Interchange parts, roller bearings for 2004R

[clusolynn]

Hello, I'm hoping someone on the board might know what Torrington bearings from other transmissions might interchange with the 2004R without extensive machine work. Recently a friend of mine rebuilt his Turbo 400 using resources from this board and gnttype.org to determine several interchangeable parts, including a Torrington bearing out of a Ford AOD. There were several others that ALL fit without any machine work to rollerize the trans. What is available for the 2004R? Thanks in advance for any help, John.

 

[clusolynn]

ttt

Is this a taboo subject?

 

[jakeshoe]

It's not taboo but there are two things that limit the answers.

One is you are asking for something that for the most part doesn't exist.
With the average thrust washer thickness being .060" and most torrington bearings being more than double that, there isn't going to be a drop in bearing that doesn't require machining.

There is one location on the 200-4R that has a bearing update from GM that should always be done IMO.

Two you are asking for experienced builders that make their livings from this information to give it to you for free, and in front of an open audience.

It takes considerable time to determine a good fitting bearing for a specific application.
You either find one from the hundreds of units you've rebuilt that will fit.
You buy (spend $$) bearing kits until you find one.
You go to your supplier who will let you look because you spend $$ with them frequently,
or you know of the proper resources to look up torrington bearing I.D, O.D, and thickness and you spend valuable time researching and find the bearing you THINK will work.

A builder can spend 10 hrs of time to find ONE bearing for ONE specific location.
That's $700 worth of labor time that you will only recover by adding cost to your product with the hopes that the customer base will agree it's worth it, selling the parts to other builders, or selling the knowledge to others.
It takes a LONG time to get that $700 back one bearing at a time....

So most builders are not going to give that info away.

Good luck with your search, be prepared to do some machining.

 

[bison]

Well said Jake. Anyone with the skill to build an automatic should be able to look through a bearing catalog and pick out suitable bearings and determine the needed machining based on the actual bearing dimensions. The truth is there are different bearings that could be used in the same locations which would require different machining. No big deal though. The same way high performance trans builders did it for years. Search it out and apply it. Some builders will sell you all the needed bearings and you can do the machining yourself. Or you can sent them the parts to be machined and have it all done with no worry. You still need to adjust the rear, center and front end play though.

 

[clusolynn]

Harsh!

You're both right! But, I have attempted other means to get this information. I have purchased a few books and done some research and attempted to contact several members by PM for information. Yes, I was trying to get something for nothing! By the same token though, I'm not offended and completely understand the reluctance to share this type of information. I understand enough to realize the work it is going to require to attain this knowledge on my own, I was hoping to get some input. Every little bit helps, jakeshoe's mention of the update gave me a new direction to look. Also, I no longer wrench for a living so I don't have as many opportunities to learn and share with other mechanics. ANY input is greatly appreciated, if it doesn't help directly, it may indirectly, causing me to think in another direction. Thanks, John.