1. Home
  2. Classic Trucks Forums
  3. Automatic trans advice needed

Automatic trans advice needed

I have a 72 chev with a 350 engine and 350 trans. This is a Fleetside 2WD. It will soon have a new warmer engine but not anything too radical. The engine will have an Edelbrock Performer and a Holley 650 Street Avenger and a mild Crane cam. I want to put in an overdrive transmission to get better highway milage. I had planned to go to a salvage yard and pickup either a good trans or a good core and have it rebuilt. Thought I wanted a 700R4. Any suggestions on year or model might be the best for a non computer vehicle? I understand there are solutions to the problems of making this transplant. First of all what are the problems and what are the work arounds? I am willing to do some basic wiring and even a different driveshaft / trans mount if needed. What adapter kits are available? I have read in different posts that the first ones built from 1982 thru 1986 had problems/weaknesses that were fixed with the 87 and newer units. What were the problems? Then I understand that in the 90's sometime they changed the name of the 700R4 to 4L60. Then came the electronic 4L60E. Do I have my facts straight? What would be the best way to go on picking out a trans for this truck? Are there part numbers on the trans to pick out the best years or other physical characteristics? Any tips on a replacement torque converter? Thanks a bunch in advance. This will be a daily driver.

Reply to
William G.
Loading thread data ...

I put a 700R4 in my 69 C10. I moved th crossmember back and drilled new holse for the bolts. I had the driveshaft shortened. I bough the trans from a trans dealer. Here in the Fort Worth area there are probably 4-5 dealers who sell them outright. Should be similar for any midsized city.

regards, Le> I have a 72 chev with a 350 engine and 350 trans. This is a Fleetside 2WD.

Reply to
Leon Corley

Thanks. Did you have to do any wiring to make ther thing lock into overdrive? Any idea what year the tranmission was made? I am assuming it was not the electronic version. Thanks again Bill

Reply to
William G.

Yes, I have a very simple control for the lockup converter. I copied the 83-84 Chevy pickup system. There are also quite a few vendors who offer control setups for the 700R4.

If you want to take advantage of the capabilities of the 4L60E, ther are also several vendors who offer controllers for this version of the trans in addition to GM.

I suspect you are concerned about the year of manufacture because of the "common knowledge" that early 700R4s have some weak points. This only applies to transmissions built by GM. The quality of any aftermarket transmission is controlled by the builder. Any recenctly built 700R4 by a reputable builder will be equivalent or better than the later-model GM version.

regards, Leon

William G. wrote:

Reply to
Leon Corley

Go to bowtie overdrives.com they have all of the parts that you need to convert to an overdrive transmission. I put a 2004r in my 72 GMC that came stock with a turbo 350. The 2004r is the same length as the 350 turbo and it takes the same driveshaft spline as the 350. So you dont have to move the crossmember.

Reply to
p427

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.