87 700f4 not shifting

I bought me a 87 chevy with a bad transmission. before i go and get another trans I was wondering if this can be something else. the trans has reverse and first and second but will not shift into 3rd or 4th. the fluid doesn't smell burnt. and it doesn't seem to be slipping. The previous owner said they tried to miss with the detent cable but no change. The trans seams to have been replaced at one time cause it is painted blue and I know it isn't like that from the factory. Any help would be appreciated.

I bought me a 87 chevy with a bad transmission. before i go and get another trans I was wondering if this can be something else. the trans has reverse and first and second but will not shift into 3rd or 4th. the fluid doesn't smell burnt. and it doesn't seem to be slipping. The previous owner said they tried to miss with the detent cable but no change. The trans seams to have been replaced at one time cause it is painted blue and I know it isn't like that from the factory. Any help would be appreciated.

Check TV cabel adjustment for proper adjustment.
Make sure it has a double pull when you pull it.
Base adjustment is full pull wide open throttle.
1-2 shift at 15-20 mph.
2-3 at 28-32 mph.
3-4 at 45 up mph.
And make sure governor is working good.

And as always drop pan and check/replace filter and see what is in bottom of pan.

After these checks report back how it goes.

I'm not sure how to adjust the tv cable. right now the cable is tight without pushing the throttle. When I disconnect it it acts the same way it doesn't change the shifting.

I'm not sure how to adjust the tv cable. right now the cable is tight without pushing the throttle. When I disconnect it it acts the same way it doesn't change the shifting.


Dont bother with the TV cable, its not your problem. The 3-4 clutches are shot. This is common in the 700R4/4L60E transmission. Its time to tear it down and rebuild it.


transman

Dont bother with the TV cable, its not your problem. The 3-4 clutches are shot. This is common in the 700R4/4L60E transmission. Its time to tear it down and rebuild it.


transman
How difficult are these to rebuild? Can you suggest a place to buy a rebuild kit? The truck is going to be used for towing once in a while so I want it better then stock.

How difficult are these to rebuild? Can you suggest a place to buy a rebuild kit? The truck is going to be used for towing once in a while so I want it better then stock.

your asking about a repair of this is for me strange. since this is a 1987 vehicle why make major repairs that will cost over a thousand dollars. much more than this is worth.

Find a newer better MPG vehicle with more power . your throwing your money away.
the cheapest way to go is find a scrap yard tranny that works , and sell it for 800.oo if your lucky.

If you can rebuild transmissions/engines and are good at welding and body repairs having an old vehicle is possible. costs to operate something this old , and not being able to make repairs means time to part with it.

now if you had those skills , you would not be operating such an obsolete vehicle.

How difficult are these to rebuild? Can you suggest a place to buy a rebuild kit? The truck is going to be used for towing once in a while so I want it better then stock.

As in post 2 we need more info and test.
Also does it just refuse to shift or shifts and slips or spins out?
If it shifts and freewheells the clutches may be gone.
As Trans man posted
But if just no shift TV cable or TV valve may be stuck.

To get the 3-4 shift the TV cable has to be set right and working good.
I would hate to see you replace or rebuild it if not needed
Give us the info asked for in post 2 if you want help on it.

How difficult are these to rebuild? Can you suggest a place to buy a rebuild kit? The truck is going to be used for towing once in a while so I want it better then stock.

Well, they're not easy to rebuild and you do need some specialty tools to do it correctly. Since you are going to be towing with it, you are going to have to pay special attention to the 3-4's. Like I said before, they are a weak link in these transmissions. The 3-4 failure is what I see mostly in these transmissions, this is why I always upgrade them whether they are used for racing, towing or even just general street use. If you want to try to tackle it yourself you can purchase an ATSG manual. This will give you a general idea. Its always best to have someone who knows these transmissions to guide you because all builders have their own tricks of the trade things they do that you wont find in any book. As far as kits go, a master kit with Borg Warner clutches and band is a must. I usually Z-pack the 3-4's in towing and racing applications. Install 5 pinion planets and 29 element sprags for starters. Google automatic transmission parts in your area and let me know what you come up with and I can help you select what you need.


transman

your asking about a repair of this is for me strange. since this is a 1987 vehicle why make major repairs that will cost over a thousand dollars. much more than this is worth.

Find a newer better MPG vehicle with more power . your throwing your money away.
the cheapest way to go is find a scrap yard tranny that works , and sell it for 800.oo if your lucky.

If you can rebuild transmissions/engines and are good at welding and body repairs having an old vehicle is possible. costs to operate something this old , and not being able to make repairs means time to part with it.

now if you had those skills , you would not be operating such an obsolete vehicle.
The truck is in very nice shape, I love this body style this is the last year of this body style for the standard cab and it comes fuel injected. All my cars are older with the exception of my caviler. Ive got a 79 Monte Carlo, a 56 Chevy wagon and my truck. You see working on cars isn't a drag to me. I like fixing them up. Hey its a hobby.

The truck is in very nice shape, I love this body style this is the last year of this body style for the standard cab and it comes fuel injected. All my cars are older with the exception of my caviler. Ive got a 79 Monte Carlo, a 56 Chevy wagon and my truck. You see working on cars isn't a drag to me. I like fixing them up. Hey its a hobby.

since the vehicle is in good shape and you do most of the work get a scrap yard transmission. with the one removed thats broken , work on it and get some experience ..then when the scrap yard tranny dies put the rebuilt one in. get the manual and proper tools. having a person with some experience doing this would be good..

since the vehicle is in good shape and you do most of the work get a scrap yard transmission. with the one removed thats broken , work on it and get some experience ..then when the scrap yard tranny dies put the rebuilt one in. get the manual and proper tools. having a person with some experience doing this would be good..
Thanks for the advice, next weekend ill get one from the pick a part, there only 180.00

Yeah, sounds like the 3-4 bands are toast.

After you get scrap yard transmission, save your pennies for an FLT or Performabuilt transmission, either one will come with beefed up components. You can send your old trans in to them as a core so it doesn't cost you more money.

Yeah, sounds like the 3-4 bands are toast.

After you get scrap yard transmission, save your pennies for an FLT or Performabuilt transmission, either one will come with beefed up components. You can send your old trans in to them as a core so it doesn't cost you more money.
what do you think about getting a trans out of a astro van or safari van the guy at the pick a part says there the same thing even though there bolted up to a V6.

Should work fine as long as you keep the torque converter from the old trans and put it on the replacement one.

Well I got a trans from an 92 Chevy full size van for 169.00 at the pick a part. Put it in yesterday and the thing shifts beautifully and only has 78,000 miles on it. thanks for all the advice and info. Now Ive got to get a lottery ticket. I'm on a lucky streak.

Well I got a trans from an 92 Chevy full size van for 169.00 at the pick a part. Put it in yesterday and the thing shifts beautifully and only has 78,000 miles on it. thanks for all the advice and info. Now Ive got to get a lottery ticket. I'm on a lucky streak.

what you did is correct on a vehicle like this. repairing the removed transmission would be a good project since you are doing this type of work restoration.

the cost was a good deal. good luck with it.

replace the transmission fluid soon so that any contamination in the system is removed.

thanks for posting back.