700r4 Rebuild Advice Wanted

[DixieWASP]

I am taking auto mechanics classes at a local community college. Around the first of June, I will rebuild my two-wheel drive 1989 Silverado's original 700r4 transmission with the guidance of my instructor. My truck has the original 350 V8 and retains the TBI system.

Does anyone have suggestions on what fluid to use in the rebuilt transmission? Are there upgrades that should be made while I am rebuilding the transmission?

Any advice will be appreciated!

 

[RDF1]

Dex/merc III or Dex VI. Either will be fine.

 

[df2x4]

^X2. GM recommends Dexron 6 now, but the automatics in these trucks originally came with Dexron 3 so either one will work.

If you'd like firmer shifts, this would be a good time to add a shift kit and/or upgraded servos.

 

[Schurkey]

There's about six hundred potential wear-points in the '700 trans. The Sonax catalog has aftermarket "fixes" for them. It's just mind-boggling how much stuff "can" be upgraded, and the number of places you need to check for wear.

There's about two hundred engineering upgrades across the '700 model years. Your '89 trans should have the most-important ones already installed.

Both times the trans in my '88 K1500 has been overhauled, the planetaries were junk. Broken teeth, missing roller bearings--total scrapmetal.

 

[tayto]

calibrating your dipstick and keeping the transmission at the proper fill is far more important than fluid brand

 

[DixieWASP]

^X2. GM recommends Dexron 6 now, but the automatics in these trucks originally came with Dexron 3 so either one will work.

If you'd like firmer shifts, this would be a good time to add a shift kit and/or upgraded servos.

I do want a firm shift but not a harsh shift since my truck will be a daily driver. Currently, the two to three shift is slow and feels like it is slipping.

 

[DixieWASP]

There's about six hundred potential wear-points in the '700 trans. The Sonax catalog has aftermarket "fixes" for them. It's just mind-boggling how much stuff "can" be upgraded, and the number of places you need to check for wear.

There's about two hundred engineering upgrades across the '700 model years. Your '89 trans should have the most-important ones already installed.

Both times the trans in my '88 K1500 has been overhauled, the planetaries were junk. Broken teeth, missing roller bearings--total scrapmetal.

I had not heard of Sonnax until I read your reply. Thanks for telling me about the company.

This article is interesting and should help me.

700-R4 (4L60) Performance Transmission Build Guide

700-R4 (4L60) Performance TransmissionIntroduced in 1982, the 4-speed Overdrive GM 700-R4 transmission — also known as the 4L60 — remains a popular option for s

www.sonnax.com

 

[Erik the Awful]

Oklahoma Transmission Supply is the best place I found for parts when I rebuilt mine. They beat RockAuto's prices, and they carry all the Sonnax bits as well as Raybestos high friction clutches.
www.otsparts.com

Pay very close attention to the direction the seals are installed when you perform your teardown, and make lots of notes! For all my searching, I couldn't find references that say which direction the seals go, and it's critical.

There are lots of crappy "700R4 Rebuild" books out there that only have 10% of the information you need.

"Rebuild" kits only have about 10% of the parts you need. I bought parts about five different times as I found more stuff broken, and having to buy something on a separate order cranks up the RockAuto costs. I paid about $700 total for my parts, and if I'd just bought once from OTS (I can drive to their store), I probably would have only spent about $550. This was a couple years ago, so your inflation may vary.

Here's what I ended up buying:
Rebuild Kit - Pioneer 750033 - $40.89
High Friction Clutches - Raybestos RCP96087 - $35.79
Steels Assorted - $44.47
Line Pressure Booster Kit - Sonnax 700R4-LB1 - $14.88
Extra-Wide Kevlar Band - Sonnax 77700-01K - $29.79
Hardened Sun Shell - Sonnax 77749-02K - $80.79
2nd Gear “Corvette” Servo Kit - Sonnax 77701-04K - $24.79
Super-Hold Servo Kit Sonnax - 77767K - $50.89
5-Planet Reaction Carrier - AC Delco 24241244 - $230.99
Overrun Clutch Spring Plate - GM Genuine 24206085 - $5.20
Case Vent Tube - GM Genuine 24202440 - $5.47
Filter - Raybestos 515700 - $14.13
Oil Pan - GM Genuine 8667545 - $17.48
Valve Body Separator Plate - $16?
Bushing Kit - $17
Line pressure valve c-clip - $1?

