Extremely informative. I've watched several of your video's now (and I've subscribed) and I'm very upset that I didn't run across these video's a year ago. You see, I've been battling a 3/4 upshift issue with my 700r4. There's a huge long story to go along with this, but I won't bore everyone here with it. Bottom line, the trans has been in and out of 2 different shops and nobody could figure it out. One shop told me it required a complete rebuild of the trans. I finally said 'okay do it' - but if it doesn't shift into 4th - I'm not paying. Got the trans back - still doesn't shift into 4th. This is the 2nd video of yours that I've seen you mention the 3/4 shift valve - and if it's installed backwards, you won't have 4th gear. I had to replay both of your video's AGAIN to confirm I just heard what I heard... Yesterday I went out to the garage - drained the fluid, dropped the pan, removed the Valve Body and pulled the roll pin on the 3/4 valve. SURE ENOUGH - installed backwards... UNREAL! 2 shops, full rebuild and nobody saw it... or they simply didn't have a clue to begin with. I flipped it around, stuck the roll pin back in - slapped it all back together, filled it with fluid and took a test drive. Presto Magic - it shifts into 4th. THANK YOU - without your video's this transmission was about to get thrown into the trash. I have several other questions for you now and would seriously like to figure out how we could chat/text/message outside of RUclips! :) KEEP UP THE GREAT VIDEOS! and again THANK YOU!
You're welcome, man! Glad one of my videos was able to help you solve the problem. It's the 3-4 relay valve that can sometimes get installed backwards and it's not all that well known but is a vexing problem if that's the cause as many will chase their tails trying to figure it out, lol. The main reason why I always mention it in my 700R4 valve body videos. Applies to the 4L60E as well...
Thanks, JReppenit. Unfortunately, that is almost always burnt 3-4 clutch pack in the 700R4s/4L60Es. You can try monkeying with the TV cable a bit but it almost certainly has to come out. A 'No 2-3 upshift' condition where the trans simply stays in 2nd gear and never attempts to shift into 3rd can either valve body or governor; I've even heard of TCC internal/external lock up kit issues causing no 2-3 upshift or 3-4 upshift but anytime one of these units shifts from 2-3 but you feel like you're in neutral it's 3-4 pack. You're really mechanically back-shifting to 1st gear since only the forward clutch pack is holding at that point but it feels like neutral given the vehicle's speed at the time the 2-3 shift happens.
Hi Nick, My 1992 4l60 valves are a bit different. As far as I know, starting in august 13 1991, the T.V. Limit Valve line up was modified: The valve was shortened, the spring was replaced for a big spring (similar to the Throtle Valve), the plug was discarded and the pin remained the same only. Since I am rebuilding my trans for use it in my 305 Firebird and I have the 2 T.V. Limit valve types (1986 and 1992), which one do you recommend as most appropiate for my car?: Use as a daily driver in the city. Speed between 0 to 50 mph and RPMs around 2.000 - 3.000 only. Thanks.
Hi Denis, they are different but the difference isn't material - either one will work as long as the valve is installed into its corresponding valve body and it isn't dragging or hanging up. That said, you cannot install a late (88+ 2nd design valve body) onto an earlier case (82-87) so if you are rebuilding your 1986 unit, use its valve body. If you're working on the later 1991 unit, keep that transmission's valve body with it. Hope that helps.
I have a late model 700r4 with the same valve body as the one in this clip. no tcc mechanical lock up, is it possible to convert this one int a hydraulic lock up.
Hi David, thank you for watching...You can convert to a mechanical TCC lock up by simply swapping the late VB for an early 82-87 valve body. While you cannot install the 88-93 valve bodies onto an early case, you can install an early valve body onto a late case. I do those early VB swaps onto late model 700 cases frequently for customers who don't want to mess with electrical or electronic TCC lock up kits and rather just use their right foot!
Very informative. The mechanical lock up is a neat thing though, giving you the flexibility of controlling it manually, and I understand it can engage from 2nd gear up. How would a shift feel with the TCC on? As a kind request - can you a similar video on the AOD valve bodies, as unlike the 700, the available literature on all of the design changes is very hard to come by.
Thank you, Shalash87. I may be getting in an AOD soon so will do several topical videos including a series of vids on those valve bodies so folks have the same level of understanding as with the 700r4s. Incidentally ill be publishing a deep dive segment about the specific changes and differences across all the versions of 700r4/4l60 valve bodies this weekend to the channel so be on the lookout for it. Will cover all the revisions to those bodies, interchangeability as well as corresponding spacer plate and case changes from 82-93.
If you use one of the stiffer lock up springs that come in the kit, it almost feels like having a fifth gear as rpms drop by a few hundred rpms and it’s definitely more noticeable compared to a factory converter lu strategy.
