OK, so I have a V6 700R4 here that was totally free. Previous owner stated it still worked, was not rebuilt by him, driven daily for a while, had trouble in the morning, fluid never seemed burnt. (sounds a lot like mine LOL).

My original plan was to just throw this tranny in my car (2.8L 89 firebird, was from an 87 camaro 2.8L (dual snorkels) once mine finally bit the dust, but being that it turns out to have a very similar problem to what is wrong with mine (doesn't budge at all or even try to go in OD in the morning. Only goes in D sometimes, have been needing to go to 2 to get moving, i.e. use the bands to engage instead of the clutches. After a mile or 2 it's ok to shift back into D and eventually OD.) I'm going to attempt to rebuild it myself.

I've never done an automatic transmission before, I do have tool knowledge and experience, I've had more than one 305 down under the heads and beyond, and swapped a few transmissions out and helped a friend rebuild his manual, however I've never even seen the inside of an automatic.

It's absolutely no loss at all if I happen to reduce this thing to individual transmission molecules and they all just blow away. It doesn't matter if I kill it, I paid nothing for it, no loss. It could take me months and it wouldn't matter one bit. Worst case, no different than before, best case, I have a newly rebuilt transmission along with a lot of knowledge on how they work.

So anyone have any pointers? How about where to start? Is there a manual or maybe a webpage somewhere that has some info on the guts inside of a 700R4? Maybe the library is a good starting point? Any books I should look into?

 

Finding in depth transmission rebuild info is quite difficult. The best book is an ATSG manual. They can be found on e-bay for $20 each. They make 3 for the 700r4. 82-86 87-93 and an upgrade info book. Buy the book that suits your trans and read it. It is basically a gm reprint from the helms book. Read it and decide if you want to tackle it. If so, I can offer advise throughout the build.

 

Floor Guy,

I sent you a PM regarding trans oil pump assy question.

Thanks,

 

I just returned the pm. Let me know if I can help.

 

Got the transmission out on the porch, and the ATSG book on the way. $19.50 from ebay to my door. Should be here mid-week.

 

I would recommend reading it cover to cover before jumping in. Then jump in!

 

OK, I've gone through it 3 times completely as well as staring at it most of the day at work. I plan to read through several more times before I get all the tools together I need.

I found a few threads laying out the "absolutely" necessary tools, and some you can do without, or makeshift ways to do things (sockets as bushing installers for example). I could only find one place for the 2-4 servo compressor, and at $297, I think I'll keep searching for how to remove it without that tool.

I'm sure the bench mount stand that lets you rotate the tranny 360 is nice and all, but is there anything wrong with just having it on the ground? I'm thinking up ways to prop it up, and I forsee a saw, some 2x4s and some nails to build a holder in my future

As far as a trans rebuild kit goes, whats a place to start to get a lot of the stuff I'll need?

Is there anything particularly difficult or troublesome?