1976 TH700-R4 shifter cable replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
1976 TH700-R4 shifter cable replacement
I just put a TH700-R4 in the Vette and love the overdrive, but the shifter cable has a lot of play (original TH350 cable) and won't go into 1st gear manually (where all the fun is). Can anyone link me to some installation instructions? I installed the detent plate from the conversion kit that Shiftworks provided, but am still not getting back far enough to manually access all the gears. The instructions given on the card from the parts pack is quite limited and I was looking more for the "don'ts" & the "watch out for's"... it seems hooking the cable on either end and threading through the trans tunnel seems pretty straight forward. I am hoping on guidance on what gear do I start in before dismantle, what is the adjustments needed to get the cable in correctly for all gears to function, etc. Any gear heads been through this with a Gen 3 before? Any help is a good thing...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
I just put a TH700-R4 in the Vette and love the overdrive, but the shifter cable has a lot of play (original TH350 cable) and won't go into 1st gear manually (where all the fun is). Can anyone link me to some installation instructions? I installed the detent plate from the conversion kit that Shiftworks provided, but am still not getting back far enough to manually access all the gears. The instructions given on the card from the parts pack is quite limited and I was looking more for the "don'ts" & the "watch out for's"... it seems hooking the cable on either end and threading through the trans tunnel seems pretty straight forward. I am hoping on guidance on what gear do I start in before dismantle, what is the adjustments needed to get the cable in correctly for all gears to function, etc. Any gear heads been through this with a Gen 3 before? Any help is a good thing...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ddly-bits.html
When I installed my 700R4, I installed a new shifter selector cable, mounting bracket and selector plate for the 700R4 (all came with the trans) from Bow-Tie Overdrives. They don't appear to source that in a kit anymore. That may help with some of the play.
Did you purchase a lock-up module/wire for the lock-up converter? I ran mine up through the trans tunnel opening to the fuse block.
Also, did you get the TV cable adapter for your carb so that geometry is correct for the 700R4 TVS cable?
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...SUBCAT&CATID=W
I can only go as low as L2 manually with my 700R4. With or without the conversion detent plate. I destroyed my shifter to install the plate and it wouldn't go into L1. I then bought one from an '82 and it also would not go down to L1 even though the selector plate shows it. But, with L1 so LOW, I figure there are few instances where I would want to start and STAY in that gear for long.
Last edited by TedH; Jul 17, 2016 at 09:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
must have L1
This link may be helpful. Also, do a search on 700R4 conversion and lots of stuff here on the 700R4 in earlier C3's:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ddly-bits.html
When I installed my 700R4, I installed a new shifter selector cable, mounting bracket and selector plate for the 700R4 (all came with the trans) from Bow-Tie Overdrives. They don't appear to source that in a kit anymore. That may help with some of the play.
Did you purchase a lock-up module/wire for the lock-up converter? I ran mine up through the trans tunnel opening to the fuse block.
Also, did you get the TV cable adapter for your carb so that geometry is correct for the 700R4 TVS cable?
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...SUBCAT&CATID=W
I can only go as low as L2 manually with my 700R4. With or without the conversion detent plate. I destroyed my shifter to install the plate and it wouldn't go into L1. I then bought one from an '82 and it also would not go down to L1 even though the selector plate shows it. But, with L1 so LOW, I figure there are few instances where I would want to start and STAY in that gear for long.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ddly-bits.html
When I installed my 700R4, I installed a new shifter selector cable, mounting bracket and selector plate for the 700R4 (all came with the trans) from Bow-Tie Overdrives. They don't appear to source that in a kit anymore. That may help with some of the play.
Did you purchase a lock-up module/wire for the lock-up converter? I ran mine up through the trans tunnel opening to the fuse block.
Also, did you get the TV cable adapter for your carb so that geometry is correct for the 700R4 TVS cable?
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...SUBCAT&CATID=W
I can only go as low as L2 manually with my 700R4. With or without the conversion detent plate. I destroyed my shifter to install the plate and it wouldn't go into L1. I then bought one from an '82 and it also would not go down to L1 even though the selector plate shows it. But, with L1 so LOW, I figure there are few instances where I would want to start and STAY in that gear for long.
When I drag race I hold L1 to 6800+/- RPM... and I have 3.90:1 ring and pinion gears; with the 3.06:1 L1 ratio, that gives 11.93:1 overall ratio from the start... it doesn't take long to tach out or top the cam power band! I worked this morning again to try and adjust after the detent/shifter cable install, but still not there. I would love any help in getting this adjusted to reach manual L1... anybody?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
When I drag race I hold L1 to 6800+/- RPM... and I have 3.90:1 ring and pinion gears; with the 3.06:1 L1 ratio, that gives 11.93:1 overall ratio from the start... it doesn't take long to tach out or top the cam power band! I worked this morning again to try and adjust after the detent/shifter cable install, but still not there. I would love any help in getting this adjusted to reach manual L1... anybody?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Modify the original plate , or Get the kit . I recommend the kit. It comes with the new selector indicator P R N D 3 2 1 to make your conversion look factory .. I got Shiftworks Kit 9 years ago for mine.. looks and works great.. I can manually shift up or down at any rpm or hold to any rpm with my trans 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
I agree
and the people who work there are a great help... BTW, I hope everyone realizes that I have already installed the Shiftworks conversion kit with detent and their shifter cable... Where do I find this video? YT?
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
been 9 years but ...I think you need to put trans in 4th at the trans , and measure distance from pin on trans shift arm to face of cable bracket .. should be 5 1/2 inches if I remember correctly. if it isn t close, you may need to move bracket ...then put selector in 4th and connect cable or adjust til it will connect.. I hope this makes sense to you and helps
Last edited by fishslayer143; Jul 18, 2016 at 09:30 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
I get it...
been 9 years but ...I think you need to put trans in 4th at the trans , and measure distance from pin on trans shift arm to face of cable bracket .. should be 5 1/2 inches if I remember correctly. if it isn t close, you may need to move bracket ...then put selector in 4th and connect cable or adjust til it will connect.. I hope this makes sense to you and helps
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
been 9 years but ...I think you need to put trans in 4th at the trans , and measure distance from pin on trans shift arm to face of cable bracket .. should be 5 1/2 inches if I remember correctly. if it isn t close, you may need to move bracket ...then put selector in 4th and connect cable or adjust til it will connect.. I hope this makes sense to you and helps
Last edited by bluedawg; Jul 19, 2016 at 11:16 PM. Reason: Dees nuts matter.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
Here's how to do it...
Trust me, if you have changed the detent plate in the shifter, you are going to want to get under the car, remove the cotter pin, remove the cable end, put on the parking brake, move the trans shifter to L1 (1st gear), then use a rubber hammer or screwdriver (whatever) put the trans bracket for the shifter cable all the way back as far as it goes (this is 1st gear) then loosen the adjustment nut on this bracket and reattach the cable end; reinsert the cotter pin. The fun starts when 1st gear is held down for a good high RPM; what ever works for the engine you have built... STOCK: 5500+RPM; HI-PERF: 6500+RPM. What a jolt of torque! What an incredible acceleration! DO IT!!!! 