Hi Omar, thank you for watching. Given you have third and fourth, I'd suspect the band is slipping. Ill paste my response here from your thread on GMT400: Check servo inboard travel, shouldnt be more than .125. If the band is worn, it will slip in 2nd but 4th may be normal as both apply pistons are holding whereas in 2nd, only the 2nd gear apply piston is working/applying the band which grabs the rev input drum. You can possibly buy more time with a shift kit and corvette 2nd gear servo but more than likely, it's on borrowed time. After you checked servo travel, drop the pan and see if lots of burnt friction material is present. If so, put the pan back on with a few bolts and yank it out for overhaul.
That's funny about the NTV valve shooting out i have 86 valve body im cleaning and putting a shift kit in and i went take it out i forgot cover the hole that thing popped out bote and kanded on table behind me
Haha, yep...Have had a 4L60E 3-4 shift valve bore plug smack me in the face a long time ago because I didn't leave my finger over it when removing the retainer clip.
That's a good question. I'll be in the shop a for a little while so will compare the two valve trains side by side and reply back, letting you know later today/this evening.
By any chance would you know the length and diamter of the accumulator end plug? My took flight across the garage and I can find it anywhere. Ready to make a new one on the lathe
removing MTV upshift spring always recommended in sporty applications? (1979 Camaro - 500 HP) even in combo with Sonnax Sure Cure kit? mostly driven on street but sometimes I want to jenk the shit out of it.
Hi Max, I always leave it out for anything high performance as it allows you to hold in gear a bit longer to build rpms and get engines w/higher performing cams and higher stall converters into their power band which is where you want to be prior to shifting.
I got a 700r4 shifted fine at first. I went to enter interstate traffic and it shift 12 and neutral s out when it goes to 3 rd. I can drive if I drive in second
Extremely informative. I've watched several of your video's now (and I've subscribed) and I'm very upset that I didn't run across these video's a year ago. You see, I've been battling a 3/4 upshift issue with my 700r4. There's a huge long story to go along with this, but I won't bore everyone here with it. Bottom line, the trans has been in and out of 2 different shops and nobody could figure it out. One shop told me it required a complete rebuild of the trans. I finally said 'okay do it' - but if it doesn't shift into 4th - I'm not paying. Got the trans back - still doesn't shift into 4th.
This is the 2nd video of yours that I've seen you mention the 3/4 shift valve - and if it's installed backwards, you won't have 4th gear. I had to replay both of your video's AGAIN to confirm I just heard what I heard... Yesterday I went out to the garage - drained the fluid, dropped the pan, removed the Valve Body and pulled the roll pin on the 3/4 valve. SURE ENOUGH - installed backwards... UNREAL! 2 shops, full rebuild and nobody saw it... or they simply didn't have a clue to begin with.
I flipped it around, stuck the roll pin back in - slapped it all back together, filled it with fluid and took a test drive. Presto Magic - it shifts into 4th.
THANK YOU - without your video's this transmission was about to get thrown into the trash.
I have several other questions for you now and would seriously like to figure out how we could chat/text/message outside of RUclips! :)
KEEP UP THE GREAT VIDEOS! and again THANK YOU!
You're welcome, man! Glad one of my videos was able to help you solve the problem.
It's the 3-4 relay valve that can sometimes get installed backwards and it's not all that well known but is a vexing problem if that's the cause as many will chase their tails trying to figure it out, lol. The main reason why I always mention it in my 700R4 valve body videos. Applies to the 4L60E as well...
Excellent video. Real knowledgeable information eloquently presented ! Thank you!
Thank you for the view and kind words, Trevor!
Very well explained
Thanks, Carlos!
Great class well demonstrated thanks
You're welcome, Ricardo and thank you for watching!
Thank you form Bangkok,,,,,,,
You're welcome, and thank you for watching Kasems.
Great video. Would a no shift from second to third just hits like a neutral possibly be something stuck in the valve body?
Thanks, JReppenit. Unfortunately, that is almost always burnt 3-4 clutch pack in the 700R4s/4L60Es. You can try monkeying with the TV cable a bit but it almost certainly has to come out.
A 'No 2-3 upshift' condition where the trans simply stays in 2nd gear and never attempts to shift into 3rd can either valve body or governor; I've even heard of TCC internal/external lock up kit issues causing no 2-3 upshift or 3-4 upshift but anytime one of these units shifts from 2-3 but you feel like you're in neutral it's 3-4 pack. You're really mechanically back-shifting to 1st gear since only the forward clutch pack is holding at that point but it feels like neutral given the vehicle's speed at the time the 2-3 shift happens.