 

[DixieWASP]

Oklahoma Transmission Supply is the best place I found for parts when I rebuilt mine. They beat RockAuto's prices, and they carry all the Sonnax bits as well as Raybestos high friction clutches.
www.otsparts.com

Pay very close attention to the direction the seals are installed when you perform your teardown, and make lots of notes! For all my searching, I couldn't find references that say which direction the seals go, and it's critical.

There are lots of crappy "700R4 Rebuild" books out there that only have 10% of the information you need.

"Rebuild" kits only have about 10% of the parts you need. I bought parts about five different times as I found more stuff broken, and having to buy something on a separate order cranks up the RockAuto costs. I paid about $700 total for my parts, and if I'd just bought once from OTS (I can drive to their store), I probably would have only spent about $550. This was a couple years ago, so your inflation may vary.

Here's what I ended up buying:
Rebuild Kit - Pioneer 750033 - $40.89
High Friction Clutches - Raybestos RCP96087 - $35.79
Steels Assorted - $44.47
Line Pressure Booster Kit - Sonnax 700R4-LB1 - $14.88
Extra-Wide Kevlar Band - Sonnax 77700-01K - $29.79
Hardened Sun Shell - Sonnax 77749-02K - $80.79
2nd Gear “Corvette” Servo Kit - Sonnax 77701-04K - $24.79
Super-Hold Servo Kit Sonnax - 77767K - $50.89
5-Planet Reaction Carrier - AC Delco 24241244 - $230.99
Overrun Clutch Spring Plate - GM Genuine 24206085 - $5.20
Case Vent Tube - GM Genuine 24202440 - $5.47
Filter - Raybestos 515700 - $14.13
Oil Pan - GM Genuine 8667545 - $17.48
Valve Body Separator Plate - $16?
Bushing Kit - $17
Line pressure valve c-clip - $1?

I thank you for giving me this information.

 

[tayto]

don't get suckered into gimmick clutches/bands and other unnecessary parts.

use the stock 4l60E borgwarner "high energy" clutches for the 3/4 clutch pack. i can send you a list to build your own 7 clutch stackup. run clearance: 0.020"-0.045"

use the stock 4L60E BorgWarner "high energy" band. you do NOT need a "wide" band and definitely avoid anything with kevlar in it. servo pin travel: 0.060-.080". you may need to get a longer pin and grind it down by hand. clearance can be checked with a dial indicator the fancy GM tool is not needed. make sure your drum is flat if not get a new one.

these clearances are no where near stock. do not use stock clearances in these locations. if someone says they are too tight, run!

you can also retro in the 4L60E tubular steels in the reverse/input drum and the low/reverse clutchpack. Less parasitic drag.

stock clutches in the rest of the clutch packs are fine

I would definitely run the corvette servo, transgo or sonnax sells then. you do not need an aftermarket/billet servo. i like the LB1 pressures regular from sonnax. 700r4/4l60es respond well to more pressure.

don't waste your money on a "shift kit" i can give you suggestions on how to modify your separator plate for firm (not harsh) shifts that will make your transmission live longer if you are interested

I helped another user here with hia rebuild:

4L60E rebuild. What did I get myself into...? :P

It looks like I'm in for an adventure. Having to fork over 3.5k for a shop to replace the transmission was just a bit too expensive as this is not a showroom piece, its a bush beater and occasionally daily driver. The other option is to buy a used one for $500-700 of questionable history and...

www.gmt400.com