700r4 install begins.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Bob, don't beat yourself up too much for not using the new bracket, it has to be modified to fit also. I also drilled out the shifter plate, but it still did not come out without major (sledge hammer) coaxing. On a good note, yes the holes lined up perfectly. The TV directions are not perfectly clear or complete, and have a lot of un-needed information thrown in just for confusion, but a call to BTO got me finished with that today. I'm going to pick up the drive shaft now and then go to work (my job work). I'm hoping to get it about wrapped up by tomorrow. God bless, Sensei
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Bob, don't beat yourself up too much for not using the new bracket, it has to be modified to fit also. I also drilled out the shifter plate, but it still did not come out without major (sledge hammer) coaxing. On a good note, yes the holes lined up perfectly. The TV directions are not perfectly clear or complete, and have a lot of un-needed information thrown in just for confusion, but a call to BTO got me finished with that today. I'm going to pick up the drive shaft now and then go to work (my job work). I'm hoping to get it about wrapped up by tomorrow. God bless, Sensei
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Well, today was a bit of a disapointment. I did get the console back together, and mounted the bracket and started the wiring for the trans temp gauge. But most of the time I spent wrestling with the drive shaft, it's a bear! I never got it in, but I have faith that tomorrow I will triumph!
I hope this day by day account will be helpful to some of you guys that are considering this mod yourself. I'll keep posting my progress until it's done. God bless, Sensei
I hope this day by day account will be helpful to some of you guys that are considering this mod yourself. I'll keep posting my progress until it's done. God bless, Sensei
Last edited by a1sensei; Mar 24, 2007 at 06:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I allways felt the yoke on the DIFF end was the bear...using a 18" 3/8 extension on it to reach the bolts up/over/under/through/by/that stupid tunnel to hell and back.....done it too many times I allways though the tranny end was a piece of cake, by comparo....
you only need 3 swivel/universal joints and a 3 inch extension with a short socket, and a left handed drive ratchet, while you lay in the tranny fluid with your hair in the puddle....
lemme tell you how many times I have done this.....;-)))
you only need 3 swivel/universal joints and a 3 inch extension with a short socket, and a left handed drive ratchet, while you lay in the tranny fluid with your hair in the puddle....
lemme tell you how many times I have done this.....;-)))
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
The differential end is the ENTIRE problem! Mine has these nifty 12 point bolts (Jeff, I see you cheated and used normal 6 points, no fair!). I used a 1/4" drive ratchet with 2 long extensions to get it out, and am using the same to re-install. I was having trouble getting it to fully seat in the yoke, but I have a new plan and think I will get it tomorrow. God bless, Sensei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Almost. I used the best 12 points in the rear with two long extensions. I put new 6 points in the front. Some of the 12 points were trash. I also used a touch of locktite blue. The new ones come with it like flywheel bolts.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Looking real good. I had to make the bracket for the shifter/key lock cable. I used steel brake lines and mounted the pressure gage under the hood. Just in case I have to change the carb some day. Making sure the pressure increases with any throttle movement is the most important part of the TV cable set up.
trans install
trans install
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Well today was very productive. I got the drive shaft right in this morning with no problems. The bigest real problem today was with the shifter linkage AGAIN! (BTO should check on Shiftworks' quality control). The shifter plate has a tang to separate reverse and park. An '81's shifter (and probably others) will not pass over that tang. I had to cut it off, but it still will not allow me into 1st.
I reinstalled the whole one peice dual exhaust system (I didn't know that could be a one man job). That took the most time. Got the starter in also. All that is left before cranking is to hook up the power and ground wires for the temp gauge. I'm looking to be on the road tomorrow!
God bless, Sensei
I reinstalled the whole one peice dual exhaust system (I didn't know that could be a one man job). That took the most time. Got the starter in also. All that is left before cranking is to hook up the power and ground wires for the temp gauge. I'm looking to be on the road tomorrow! God bless, Sensei
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Yes, 81's had a lock-up converter, so I just plugged it in. BTO did send me (and charged me) for the lock-up kit. Maybe I'll include it with my th350 when I sell it on ebay. God bless, Sensei
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Today I got the temp guage hooked up. The light does not work, but BTO said they would be happy to send another. I've just got to decide if I really want to bother re-installing. This tranny runs much higher pressures than my th350. A lot of my hose clamped cooling lines were oozing fluid on start up. I tightened them down and am hoping that will be the end of that. I did all the pre-test drive pressure checks and called in my results to BTO. Got her off the stands and was ready to road test when I ran out of time
Maybe later tonight, I'm not sure I will be able to go to bed without going for a spin. God bless, Sensei
Maybe later tonight, I'm not sure I will be able to go to bed without going for a spin. God bless, Sensei
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
I'm guessing you'll like it.
The lower 1st gear is almost as much fun as the OD.
For your cooling lines I would consider running hard lines as much as possible. I used 5/16 brake line and used a decent bender to make mine. I put a couple of shorter sections in that couple at the front of the tranny so they are easily accessible should the tranny ever need to come out. You could still do this using a crows foot with some long extensions.
The lower 1st gear is almost as much fun as the OD. For your cooling lines I would consider running hard lines as much as possible. I used 5/16 brake line and used a decent bender to make mine. I put a couple of shorter sections in that couple at the front of the tranny so they are easily accessible should the tranny ever need to come out. You could still do this using a crows foot with some long extensions.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Well I took a very short test drive last night. It seems the parking brake will need to be re-adjusted, it was dragging a bit, making the intire test run moot, but there was some other wierdness. It would not shift into overdrive until about 85 mph, even under light acceleration. Then, it would stay in overdrive even after coasting down to the point where the engine wanted to bog (about 40 mph). If I floored it at that point, it would only downshift to third, not second. The TCC also was not locking up. Later this afternoon, I hope to put up the rear wheels, adjust the brake, troubleshoot the TCC system and try again. God bless, Sensei
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
yes it will do this, some guys just put it in third unless they are on the highway, some guys have a switch to manually disengage the torque converter so when cruising on roads where this happens the torque converter does not lock up at even in 4th (that would be me), some guys use a switch hooked up to the speedo gears so that it unlocks at a predetermined speed.....and on my car the "H pipe " took care of this bogging....