Hi Nick, My 1992 4l60 valves are a bit different. As far as I know, starting in august 13 1991, the T.V. Limit Valve line up was modified: The valve was shortened, the spring was replaced for a big spring (similar to the Throtle Valve), the plug was discarded and the pin remained the same only. Since I am rebuilding my trans for use it in my 305 Firebird and I have the 2 T.V. Limit valve types (1986 and 1992), which one do you recommend as most appropiate for my car?: Use as a daily driver in the city. Speed between 0 to 50 mph and RPMs around 2.000 - 3.000 only. Thanks.
Hi Denis,
they are different but the difference isn't material - either one will work as long as the valve is installed into its corresponding valve body and it isn't dragging or hanging up. That said, you cannot install a late (88+ 2nd design valve body) onto an earlier case (82-87) so if you are rebuilding your 1986 unit, use its valve body. If you're working on the later 1991 unit, keep that transmission's valve body with it.
Hope that helps.
I have a late model 700r4 with the same valve body as the one in this clip. no tcc mechanical lock up, is it possible to convert this one int a hydraulic lock up.
Hi David, thank you for watching...You can convert to a mechanical TCC lock up by simply swapping the late VB for an early 82-87 valve body. While you cannot install the 88-93 valve bodies onto an early case, you can install an early valve body onto a late case. I do those early VB swaps onto late model 700 cases frequently for customers who don't want to mess with electrical or electronic TCC lock up kits and rather just use their right foot!
Great video!
Thanks, Hybrid Muscle!
Very informative. The mechanical lock up is a neat thing though, giving you the flexibility of controlling it manually, and I understand it can engage from 2nd gear up. How would a shift feel with the TCC on?
As a kind request - can you a similar video on the AOD valve bodies, as unlike the 700, the available literature on all of the design changes is very hard to come by.
Thank you, Shalash87. I may be getting in an AOD soon so will do several topical videos including a series of vids on those valve bodies so folks have the same level of understanding as with the 700r4s. Incidentally ill be publishing a deep dive segment about the specific changes and differences across all the versions of 700r4/4l60 valve bodies this weekend to the channel so be on the lookout for it. Will cover all the revisions to those bodies, interchangeability as well as corresponding spacer plate and case changes from 82-93.
If you use one of the stiffer lock up springs that come in the kit, it almost feels like having a fifth gear as rpms drop by a few hundred rpms and it’s definitely more noticeable compared to a factory converter lu strategy.
My 90 c1500 has a 700r4 and the otherday coming out of traffic it wouldn’t go to 2 unless at 4000 rpms but 3and 4 go smooth could it be a bad tv cable
Hi Omar, thank you for watching. Given you have third and fourth, I'd suspect the band is slipping. Ill paste my response here from your thread on GMT400:
Check servo inboard travel, shouldnt be more than .125. If the band is worn, it will slip in 2nd but 4th may be normal as both apply pistons are holding whereas in 2nd, only the 2nd gear apply piston is working/applying the band which grabs the rev input drum.
You can possibly buy more time with a shift kit and corvette 2nd gear servo but more than likely, it's on borrowed time.
After you checked servo travel, drop the pan and see if lots of burnt friction material is present. If so, put the pan back on with a few bolts and yank it out for overhaul.
That's funny about the NTV valve shooting out i have 86 valve body im cleaning and putting a shift kit in and i went take it out i forgot cover the hole that thing popped out bote and kanded on table behind me
Haha, yep...Have had a 4L60E 3-4 shift valve bore plug smack me in the face a long time ago because I didn't leave my finger over it when removing the retainer clip.
Am I able to use a early 3-4 throttle sleeve in a 88+ valve body, will it function the same or be different
That's a good question. I'll be in the shop a for a little while so will compare the two valve trains side by side and reply back, letting you know later today/this evening.
By any chance would you know the length and diamter of the accumulator end plug? My took flight across the garage and I can find it anywhere. Ready to make a new one on the lathe
Hi Nathan, .560"
And .2 long?
.190. You're welcome.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it
Anytime, Nathan.
removing MTV upshift spring always recommended in sporty applications? (1979 Camaro - 500 HP) even in combo with Sonnax Sure Cure kit? mostly driven on street but sometimes I want to jenk the shit out of it.
Hi Max, I always leave it out for anything high performance as it allows you to hold in gear a bit longer to build rpms and get engines w/higher performing cams and higher stall converters into their power band which is where you want to be prior to shifting.
I got a 700r4 shifted fine at first. I went to enter interstate traffic and it shift 12 and neutral s out when it goes to 3 rd. I can drive if I drive in second
Hi Dan, thank you for watching...Unfortunately it sounds like your 3-4 clutch pack is wiped. Was this transmission recently rebuilt?