Installing a 700R4 -- tips please!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Illinois
Installing a 700R4 -- tips please!
Trying to install my 700R4 back into my 85 and Im running into some problems. I first tried to install tailshaft first but couldnt get the thing to line up right in the front. Then, I bolted front side first but now Im having a heck of a time getting the tailshaft into the C beam. Someone told me to try to avoid removing the rear bolts of the C beam (Idont know why) so I havent gone that route yet. Any suggestions?
BTW - I'm using 4 jackstands. Im very envious of people who have lifts!!!
BTW - I'm using 4 jackstands. Im very envious of people who have lifts!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
this should not be very hard.
raise the tranny up into postion, the drive shaft slides in as you go up and the c-beam will spring around the side...
do you have a tranny jack? If not, get this: Tranny Jack from Harbor Freight
raise the tranny up into postion, the drive shaft slides in as you go up and the c-beam will spring around the side...
do you have a tranny jack? If not, get this: Tranny Jack from Harbor Freight
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Castleton NY
When I put mine in (like you- 4 jackstands and about 1 inch between my chest and the floor pans), I didn't put the drive shaft in until after the tranny was in. I then put the driveshaft in - only you'll find you really can't do that with that C beam in the way.
My way around it...I slightly bent the metal that was in the way near the rear of the C beam...just hammered it out of the way. It didn't need to go much. I then slid the shaft into the tranny & bolted it to the rear-end. You'll see where it hits when you try to get it back in.
A lot of people may go nuts with what I just wrote. But honestly, it is not as bad as it sounds. Plus, I am bringing a ratty vette back from the dead...I do not have a 87 with 10k miles....more like 104k. If you don't have to deal with the driveshaft...your tranny should go right in. Best part - if you ever have to pull that shaft (new U-joints), it'll come right out without touching the tranny or C beam.
My way around it...I slightly bent the metal that was in the way near the rear of the C beam...just hammered it out of the way. It didn't need to go much. I then slid the shaft into the tranny & bolted it to the rear-end. You'll see where it hits when you try to get it back in.
A lot of people may go nuts with what I just wrote. But honestly, it is not as bad as it sounds. Plus, I am bringing a ratty vette back from the dead...I do not have a 87 with 10k miles....more like 104k. If you don't have to deal with the driveshaft...your tranny should go right in. Best part - if you ever have to pull that shaft (new U-joints), it'll come right out without touching the tranny or C beam.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Best technique is to bolt the front up to the motor, now you should be able to move the Tranny around by the tailshaft.
You will need to loosen the REAR C-Beam bolts, do not remove them, just loosen them. Now you will have alot of play in the C Beam to connect it to the tailshaft.
Install the driveshaft last after the C ceam is bolted up.
BTW, I did this with 4 jackstands also. It wasn't too bad.
Vic
You will need to loosen the REAR C-Beam bolts, do not remove them, just loosen them. Now you will have alot of play in the C Beam to connect it to the tailshaft.
Install the driveshaft last after the C ceam is bolted up.
BTW, I did this with 4 jackstands also. It wasn't too bad.
Vic
