Ken73

Just wanted to let everyone know that my 700R4 rebuild is sucessful as far as I'm concerned. I haven't posted anything in some time because I lunched a cam in the motor before I could even drive it more than a few miles. I've also undergone some pretty ugly personal events that prevented me from working on it, but I've finally got the car running again and the transmission is running great; the engine needs tuning of course but I haven't had an ounce of trouble with it.

I did NOT need any specialized tools other than a pair of snap ring pliers, and I made a spring compressor for the low/reverse clutch out of some 1/2" all-thread, a 1" piece of 3" PVC, and a couple of pieces of 1"x2"x4" wood with a hole in the center. The other two spring sets I simply had a couple of big wide screwdrivers that someone pushed down on the assembly while I popped the snap ring in/out. As for the input shaft seals, you do NOT need the "resizer" tool. I simply pried gently around the new seal until it was big enough with a pick. Don't concentrate on one area, move around and pry until it's big enough. Once it's big enough, use a hose clamp with something around the seal (so the hose clamp doesn't chew up the seal) to compress it back to it's proper size.

I have the video from technicalvideos.com which made it REALLY easy, and the Haynes manual for all four GM RWD transmissions. I also have the two ATSG books, the blue standard one and the '87-up update book. They weren't all that much help, however. The video and Haynes manual were the best resources.

I installed the Transgo SK700 Shift Kit; if you've never done a shift kit before, pay VERY close attention to the instructions! It's not something simple! Note with the Transgo kit, they divide up the parts into bags - the bags correspond to a particular page so you don't get things confused. Do one valve assembly at a time!

I also installed the thinner 3-4 clutch packs so I managed to cram 8 clutches in where 5 came out. However, you have to be careful of tolerances - I couldn't fit 9 clutches in; that was too many. If I put 8 thin ones in, it was too few - so I put 7 thin ones in and one thick one, which brought it right into tolerance.

The rest of the dis/re-assembly is fairly straightforward and actually quite simple - however, installing the reverse input drum over the input drum can be quite a hassle; don't get mad at it, take a break, go have a beer, something to cool off.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

mystikkal_69

iTrader: (2)

what snap ring pliers did u use? i've had trouble with the ones i have. they are too short and bulky. and that homemade tool for the reverse/low piston. any pics of it? i just took my trans' to the shop so they can do it. i haven't thought of making that tool.

86_Dan_Z28

iTrader: (1)

Lionsden

So here is where you have been hiding!



I have a '90 700R4 that I'm going through this winter.