2004r no reverse, no second

[Andy69]

Hi all

The folks over at Team Chevelle said you guys know 200-4rs better than anyone. I must admit I am a transmission dimwit, so I need all the help I can get. I just converted from a Powerglide in my 69 Chevelle. I picked up a 200-4r from a boneyard out of an 86 Buick Regal S, with a 307 V8. After breaking in the cam on my new engine (350, about 330 hp), I took it for a little spin around the block. Some problems came to light:

1. Very little reverse. Just enough to back it out of the garage and get it moving down the driveway. It slips like crazy if I give it any gas at all.

2. First gear is good, but it's very reluctant to shift into second.

3. I can get it to shift into second by lifting off the gas, but second gear slips like crazy.

4. I don't know about 3rd or 4th because I haven't gotten the car over 25 mph.

I changed the fluid and filter before I installed it. I also bought a TV Made EZ kit from Bowtie Overdrives for a Q-jet equipped car and changed the valve body spring as per the instructions. I also adjusted the TV cable per their instructions, then readjusted it after the first test drive.

I'm thinking the trans is toast, but I could use the opinions of those who are much more knowledgible than I. Should I perhaps pick up a pressure gauge and do some more checking or should I just go ahead and yank it? What might be causing the problem? If I replace it with a reman from, say, O'Reilly's for the same application (86 Buick), would that be sufficient or should I opt for something beefier? I want something that's going to stand up to the new engine but not something that's going to snap my neck when it shifts either.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Andy

 

[TURBOTOMZ]

Hi all

The folks over at Team Chevelle said you guys know 200-4rs better than anyone. I must admit I am a transmission dimwit, so I need all the help I can get. I just converted from a Powerglide in my 69 Chevelle. I picked up a 200-4r from a boneyard out of an 86 Buick Regal S, with a 307 V8. After breaking in the cam on my new engine (350, about 330 hp), I took it for a little spin around the block. Some problems came to light:

1. Very little reverse. Just enough to back it out of the garage and get it moving down the driveway. It slips like crazy if I give it any gas at all.

2. First gear is good, but it's very reluctant to shift into second.

3. I can get it to shift into second by lifting off the gas, but second gear slips like crazy.

4. I don't know about 3rd or 4th because I haven't gotten the car over 25 mph.

I changed the fluid and filter before I installed it. I also bought a TV Made EZ kit from Bowtie Overdrives for a Q-jet equipped car and changed the valve body spring as per the instructions. I also adjusted the TV cable per their instructions, then readjusted it after the first test drive.

I'm thinking the trans is toast, but I could use the opinions of those who are much more knowledgible than I. Should I perhaps pick up a pressure gauge and do some more checking or should I just go ahead and yank it? What might be causing the problem? If I replace it with a reman from, say, O'Reilly's for the same application (86 Buick), would that be sufficient or should I opt for something beefier? I want something that's going to stand up to the new engine but not something that's going to snap my neck when it shifts either.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Andy

Go get yourself a T-400 or if you want overdrive get a 700R4 or spend alot of money again, again & again. Or drive it easy and dont beat on it and it will last forever. IMOA

 

[2quiktocare]

If you want to maintain an overdrive in your car, please, do yourself a big favor, don't even consider a 700 R4. They are heavy, inefficient, and for a quality unit is no cheaper than an equally built 200R4. The 200 4R will out perform a 700 with reliability and durability any day of the week. We build both, so I have no preferance for either, other than wanting to give our customers the best they can have.

With that said, the trans you have is probably toast and needs to be gone thru. You aren't pushing a lot of power thru it so you would be fine with a good rebuild from a reputable trans shop. Most shops out there will not built it properly, so beware who you have do it. The closest shop near you I would say to check with is S.E. Turbo. I don't think they do rebuilds, but they are in the Atlanta area and Paul, the owner could possibly set you up with someone qualitfied near you.

Mark

 

[chris718]

both will work.i think a heavy chevelle with a numerically low final drive ratio will like the 700r4 better.as long as you use a 112 or 110 lca camshaft it wont suffer the severe loss of booster signal across the carburetor venturies on a 1/2 ratio change on a normally aspirated application.the 700r4 s unique design reverses the held and driven members of the planetary gearset to provide a 3.06 first gear ratio .it uses the sun g ear as the input member which is the reverse of conventionally planet designs.this unique configuration produces an engine braking effect(although slight)when in overdrive.if we were to reverse the input members without altering the tooth count we would have a gear ratio similar to a th 350.the direct clutches are always in rotation with the clutch housing reducing power consumption when compared to the 350 400 2004rs heavy direct clutch drum as well as its rotation against the engine in first,its motionless period in 2nd ,and then its need to be again run up with the turbine shaft in third gear.this robs power.with the advent of our 2.66 first gear set this trans is truly another unique piece of automotive genius.valve body hydraulics are very similar to the 2004r ,although several improvements have been implimented making it more user friendly in the hydraulic department especially because it doesnt use a flyball style governer.based on the desired starting line ratio needed ,the final drive ratio ,camshaft,engine and use a wise selection can be made between the 2.if you want to build a 2004r be sure to grab my 200 page manual so you can do it right.full build ups on both units are on my site.feel free to phone or email us if you have any further qs.

 

[84gnguy]

Are you sure any of this isn't fluid level related?
What did the old fluid/filer look like? Any major murkiness to the old fluid or material in the pan?

 

[Andy69]

Are you sure any of this isn't fluid level related?
What did the old fluid/filer look like? Any major murkiness to the old fluid or material in the pan?

Fluid looked good, as did the filter. No filings or bits of metal anywhere in the pan or filter. I filled it to full on the dipstick before startup, then checked it during breaking and had to add about 2 more qts. It still only took 10 qts total. Perhaps the TC still had some old fluid in it?

Andy

 

[84gnguy]

Andy,I would add 2 more quarts and test drive