700R4 conversion

[billogna]

I have a TH400 and would like to install a 700R4. I think I will need my driveshaft modified and a crossmember, but I heard that I wouldn't be able to keep my original steering column. I would like to have all my bases covered before I jump into this, as I always run into little details that aren't mentioned in articles.

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'69 Custom 10 SB
'66 Mustang Sprint
'77 Sportster

[Bill72BB]

Bill: Try this site ,Steve at Bowtie is very helpfull. http://www.700r4.com/

Bill

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72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB,400 air,ps,pb,leafsprings
tilt,3.54 . 82 chevy silverado sb ,ps,pb pw,pd,air 350/350 Flowmaster 40.
Torrance Calif.

" If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself "

[1-PU70]

I went from a 350 to 700R4 and used same steering column. Can even shift to first, it goes past 1 no promlem. Even used same linkage.

[BubbaGreen]

Make sure the 700R4 has a cable driven
speedometer connection. Might want to
find out what gears you need to have your
speedo read correctly (not a requirement,
but really nice).
I am not sure if a 400 output yoke is the
same for a 700R4...the th-350 seems to be
the same, someone else will need to confirm
this one. If you have a short bed, now
would be the time to eliminate the two-piece
drive shaft and have a single one made up.
Might want to get a new tranny mount either
rubber or polyurathane and the crossmember
will most likely need to be moved back a
bit and new holes drilled. Also, depending
on how you want the torque converter to act,
get a kit that allows the unit to work without
a computer or external switch...I think summit
sells these, as well as www.700R4.com which
is a very good source for info. Other big
thing is to get a bracket to fit your motor
that will fit your existing throttle and the
TV-cable (and make absolutely sure the TV
cable is set correctly, or you wont get a
chance to *enjoy* that tranny for long).
I have found a bracket from a TBI engine
that had a 350 and 700R4 works great, will
allow the use of the original throttle cable
(71~72), fit the TV cable, and bolt to a
stock 350 manifold....you just have to cut
the top notch a little more open than it is.
But it works great. If you want a newer
style throttle cable that has a hole in the
end instead of the ball-joint, get one for a
'84 chevy 350, it too will work great, need
to cut a slit in the end of the throttle
lever (inside the cab, dremel works great, with a cut-off bit) and slighly enlargen the
pass-thru hole in the fire wall, a small file
will do this...approx 1/16" and will fit like
it was stock!
Good LUck.


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71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside WAS:307w/3-on-the-tree NOW:350TBI/700R4/3.73
See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich

[billogna]

Thanks so much for the info all of you. I'm not worried about the tailshaft yoke yet, but one of my frinds has a '72 w/ a TH350, and another has an '86 Chevy, so I'll be taking measurements, comparing parts, and such, before I start on this project, which will probably be in the fall. I have only been registered on the message board a couple of days and have already answered a couple of questions I've wondered about for a couple of years. I'm going to print this out so I don't lose/ forget it.

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'69 Custom 10 SB
'66 Mustang Sprint
'77 Sportster

[one legged lance]

I just did the conv. from a 350ci/T400 to a 350ci/7004 from bowtie www.700r4.com and I love it. Those guys helped out tons and the only thing I would do different is order the crossmember they sell since it would have saved me an hour or two in mods. I gave them my rear axle ratio & tire size so the trans came with the correct gears and in the month I have been driving in the Phx heat (mid 90's already) it has worked perfect!!!!
I just thought you might want to hear from someone who just did the work.
1 Leg Lance