Tranny questions (700R4)

[DoobieBrother]

Ok, I think I know the answer to this, but thought I float it past you guys for opinions. Is there any way through just visual inspection to know the chances a tranny will be solid? I have a possible line one a 700R4 (the model I want in my truck) but it's one of those as-is take a look and see if you want it deals. Basically I found a guy that had a situation where he was leasing out his place and the deal went bad. Now he's selling all of the tenants stuff which includes a couple of 700R4's. I was thinking if they looked good enough visually that I may take both and take them to a tranny shop. Pick the best one and if necessary use the other for parts. I want a solid 700R4 that can handle a good deal of power and shift well, but I'm not ready to lay out $1500 +. Just figured if this could be a good deal, it might be cool.

[Goodguytrucks]

I wouldn't hurt to take the chance and grab them....I know there is usually a core charge so maybe you could make a deal with the tranny shop with giving him a core......You have to ask yourself the question....If the trannys were no good would the guy have them?

[cdowns]

you take a chance on any used tranny/ this past weekend at the swapmeet i saw a few 700's and the going prices here were about $150-$250

[bobthecop]

I was thinking $1500. sounded high for 2 used tranny's. Seems to me all you have there are 2 cores.

[DoobieBrother]

$1500+ is what I was thinking to do up a fresh 700R4 with the power handling I want. I'm waiting on a price for these uknowns. IF I mess with them, I won't pay more than like $100 each.

[67ChevyRedneck]

^I think he's saying that he wouldn't mind taking the chance on a couple used cheapies than drop $1,500 on a new rebuilt one.

I put a used one in my 67.... it lasted 5K


Ooops, too slow

[bobthecop]

That sounds better, but I found a place here to build one strong for about $750.00, a buddy of mine, who drag races has had him build one for his race car with no problems, the builder was a GM tranny tech for 20+ years and knows what he's doing. Maybe I'm out of touch with what it costs now, the quote was about a year or so ago.

[Orange]

I will put in a shameless plug here for my fresh 700R4. I did a ton of research, and I finally settled for one from Mad Dog Transmissions near Tampa. He has different levels, and I got the top one, the "Godfather". It is unreal. Up to 700hp. I could not be happier. The price was less than $1500 too. Might want to check it out.

DLB

[Sonny]

For $1500 you should be able to go to the local Tranny shop and buy one from them installed for that much.

[70GMCer]

...smell the fluid. Should not smell burnt. If you can, drop the pan and look for visible signs of big pieces of metal or fiber fillings. You're still taking a change on finding no visible signs and still be bad. On more thing, try and date the tranny. Don't get one that was made from 1985 on back. They're junk, unless they've been rebuilt and with the 30 spline input shaft. Usually, when a trans shop rebuilds one, they mark something on the case in crayon or paint.

[mnunn454]

I gave $150 for a known, non-working 700R4 core, but it has a 2500 stall converter with it. I plan to go through it and beef it up myself for eventual install behind a 496.

I'd think $100 each (with the converters) is a decent price. I would do a pan-off visual as described above before making the final decision.

Glad to hear the 700 HP Mad Dog tranny for $1500 worked out. That seems reasonable too, IMO.

[dan42]

Maybe a stupid question - can you use the stock steering column and shift linkage with the 700R4? What do you use for the shift indicator? Sorry about hijacking this thread -

[DoobieBrother]

Originally Posted by dan42

Maybe a stupid question - can you use the stock steering column and shift linkage with the 700R4? What do you use for the shift indicator? Sorry about hijacking this thread -

All questions I have to figure out as I go. I'm definitely learning. Just have it in my head that a 700R4 is going to give me the characteristics I want. And heck at the moment I don't even have a shift indicator. I'll add one later. This is a truck we inherited from my wife's grandfather. It was a 3 speed on the column. Some years ago when he was getting older, he had a new 350 dropped in and converted to an auto.

Problem now is they hung all the old stuff on the new 350. So it's got old smog pump, exhaust, intake, 2bbl Rochester etc. And a 3 speed tranny. So, utlimately I intend to rebuild it all for some performance.

[bobthecop]

Yes the steering column will work, you just can't shift all the way down to 1st. Did it to a 72 3/4 ton I built 10 yrs ago.