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TV CABLE ADJUSTMENTS

Well, I think my truck shifting right, but I would rather err on the "safe" side considering this 1984 700r4 is a notably "weak" transmission.

I am assuming these things:

THE TV CABLE REGULATES THE PRESSURE ON THE CLUTCH PLATES

TIGHTER TV CABLE = MORE PRESSURE

MORE PRESSURE = LESS PLATE SLIPPAGE

LESS SLIPPAGE = SAFER FOR MY 700R4

So, if I slide the TV cable adjuster all the way "in" towards the firewall, and instead of MANUALLY cranking the throttle open, I press the FOOT PEDAL all the way down instead, shouldn't that be considered more of a "safe" setting - since the pedal might not actually be opening my throttle up all the way while driving?

If I do it the MANUAL way, aren't I risking pulling the adjuster too far out, and ending up with the possibility of a loose TV cable that is not getting pulled tight enough, and then risking clutch plate slippage, and premature transmission failure?

From what I can tell about the way that the adjuster works, that it is impossible to set it too tight. It will always "click" the adjuster out one more notch (when the foot pedal is pushed while driving) if the cable is too tight. So with that being said, I can't really ever set my cable too tight (i.e. too safe), can I?

Am I on the right track here?

[occasionally]

UPDATE:

Great news!

The 27 spline torque converter fit perfectly onto the transmission, and onto the flexplate, and into the crank.

I swapped the transmission tailsections to make the speedometer swap easier. I ended up having to melt the brazing that was holding the metal speedometer gear onto the output shaft, and re-braze it onto the other transmission since they were different styles. (One was plastic, one was metal.)

All things considered, the swap went perfectly. Everything was completely interchangeable.

And guess what
THE $50.00 1984 TRANSMISSION WORKED WITH NO REBUILD!!!
This absoluely blew my mind. I thought for sure I'd be pulling it out and rebuilding it.

Not only did I get my 3rd and 4th gears back, but it will actually drive in 4th gear at 40-45 mph. Never had that happen in 4,000 miles of driving with the old tranny. Before, I could only occasionally get it into 4th gear, and I had to really get it up to speed before it would go. That is, if it would go.

Now, onto the supposedly highly important "TV cable" adjustment. I have questions.

I left the same cable that was on the 91 truck on there, I didn't swap it out. After hooking it up to the 84 transmission, I then hooked it up top. I decided to just leave the slider right where it was...without "pressing the release button" on the adjuster. When at full throttle position, I checked the exposed metal cable by pressing on it, and there wasn't any obvious extra cable slack to be pulled. This is how I've ran the transmission so far, and when on the road during the initial tests, the shifting and downshifting "feels right".

So, my question is, if everything is shifting and downshifting at what "feels to be" the right places, is everything ok? Or what mandatory things should I check for so I don't ruin the transmission? Does anyone recommend "pressing that adjuster button" and setting it (by opening the throttle all the way) to "set" it properly? Or is that not necessary if it's currently running right?

Another rumor I've heard is that it is better to have the TV cable to tight than too loose to be "safe". What exactly will an adjuster setting of too tight "feel like" when driving the truck during downshifts? (Or what will too loose "feel like"?)

Am I just paranoid about the TV cable?

Thanks Tony.

I kinda thought that it sounded fishy. I never talked to the parts guy myself, but I was totally baffled when I heard the false news that it would not fit.

So, based on this forum's feedback, I ordered up a converter for an "early" 1984 700r4 transmission (27 spline), and I'm gonna give it a shot.

Tony, your advice has been right on the money up to this point, so I have high hopes.

Nice having you guys around! I'll keep y'all updated on the progress.

Well, it turns out I got an "early" unit. The 700r4 I got is stamped as an 1984 model, and the torque converter from my 1991 was NOT interchangable...just as Tony warned me about. (The the transmission's shaft has 27 splines instead of 30.)

So, I had a friend stop in at the local "Advanced Auto Parts" store, and according to the guy there, they don't believe that simply ordering a 1984 torque converter (with 27 splines) will work because they said that it will not bolt up to the 1991 the flex plate. And on top of that, they also said that swapping out the flex plate will not help either because the "button" on the torque converter will not fit into the crank on the engine.

Does this all sound correct? Or is there a custom torque converter out there that someone builds that will fit? Or do I have any other options (other than changing the shaft in the transmission)?

Thanks Tony!

I'll look out for those things once I take a look and see what year tranny I picked up last night. I found out how to identify the tranny here:

http://p210.ezboard.com/f7387chevytrucks88686frm2.showMessage?topicID=1067.topic

I'll look at my numbers and count the splines, and if I find out that it's a really old one (83-84), then I may have more questions, but until then, thanks a ton for the feedback!

I have heard that there is difference between the 1983-87 700r4 and the 88-92 700r4 transmissions.

Right now I have a 1991 Chevy half ton 2wd truck with a 305 engine. The stock 700r4 transmission is in it, but gears 3 and 4 are gone, and I'd like to install whatever replacement 2wd 700r4 I find first.

So I was wondering, if I can find an "old" 700r4 to put in it, is there any modifications I will need to make to go back to the "old" version of the tranny? (Wire plug style, speedo hookup, tv cable length & bracket, housing style & gasket, drive shaft length, etc.)?

Or will everything be TOTALLY interchangable, and be able to be bolted right on?

I understand that the stock "new" style is more reliable than the stock "old" style, but I'm not concerned about that. I just want to know (for instance) if I find a good 1985 2wd Suburban tranny, if it will go right into my 1991 2wd half ton truck without any mods at all.