot running through a brake switch disconnect so it unlocks the converter when you put on the brakes. Bowtie should have everything you need if you're already there.

Yeperdoo... they set me up with a Cruise Control Brake Light Switch to replace the stock switch under the dash connected to the brake pedal.  They also set me up with a temperature sending unit and a gage for my dash, told me the tranny shouldn't be going over 180 degrees and if it does to add an extra tranny fluid cooler.

Steve at Bowtie adjusted my cable and then test drove my Jimmy and said it was working perfectly, so tonight after work I'm washing it and putting the interior back together and then it's going into service as my daily driver.

Success!

[zieg85]

Still hoping to see finished pics of the shifter installed

[VileZambonie]

y in the heck would you wanna you wanna switch to a auto trans???

Why don't you read and answer your own question?