Tranny help!

[Topher-x-01]

Hey all! Brand new to the board and this is my first post!
I have a 79 chevy 4x4 and i just bought an 86 2wd black that I was going to swap bodies on because the body on the 79 is garbage... buuuut....
I cannot part out the 86 i like the actual truck too much! So it is now my new project..

Now to my question... The 86 came from the factory as a 3 speed... but it has since been changed to a 700r4...
What 700r4's will bolt right in? I have someone who has a good driving 700r4 out of an 86 camaro.. will that bolt into my 86 2wd truck?

I know that the 4wd and the 2wd trannies are NOT compatable.. Which sucks because I could get a free 4wd trans from a friend...

Anyways, what trannies should I look for?

Thank you guys!
Looking to spend a lot of time here!
Chris

[lindstromjd]

Welcome to the board!!

Any GM v-8 transmission will bolt right up to your engine. You just have to make sure you get the matching torque converter for a 3 speed vs a 4 speed automatic. They have different number of splines on their input shafts. So the 700r4 from the camaro will work as long as it's not a v-6 car. They have different bell housings.

[Topher-x-01]

the 700r4 from the camaro is mated to a 305 right now... asking $300 for both... I only need/want the trans, ha! he says the car ran and shifted fine....

[lindstromjd]

Yup, it'll work then. What else are you planning on doing with your truck? Was the transmission bad and needs replacing?

[Topher-x-01]

Yeah I just posted a new thread post introducing myself and a pic of it... I bought the 86 as a parts truck basically the body and interior for my blue 79 4x4, but i like the black one so much i cant tear it apart... I bought it with a bad tranny only 1st gear works..
I would like to just drive it around while I learn and start to build up my first motor, i want to make the truck a nice street truck, i love the stance and everything it already has

[lindstromjd]

Gotcha. I just noticed your intro post with pics. Nice trucks!! And yeah, in your case, the camaro transmission will bolt right in, no mods necessary at all. Even for 300 for the engine and transmission, that's one hell of a deal. I'd say get it and turn around and sell the 305.

[Topher-x-01]

yeah hopefully the guy e-mails me back! 5 hour drive though and its supposed to snow again... but $300 for a 305 and 700r4 that "ran great" when pulled sounds good to me!

[spudz]

GET THE FREE ONE!!!!! You can use a 4x4 trans.... same thing just different output shafts.. swap the output shaft out of your old burnt up 700r4 into the good 4x4 trans... takes like 15 minutes. Only costs a pan gasket and front pump gasket. I do it all the time but usually the other way around since usually 4x4 trans cost more I buy the cheaper 2wd units and swap the shafts...

[gnstalodz]

oh sorry... i misunderstood your thread topic. GL

[spudz]

oh and if you buy the camaro transmission, they got a funky tail shaft to accomodate the torque arm they use. You can swap the one off your old trans onto it if need be but it may not be a problem.

[lindstromjd]

Originally Posted by spudz

GET THE FREE ONE!!!!! You can use a 4x4 trans.... same thing just different output shafts.. swap the output shaft out of your old burnt up 700r4 into the good 4x4 trans... takes like 15 minutes. Only costs a pan gasket and front pump gasket. I do it all the time but usually the other way around since usually 4x4 trans cost more I buy the cheaper 2wd units and swap the shafts...

Hmm... never knew that. I'll have to remember that in the future.

In that case, if it comes with a round pattern transfer case, you should give it to me!! Lol.

[spudz]

Originally Posted by lindstromjd

Hmm... never knew that. I'll have to remember that in the future.

In that case, if it comes with a round pattern transfer case, you should give it to me!! Lol.

I will be doing to swap soon for my k5 so stay tuned for a HOW TO..

[baclay9]

When buying an engine or trans that is not in a car you should always assume it needs to be rebuilt when you buy it IMO. There is no way you can test it so they can tell you whatever they want to. I would factor that in when you go to buy it.

[Altec]

Originally Posted by baclay9

When buying an engine or trans that is not in a car you should always assume it needs to be rebuilt when you buy it IMO. There is no way you can test it so they can tell you whatever they want to. I would factor that in when you go to buy it.

I agree. When buying stuff like that I'd always assume the worst.

Five hour drive for a unknown condition transmission, and a motor that isn't worth much doesn't sound like a deal to me.


What is the free one? a 700?

Edit,

Have you considered trying to rebuild the 700 you have? You can get a rebuild kit for less then the cost of the 305/700. Not sure if it is something you are interested in doing though.

[thesickc10]

there is an 1/8 difference between a th350 and a 700r4. if i remember correctly the crossmember has to be moved two inches? im not certain though

[Topher-x-01]

the free 700r4 is from a 4x4... but the 700r4 from the 86 camaro is $175.. guy pulled it and the 305 out of the camaro to put in his jeep but after realizing the huge amount of effort to swap into his jeep he gave up to a different project.....

[motornut]

seems like a good deal but before you go
ask for pics......to check it out for fit what ever
maybe he still has the car......got under side pics?
see if you can tell how long it's been out
rust,on connecting bolts,grass growing up around it,snow blowing threw it?
i just sold my 87 350 block for 200
he just checked/wanted it (crank)to rotate said it was gona be rebuilt anyway

[BigBlocksRule]

The better 700's have a casting line that runs right through one of the coolant connector bosses, can't miss it. I think '89 - '92 are the ones to look for.
The good thing is that 700's are not really expensive to rebuild.
Step up to a 4L80E and things change, kinda like owning a Corvette when you go to the tranny shop - you can see the $$$ signs spinning in the mechanic's eyes!