700r4 TV cable/problem HELP!!!

[cwilkie]

I finally got my 396bb running smoothly but I am having a problem with the 700r4 transmission. First of all the transmission took about 13 quarts of trans. fluid for it to move. Then once it moved I have to rev it up for it to pick up speed. I know there is a problem because the engine rpms are too high and the transmission jumps up through the gears way too quickly. Do any of you guys have any suggestions? At wide open throttle there is no slack on the tv cable? I never took off the pan when the tv cable was set.

Chance

[TugOwar]

First off, it took 13 quarts for it to move, but did 13 quarts fill it up exactly to the full mark? The few 700r4 I've had experience are real particualr about the fluid level being axactly right.

I'm looking for a link to a page that explains how to set the tv cable correctly. brb

[bagged91]

The TV cable is supposed to be set with a pressure guage. You have to put a PSI guage into one of the pipe plugs on the side of the trans. If you don't have the proper specs then it would be best to let a trans shop do it for you. If not, you WILL burn the trans up, quickly...

[cwilkie]

It has more than enough fluid because it says so on the dipstick. It's like it is not taking it's oil because. What do you think?

[TugOwar]

try this page http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/index.php

lotta good info including how to set the tv cable.

[Blue85]

There should be a button on tv cable where it set sits in the carb bracket, press the button in and pull on the cable from the backside until it stops (actually pulling on the plastic tube) release the button and turn your carb to wide open throttle the tv cable should automatically set itself, should hear "clicking" as the tv cable comes out the first time, this is how i did mine and has worked great for years

[Longhorn Man]

You might want to look at www.bowtieoverdrives.com too, they have the parts you'll need to get it 100% right.
Since you have it in a nonstock aplication, you need to do more than a pop the adjuster, floor it and click it in place.
Blue85 may have gotten lucky, he may have it all on a stock engine that was intended for that tranny, but many people have ruined gm overdrive trannys due to misadjusted TV cables, even if it feels right, it can still be in self destruct mode. And you'll never know untill one day it simply won't move.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I know that a 700R4 should take 5 quarts for just the pan alone. If your trans and torque converter were completely empty when you filled it then it will take much more than that. I think mine took 12 or 13 quarts when completely empty. I'd check it once the trans is warm and it should be at the proper level. You don't want too much fluid in it either because that will cause problems as well. I'd recommend the BO kit. Takes out all of the guess work. Also, did you use a lock-up kit with a brake switch for the torque converter?

[Blue85]

Longhorn man, it was a warmed over 355 small block in my 85 chev i used to have worked great for 5 years, must have gotten lucky i guess.

[cdowns]

i adjusted my TV with the manual adjustment had over 80K miles on it with no problems i think bowtie overdrines is very orerrated

[Smitty]

Go to the Website that Tugowar recommended. TVmade EZ it is a site by Bowtie Overdrive and it will get you where you should be with that transmission! That's the way I set mine and have had no problems at all!

[Smitty]

CDowns may be right. But if you are unsure and want it right so that you aren't throwing money into repairs it is an excellent way to do it!

[cwilkie]

I called Mad Dog Transmissions and told them the problem. After telling them the installation process I used they recommended sending out a "light weight" governor that should correct the problem. If that does not correct the problem they'll do what it takes to make sure it's working properly. They are really helpful and patient. One thought though. Doesn't the governor control the forward gears and not have anything to do with the reverse? Because all the gears, R, OD, D, 2, & 1, all require high rpms. For example, my truck was running at 3500rpm in 3rd gear only going 45mph. Since the 700r4's first two gears are lower than a th400, I should have been just getting into 3rd gear at that speed. What do you guys think? I want to drive my truck

[Longhorn Man]

gov isn't going to do anything, sounds like they are throwing parts at it to me.

[Already Gone]

I know this may sound like a dumb question, but are you sure the trans is in good working order? Where did it come from and do you know if it has been rebuilt? I have a 700R4 sitting in my garage that is going into my 72 Long Box 396/350 HP.. I know that my trans has only 25k on it since a complete rebuild and I'm curious to see what your problem actually is so I can maybe avoid it when I get mine installed.

[cdowns]

under light load normal driving conditioons you should be into 4th gear by 40mph

[cwilkie]

My mechanic/father thinks that as well. The tranny seems like it is not building any pressure. Kinda like the filter is plugged. I guess I'll have to go through the process of elimination. I got it from Mad Dog Transmissions and it is supposed to have a one year warranty so we'll see. This situation gets to me because I spent a lot of money on that transmission and I waited a long time to get my truck running after the rebuild and now I can't drive it. Suggestions are welcome.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by cwilkie

My mechanic/father thinks that as well. The tranny seems like it is not building any pressure. Kinda like the filter is plugged. I guess I'll have to go through the process of elimination. I got it from Mad Dog Transmissions and it is supposed to have a one year warranty so we'll see. This situation gets to me because I spent a lot of money on that transmission and I waited a long time to get my truck running after the rebuild and now I can't drive it. Suggestions are welcome.

Sorry CWILKIE, I didnt realize you had bought a rebuilt trans... I'm curious to see if your gas mileage improves a whole bunch with the 700 trans..

[VetteVet]

Here's TCI's site for fluid capacity and there is a menu on the left with several pages of info and line pressure is among them. Of course no one will go and look at them cause they never seem to notice when I post a link. Sob!!
http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/fluid_capacity.htm

[cwilkie]

VetteVet, I'll check them out. I have nothing else to do until that governor arrives. This sucks though. I paid a good amount of cash for a rebuilt transmission and my truck can't even move. Well Rome wasn't built in a day so I guess I'll just have to continue to be patient and see what happens. I would like to thank all of you for all your help and I will keep you all posted on this matter. Hopefully that part will come in by tomorrow so I can get to tinker with it all weekend.

On a different note. I mentioned my motor was rebuilt because I wanted .060 pistons in my 396bb and I also wanted to change from open chamber to closed chamber heads. Now is it just me or does the closed chamber heads have a big difference in sound. It's almost like my trucks seems to have a crisper sound from the exhaust. Or am I full of $hit?

Oh, please keep the advice on the transmission coming.