Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

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Old 07-12-2014, 10:01 AM
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Car: 91 RS/ 99 T/A/ 72 Vette/ 02 Z28
Engine: LSx/ Dart400
Transmission: M6/ M6/ TH400/ 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 4.10's / 3.08/ 2.73
Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

Yes, really. I want to squeeze 400,000 miles out of the original transmission that's never had a rebuild etc. Finally clear of a 5 hour traffic jam in the middle of a 600 mile road trip, the transmission slipped some when hitting 75 mph. I pulled over sat for a few minutes restarted drove to the nearest exit had dinner and let the car fully cool off for an hour and a half. Transmission was fine for the rest of the trip.

Max temperature was about 235 degrees.
The Mobile 1 ATF has 7,000 miles on it & fresh filter

I'm not interested in having the 700 rebuilt.

I'm thinking at least pull the pan dump the fluid and fresh Mobile 1 ATF & new filter. What else can I do?

Cost isn't an issue being stubborn and seeing the odometer roll 400,000+ miles is what I interested in.

Side note: Counted 24+ disabled vehicles in the traffic jams pulled off to the side of interstate. Most had cooling issues. Many were less than 7 years old. About half of the disabled vehicles were Chrysler/Dodge/AMC products another third were Mitsubishi products. Otherwise no patterns.

Thank you in advance or you input.
Old 07-12-2014, 11:54 AM
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jmd
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

A full tank of gas, some jack stands, a brick, and time.
Old 07-12-2014, 12:18 PM
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

Originally Posted by jmd
A full tank of gas, some jack stands, a brick, and time.



I'd say change the fluid,filter and pray.
Old 07-12-2014, 12:49 PM
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

the biggest aftermarket trans cooler you can find and stop driving over 72.
Old 07-12-2014, 05:35 PM
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Car: 91 RS/ 99 T/A/ 72 Vette/ 02 Z28
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Transmission: M6/ M6/ TH400/ 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 4.10's / 3.08/ 2.73
Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

Originally Posted by TTOP350



I'd say change the fluid,filter and pray.
Too funny...didn't think about jackstands & a brick

Trans - cooler is an excellent idea.

Also think adding an in line magnefine filter, bottle of Red Lube Guard, deep pan & pick up maybe part of the plan.

I'm not sure I could drive under 75...that would be torture.
Old 07-12-2014, 08:54 PM
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

Originally Posted by Arctic White 91 RS
Max temperature was about 235 degrees.
I'm assuming the outside temp was pretty hot. What thermostat are you running? If still a 195, replace with a 180 or 160. Also, a nice trans cooler. Otherwise, only 16K to go, be gentle and keep your fingers crossed!
Old 07-13-2014, 10:54 AM
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Car: 91 RS/ 99 T/A/ 72 Vette/ 02 Z28
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

Yes, maybe I should swap back to a 160 stat. The ERG valve carbons fast on my rs with 160 stat.

Car has a 180 thermostat (no - stick type). When water was replaced two years ago briefly had a stock 195 but that was too hot. Cooling system is in good shape with all of the following replaced in last two years: radiator, fan motor, hoses, heater core and fresh coolant. Head gaskets are good passed the chemical exhaust gas test twice.

These is a small coolant leak on the intake manifold has been there for 7+ years.

Sitting at idle stayed under 220 for 4 hours...then started to creep upward to 235.

Outside temp was 87 per my smartphone but in the sun on the interstate idling in traffic I think it was closer to 95 or so...felt that way.
Old 07-14-2014, 06:53 AM
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

A few years ago I rebuilt a 4l60e with over 300k miles on it. Its demise was a couple shift accumulator pistons wearing out. While you have the pan dropped for a fluid change you could check these if you want to. It's pretty early so I can't remember if the valvebody needs to be dropped or not.
The pistons are only a few $ each if you want to make sure they are in good shape.
Old 07-14-2014, 10:02 AM
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

fluid, filter, and a very light foot.
Old 07-14-2014, 11:32 PM
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Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

I would add the Corvette servo to start with as this will improve the 3-4 clutch life, and firm up the 1-2 shift a little and depending on how much you want to spend, there are other things that can be done.
Old 07-15-2014, 03:14 AM
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Car: 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 Overdrive Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1 Positraction
Re: Looking for game plan to extend life of original 384,000 mile 700R4

When you shift it, be gentle with it, think of the shifter as a loaded gun with the safety off whenever you pull it down from park, nice smooth crisp shifts, no quick yanking back and forth of the shifter into gear. And keep it under 65 in OD, no burnouts, no hard accelerations. No 360s. No 180s.

but yeah, lifting it on jack stands is kinda cheating

Here in L.A. since we don't have mile long roads from street corner to street corner and since there's A stop light every 100 yards, you can drive it around the block as many times as you want to on weekends slowly just to accumulate mileage gently over time. Wait till the the neighborhood kids are out playing and give them a thrill hearing the car's loud exhaust just idle by a couple hundred times. Lol
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