C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

4+3 Transmission

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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 11:39 AM
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Default 4+3 Transmission

Well, I am elbows deep in replacing gasket, filter, and fluid in my '88s overdrive unit. In the event that I have continued issues after reassembly, I plan to take it to a local shop for their opinion on my the O/D will not engage. I have read other posts that refer to a '4+3 Rebuild Kit', but have been unsuccessful in finding anything on line. Would appreciate any tips on finding parts of this unit in case I have to go that route!
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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Ecklers catalog lists it as a "doug nash 4+3 rebuild kit" but S&K speed shop does the rebuilds on them and has a parts kit. ill try to find and post a link
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 01:13 PM
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Whoa!!! Hang on with the rebuild issue....there are about gazillion electrical inputs that need to be checked prior to you determining that.....

There is a trouble shooting guide that you need to follow to acurately determine why it is not engaging.............about step number 273 (sarcasm) states for you to rebuild.....

In my opinion......99.9% of the shops are going to suggest "rebuild" over replacing a $25 relay or a $32 pressure switch.....they have bills to pay and you are in a Vette....
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jhammons01
Whoa!!! Hang on with the rebuild issue....there are about gazillion electrical inputs that need to be checked prior to you determining that.....In my opinion......99.9% of the shops are going to suggest "rebuild" over replacing a $25 relay or a $32 pressure switch.....they have bills to pay and you are in a Vette....
Hear, hear, brother !
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by jhammons01
In my opinion......99.9% of the shops are going to suggest "rebuild" over replacing a $25 relay or a $32 pressure switch.....

Do they have any experience in 4+3"s?
Most shops have never seen one and didn't know anything about them even when they were a current trans which is why they got a bad rap.

Talk to Brian at SK Speed 1st
http://www.skspeed.com/
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jhammons01
Whoa!!! Hang on with the rebuild issue....there are about gazillion electrical inputs that need to be checked prior to you determining that.....

There is a trouble shooting guide that you need to follow to acurately determine why it is not engaging.............about step number 273 (sarcasm) states for you to rebuild.....

In my opinion......99.9% of the shops are going to suggest "rebuild" over replacing a $25 relay or a $32 pressure switch.....they have bills to pay and you are in a Vette....
Thanks for the words of caution . I was not yet going to run out to a shop with this unit. I just want to start thinking of the possibility of parts since this is a 22 yr old car. Spring is warming up and I am anxious to get this car off the blocks and back on the road.

Do you have any links/information for such a 'troubleshooting guide'?
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by dsmithh
Thanks for the words of caution . I was not yet going to run out to a shop with this unit. I just want to start thinking of the possibility of parts since this is a 22 yr old car. Spring is warming up and I am anxious to get this car off the blocks and back on the road.

Do you have any links/information for such a 'troubleshooting guide'?
Order a Factory Service Manual. It'll prove to be invaluable.
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by dsmithh
Thanks for the words of caution . I was not yet going to run out to a shop with this unit. I just want to start thinking of the possibility of parts since this is a 22 yr old car. Spring is warming up and I am anxious to get this car off the blocks and back on the road.

Do you have any links/information for such a 'troubleshooting guide'?
if you search out my 4x3 thread from '2007ish.....Agent 86 put it in there....Actually....I have the .pdf with it....send me your email and I'll send it that way to you.

Not sure what year this one is for....but Agent 86 has an '86 and he sent this one to me and I have an '84.....so go forth at your own peril...I'm not sure which version this manual goes with...but it is free
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by jhammons01
Not sure what year this one is for....but Agent 86 has an '86 and he sent this one to me and I have an '84.....so go forth at your own peril...I'm not sure which version this manual goes with...but it is free
And different years have different modes of operation
http://www.5speeds.com/43table.htm
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 12:53 AM
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That overdrive unit is a toy comparing to auto transmission. Get a book and fix it yourself.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 02:37 AM
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Originally Posted by rodj
And different years have different modes of operation
http://www.5speeds.com/43table.htm
The one I have states "Rev 12-85" at the bottom. I assume that means revision in December of 1985....which would mean this one is for an '86....

But the trouble shooting flow chart correctly diagnosed my issue way back when.....
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 02:39 AM
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Originally Posted by car5car
That overdrive unit is a toy comparing to auto transmission. Get a book and fix it yourself.
There are three long bolts that go to the front plate. These hold ~1500 lbs on the clutches. Take them apart the wrong way and

I'm not suggesting that someone not DIY...but claiming that it is a toy may not be 100% accurate.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by jhammons01
I'm not suggesting that someone not DIY...but claiming that it is a toy may not be 100% accurate.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...Overdrive+Unit
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:00 AM
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I have found an '88 manual on ebay and purchased this morning. While I might enjoy doing things I know I can handle with this car, sometimes you can make it worse and more $$ if you don't know what you are doing. It is sometimes safer to let your checkbook do the job!
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by dsmithh
It is sometimes safer to let your checkbook do the job!
As noted above , Brian at SK Speed is the man for parts and advice
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 10:43 AM
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Very nice Rodj......that one is bookmarked and safely tucked away
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by dsmithh
I have found an '88 manual on ebay and purchased this morning. While I might enjoy doing things I know I can handle with this car, sometimes you can make it worse and more $$ if you don't know what you are doing. It is sometimes safer to let your checkbook do the job!
Please confirm when you get the email with the .pdf
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 04:05 PM
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Just got it, thanks for sending.
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Old May 4, 2010 | 12:14 PM
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I have put the car back together with no change in the 0/D status. I now have the car to a shop in nearby Decatur, IN. They have advised that the overdrive solenoid is definitely not doing anything. He is going to try to find one via skspeed.com. I wonder if there are any other known sources for this part?
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Old May 4, 2010 | 12:29 PM
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The O/D solenoid won't do anything and unfortunately you have to pull the pan to check it....You can't check it from the outside due to it having an input from the Pressure Switch which is located inside........

So you can power that solenoid all day long from the outside and it will do anything
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