ok, 88 Camaro, 350, 700R4 trans. Ok, the car had a tranny problem this weekend, got off of interstate 40, all of a sudden the car didn't want to shift anymore. It will run up to almost 5,000 rpm's before shifting and then really slam into the next gear. My friend and I took it to a tranny guy in the middle of AZ somewhere, he assures us it doesn't need rebuilt, but needs a TV Valve, and some other valve that controls shifting into overdrive. We were unable to get the car to shift into overdrive, however the tranny guy played with the TV cable, and restored somewhat normal shifting all the way into Drive. The tranny guy also assures us that 2nd and OD use the same band, so if 2nd works fine so will OD after this valve is replaced. Any thoughts, ideas, answers? i would really love to know how much of this is smoke being blown up my buddy's ****. And also, how much should he expect to pay to have these valves replaced? Thanks in advance.

 

Come on, I know someone in here has rebuilt a 700R4, or has at least had this problem, they seem to be pretty problematic.

 

Sounds like a reasonable story to me.
As far as price, that depends on how long it takes the mechanic and if any parts are needed.

 

The only thing out of that that is questionable to me is using the same band for 2nd and 4th. Is this true? If you have 2nd OD should work fine?

 

Ok, The camaro was taken to a trans. shop today, after having the car for only ten minutes they said the TV cable was out of adjustment, so it now shifts perfectly up into drive. However, it won't shift into overdrive, trans guy says "Sun gear" is broken. 1500$ rebuild, only option. I asked him if it could possibly be something in the valve body, and was told that it's not possible, this "Sun Gear" is the only possibility, meaning the trans needs a complete rebuild. I think the guy is trying to gouge my neighbor, any thoughts or suggestions? All the other tranny shops in town won't even touch it unless my neighbor commits to a full rebuild with prices varying from 1300-1500$. We live in 29 Palms so there really isn't anywhere else to take it, this place is a ****hole. Thanks.

 

How far away are you from Reno. Visit the Tranny Doctor at www.thetrannydoctor.com or call F.C. at 888-282-3668 he will be more than glad to help you out. Tell him Josh from thirdgen sent ya. New rebuilt tranny $899 w/ extras

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Hello. My name is F.C. The 700R4 transmission had many down falls from the factory which one of them was not enough clutches installed into the 3/4 pack. This happens all the time, every thing works fine then boom, your transmission starts acting up. Yes your TV valve probally got stuck in the bore not giving you any line pressure and you probally tried to get it to shift and by doing this you knocked out your 3/4 clutches and now there is no gear to go into. In the OD position your band and 3/4 pack are working together. In manual 2nd position you are using your band, forward cluches and input sprag, your 3/4 pack in manual 2nd is out of the picture. At my place of business cleaning (not replaceing TV valve) the TV valve and placing a helper spring into your valve body the cost would be about 250.00 but the down fall of that is something stopped your TV valve from working right. Will that something stop your TV valve from working again and the 250.00 that you spend did you just throw it away?? The only for sure way that you are going to get your valve cleaned is by overhauling your transmission and cleaning everything and if I'm right with you burning up your 3/4 pack you will need your transmission overhaul anyway. Check your pan, that wil tell what you want to know! F.C.

 

Too bad you're not in Illinois. I had a local shop do two 700R performance builds for me (bench jobs) for about $850 each.
Before I would spend $1500 for a regular rebuild, I would do one of two things.

1. spend the extra $ to get a complete performance built 700R (new tranny).

2. spend about $300 on a fresh th350, TC, and get the longer driveshaft from the junkyard.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, my neighbor found a place in Riverside (a little over an hour away) that is going to do an overhaul for 300$ They said this includes all soft parts (clutches seals, etc.) and also includes the valves, hopefully this is all it is. Thanks.

 

I own a transmission business. If that shop going to build you a trans for 300.00 my parts for a stock rebuild cost more then 300.00. think on this one! F.C.

 

For just the soft parts? they said any hard parts are extra.

 

I'm a little leary of the "$300" overhaul myself. Even if the parts only cost $100 (which is reasonable for a buisness, many "off brands" are not expensive), that would only leave $200 for total labor. That includes removal and reinstallation (R&R) and the actual overhaul. Most shops would charge $200+ just for the R&R so either this place is stupid, or they have a few "tricks" up there sleeve. Buyer beware.

As for the "sun gear" being broken, there are actually two sun gears, but if they are refering to the one I think they are, you would also loose 2nd and Reverse on top of no OD.

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Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
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-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Tranny doctor, a few questions for you:

If the 3/4 clutches are burnt, why is 3rd gear OK? I seriously doubt that the 3-4s are damaged. Burnt 3-4s will NOT cause a "no shift". If they were burnt, the tranny would shift from 2nd gear, to a percieved "nuetral" when its actually going back into first.

If the TV valve got stuck in its bore (which is a valid and frequent scenario) it isn't likely that it got stuck on low pressure, since all if his shifts were occuring at 5K, and slammed into gear. Thats an indication of MAX line pressure, not MIN. Even if you disconnect the TV Cable, the 700 has a "failsafe" that makes MAX line pressure in this condition to help save the tranny.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors, Whatever chip I feel like burning,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Yeah, he decided not to go with this 300$ guy on the advice here, like I said it will proabably save him more money down the road to buy from this place in Palm Springs for 850$ w/ exc.
Ok, I drove the car a little while ago, something that wasn't noticed before, it will "shift" into OD if I let off the gas, but is really in neutral, and when I touch the gas pedal the trans goes back to 3rd after revving back up to the 3rd rpm.

 

Just a comment, most if the "discount" transmission rebuilders get away with such low prices by having minimum-wage labour to do the re/re and disassembly, and a qualified tech might spend only 10 minutes with the transmission.