700-r4 shifting problems
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Joined: Jan 2006
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700-r4 shifting problems
I have a 76 and am running a 383 stroker with a 700-r4and a 3:73 rear and a 2200 stall comverter. I have the transmission shifting pretty good in 1st, 2nd and 3rd but it doesnt want to go into 4th untill 2200 or higher. Sometimes it just doesnt want to go into 4th at all. Transmission fluid is correct. Any suggestion or better yet someone in the Pittsburgh area that can adjust it. Im tired of trying to get it right.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
It sounds like a tv cable if it is infact out of adjustment it would be much easier to adjust if you were to install one of these.
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...php?ITEMID=231
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...php?ITEMID=231
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I've adjusted the cable in and out numerous times in small increments but that doesnt seem to resolve the problem. Can the TV valve be adjusted (set up) with the pan down and working inside the transmission? I've screwed around with this problem for quite a while and thats why I wanted to know if someone in the Pittsburgh area I could take it to.
Thanks
Thanks
Give us a close-up picture of your TV cable where it attaches to the rear of your carburetor so we can see what you're dealing with.
The cable should be adjusted JUST tight with the throttle wide open. To get a "feel" of the cable disconnect it from the carburetor bell crank and use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the cable out several times to get the feel of how much spring tension it has (inside the transmission). Once you get the feel of it reattach it to the bell crank and open the throttle about half way. You'll notice you can pull the cable out (against spring tension) a little ways. As you open the throttle further you'll notice you can pull the cable out less and then when the throttle is wide open the cable should be JUST tight. With the delayed 2200 rpm shift it sounds like your cable is way too tight as its getting pulled all the way out before your throttle is wide open.
When its adjusted correctly your 1-2 upshift should occur about 5-6 mph at a light throttle with a smooth upshift (no bang). If its making the 1-2 upshift around 10 mph at a light throttle it definitely IS way too tight.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Go back to beginning ..
Push lock on cable and push cable end toward firewall until it is fully closed.
( that is the plastic part with the round nub on her )
With it fully closed release lock make sure it is fully compressed .
Have someone sit in car , ask them ( with motor off ) to depress gas peddle to WOT.
Depress lock on TV cable and it will self adjust to where it needs to be at WOT.
Release lock make sure it is locked in place.
NOW from that position provided you have the right linkages it is SET and you should not ever move it in or our more then 1/8 of an inch or so
Push lock on cable and push cable end toward firewall until it is fully closed.
( that is the plastic part with the round nub on her )
With it fully closed release lock make sure it is fully compressed .
Have someone sit in car , ask them ( with motor off ) to depress gas peddle to WOT.
Depress lock on TV cable and it will self adjust to where it needs to be at WOT.
Release lock make sure it is locked in place.
NOW from that position provided you have the right linkages it is SET and you should not ever move it in or our more then 1/8 of an inch or so
Last edited by diehrd; Nov 17, 2015 at 10:38 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 20
BowTie Overdrives
I have a 76 and am running a 383 stroker with a 700-r4and a 3:73 rear and a 2200 stall comverter. I have the transmission shifting pretty good in 1st, 2nd and 3rd but it doesnt want to go into 4th untill 2200 or higher. Sometimes it just doesnt want to go into 4th at all. Transmission fluid is correct. Any suggestion or better yet someone in the Pittsburgh area that can adjust it. Im tired of trying to get it right.
Call BowTie Overdrives 760/947-5240. They have a kit where you use a pressure gauge and find where your TV cable shifts and what pressures. They are VERY helpful.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Chances are that you have not adjusted your shift cable for the needs of the new transmission. When you swap units, the cables going down to the transmission need to be re-adjusted for the new/altered brackets mounted to the trans pan and for the unit, as well.
Re-visit the process of setting those cables up properly and you will likely solve your problem.
Also, when going from a 3-speed auto trans to a 4-speed unit, the shift detent plate on the shifter needs another notch in it to allow you to select 1st range [alone]. If you have adjusted your shift cable to get 1st range with the stock detent plate that came with your car, then the cable would not allow you to get the shift valve into high gear. You need to adjust the cable properly and ALSO grind a new detent location for the 1st gear-hold position.
Re-visit the process of setting those cables up properly and you will likely solve your problem.
Also, when going from a 3-speed auto trans to a 4-speed unit, the shift detent plate on the shifter needs another notch in it to allow you to select 1st range [alone]. If you have adjusted your shift cable to get 1st range with the stock detent plate that came with your car, then the cable would not allow you to get the shift valve into high gear. You need to adjust the cable properly and ALSO grind a new detent location for the 1st gear-hold position.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Nov 17, 2015 at 12:15 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
How do you have the lock up converter function set up? You have to show a certain amount of vacuum to lock up the converter and to access 4th gear. 2200 rpm isn't bad if you have 3:73 gears but anything higher your have to break the speed limit to get into overdrive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I'm using a Stewart Warner (Hobbs) 15 psi pressure switch screwed into the 4th servo pressure tap (on the right side) to send current to the grounded solenoid. So when 4th gear engages the converter locks about 1 second later and will unlock when it downshifts into 3rd. Under a light throttle it'll lock at about 42-43 mph.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
I have a 700r4 that has absolutely no vacuum to it whatsoever and it ships in the fourth year with no problem. But the converter will not lock up until I flip a switch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
You can use an inexpensive pressure switch to power the solenoid like I did. That way its all automatic and no manual switch is needed.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
Or do you just enjoy taking over someone else's thread?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
I have a 76 and am running a 383 stroker with a 700-r4and a 3:73 rear and a 2200 stall comverter. I have the transmission shifting pretty good in 1st, 2nd and 3rd but it doesnt want to go into 4th untill 2200 or higher. Sometimes it just doesnt want to go into 4th at all. Transmission fluid is correct. Any suggestion or better yet someone in the Pittsburgh area that can adjust it. Im tired of trying to get it right.