700R4 Transmission
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
The original dipstick and tube according to posts on this forum do not fit a 700R4.
Read this link, a search will come up with more
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...in-a-77-a.html
Read this link, a search will come up with more
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...in-a-77-a.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 8
From: Bastrop Texas
MeIWff, thanks for the information and the link. My problem is whether the transmission is overfilled or not. The car had a ZZ4 crate engine and 700R4 when I purchased it in 2010. I had the transmission fluid and filter changed in July, 2019 since it had around 30 thousand miles on it. There were no metal material in the pan, and they added 5 qts of fluid. A few weeks back I noticed two small pools of fluid on the floor. I took it to a friend who has a lift, and it seemed to be leaking at the rear seal. However, I've taken it on three 100 mile rod runs since then, and it has not leaked anymore. Wondering if the fluid might be low considering the one time leak, I checked the fluid today after a 120 miles rod run, and it shows to be overfilled. I don't know if it has the original dip stick, and if so, causing it to show overfilled, but it doesn't stick up pass the top of the air breather....I say this as it was referenced in the link that the original dip stick stuck up too high. Any further suggestions/comments?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If by 'original dipstick' you mean the stick that came with the THM-350 that was built into the car, NO. But, if you mean that the 700-R4 transmission in your car has the same dipstick and tube that IT was built with, you will be fine. You cannot swap dipsticks and/or tubes with different models of transmissions or engines and expect them to read correctly. Could they read correctly? Maybe......
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 23, 2020 at 11:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 8
From: Bastrop Texas
7T1vette, I did not know a 700R4 came with the dip stick. If that is the case, I will assume it has the one that came with it. I will warm it up and go through the gears as MelWff suggested. If the dip stick still shows it to be overfilled, I plan to take it to the shop that changed the fluid and filter and have them drain out some fluid, and hope the rear seal has been damaged.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 881
Likes: 113
If in doubt whether DS is correct; go to local junkyard and get an OE stick AND tube from a vehicle with an OE 700r4.
most tubes are SEALED to trans housing with a pressed-in rubber O-Ring. Don't let any dirt into that union Nor allow any water into it. DO maintain integrity of that seal.
ANY water in auto trans WILL Destroy it Very Quickly.
most tubes are SEALED to trans housing with a pressed-in rubber O-Ring. Don't let any dirt into that union Nor allow any water into it. DO maintain integrity of that seal.
ANY water in auto trans WILL Destroy it Very Quickly.
Last edited by 71chimera; Aug 24, 2020 at 11:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 8
From: Bastrop Texas
MelWff, I did as you suggested and after warming up the fluid, I shifted through all the gears before placing it in park and checking the fluid level. It made a difference in that when I checked it the first time it showed about 1/2 inch about the full mark, and now after going through the gears it show about 1/8 to 1/4 above the full mark. I don't know if this is significant or not, but I will go ahead and take it back to the shop that did the fluid replacement and have some fluid pumped out to be on the safe side.
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions/comments. This is not the first time members of Corvette Forum have assisted me with my 76 Vette problems.
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions/comments. This is not the first time members of Corvette Forum have assisted me with my 76 Vette problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the dipstick in the 700R4 came with a 700R4 unit, then your dipstick will read correctly. Otherwise, you are just guessing.....and that's not a good thing to do with an automatic transmission. It is important to have the correct amount of oil in the transmission system.