Will the 1-2 accumulator housing from a 4l60e bolt to and work on a 700r4? I know the pin diameter will be different (thus necessitating the proper pin and piston with matching diameter), but other than that, would it work?

I want to replace the 1-2 accumulator on a 91 700r4 (I suspect it may be binding in the bore or stuck from sitting), but it seems that finding a 4L60e housing is much easier than the old 700r4 housing.

 

Yes it will.

THM700-R4:


There are multiple versions of the 4L60E Housing (differences are in regard to the Guide-Pin thickness, and the overall bore depth and shape of the entire Housing).

THM700-R4 and 1993 through 1996/1997 have a THICK 0.308" Guide-Pin.
1998 and Up have a THIN 0.236" Guide-Pin.

The next Image is of 2 different versions of the THIN Pin Housings. Just the Bore depth is different between the 2 Housings in the Image.
4L60E with the THIN design Guide-Pin (Late version with THIN Pin is on the Left, and Early version with THIN Pin is on the Right):



1998 through 2002 Model-Years are the EARLY Design of the THIN Pin Housings.
2003 and Up Model-Years are the Late Design of the THIN Pin Housings.

Which way are you going to stack your Piston and Spring(s)?
I will recommend an EARLY or LATE Design Housing based on your answer.

 

I will be doing the piston/spring stack in the same way that is stock for the '91 700r4: piston into the accumulator housing first, with the spring(s) between the piston and the separator plate. The goal is a stock (or SLIGHTLY firmer than stock) 1-2 shift feel.

The whole reason I'm doing this is I suspect a broken accumulator spring, but I'm not sure what condition the piston/pin/housing will be in once I remove it. I'd rather just bolt on a new accumulator setup (new housing, pin, piston, spring(s) etc.) and be done with it.

The easiest option available to me is a stock late 4L60E 1-2 accumulator with the stock dual spring setup (inner / outer spring both on the same side of the piston). I'm NOT sure, but I am GUESSING that I could just flip the piston/spring order (i.e. put the piston into the housing first, followed by the springs - the opposite way of a modern 4L60E) and get a more or less "stock" feeling 1-2 shift out of that setup on my 700r4.

 

To have the Spring against the Separator Plate (as shown in the Image ABOVE on the LEFT side):
You will want the EARLY 4L60E THIN Pin Version that is from 1998 through 2002 Model-Years.

This way, you install the Piston into the Housing...
Then the Spring(s) go against the Separator Plate.

 

The LATE THIN Pin Version (2003 and Up) has a deeper bore...
With the Piston in the Housing (so that the Spring would go to the Separator Plate)...
The Bore is TOO DEEP. The Spring will be down too deep to reach the Separator Plate (resulting in No spring tension).