My 700r4 is giving up the ghost...

[ghettopenny]

I have an 86 camaro with a 2.8 and 700R4. A month or so ago I changed the trans. pan gasket and trans filter. Two days ago it started to slip in OD. It was occassional and minor. It has become worse with a quickness. The fluid level is fine and the fluid is not burnt nor was it burnt when I changed the gasket and filter. Im not surprised that its going out. It is the original trans with 175,000 miles on it and it is my understanding that the 700R4 '86 and older had a design flaw. Sooo... Im getting a used trans from an '89 camaro and it is said to have 93,000 miles on it. 5 digit odometers leave that up for speculation. I know that rebuilding an automatic transmission is best left to the professionals but Im tempted to try it myself. Has anyone ever rebuilt one? What are the pitfalls? What brand rebuild kit is preferred? Any other suggestions? I can be talked out of trying it

[DEI37]

Well, if you have the ambitions, and some common sense, you have two transmissions if you get the one. Get it, install it, and then rebuild the one, and go from there. That would be my thought.

[JohnnyReb]

83's suck. The ones with aux valve body and 28 spline input. Always remove and throw away. Your 86 is a good tranny but the K case identified by no plugs on the side are the best 88/89 and up. Just some minor updates but they made a diffrence. 700s are pretty simple to rebuild. Watch out for accumulator bore problems along with busted accumulator springs. Your 86 has a 7 vane pump with vane rings prone to breaking. Update with a 10 vane pump and hardened vane rings. If your band is burnt go ahead and replace the drum. It may look good but chances are its not. The 89 has updated sprags, those parts can be used in your 86. Buy a ATSG manual, cheap on eBay. They explain all the real changes and parts interchange. You need a dial indicator and stand, calipers and some specialty tools to remove the reverse apply and to install new input seals. You also need a clutch pack compressor. Keep a super clean work area. I use vasoline to retain balls and bearings, I had trouble with grease before not wanting to let loose. If its your first rebuild don't waste money buying the specialty tools, take the few parts that need these tools to a tranny shop and have them do it. No reason to drop 300-400 on tools you won't use again. Be careful and don't throw your steels away. There are some spacer plates that look like steels. Buy a v8 rebuild kit. It will go right in your case and add additional holding power. Might loose a little power to turning a couple clutches but you will never know it. Also before you install that 89 go ahead and install a new governor gear. Its a plastic gear that costs maybe 12 bucks. They wear out and shear the teeth. Or a reverse drop will kill them instantly. Anyone ever do a reverse drop and then find you need ultra high rpm to get a 2nd shift. Thats what you did, killed the gov gear.