stock 700r4 issue

[1ndatrunk]

Ok, so here I am again with a problem. You guys have been really good sports a about answering my noobish questions, but I have more. This time in reference to some highway issues I'm having with my stock 88 Suburban.

TBI, 148k miles, unknown rear gearing, 350v8. I can't seem to get this thing to cruise down the highway in od at any speed higher than 55. Past 55 it just sounds like my engine is screaming down the highway and never goes into od. If I'm going slower than 60, it does ok, but with the SLIGHTEST bit of pressure it will drop down to 3rd gear. My gas pedal is also very tight at all positions. I was told it could be my tv cable being too tight or a dirty filter, but I wanted to ask you guys first before I throw money at the problem. I swapped my rear a month ago with an 83 suburban from the junk yard, but the RPO sticker was missing from the glove box, so gears are unknown

Could all of these issues be the cause of one thing, or are these all different problems? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[Greenlee]

Does it feel like it goes into neutral when it hits 4th or is it more like it's stuck in 3rd gear? I am wondering if you lost 4th gear. I had one that acted like it went into neutral and it would start coasting to a stop unless I manually shifted it down to first or second gear. It quickly lost all but first and reverse and I had to limp home in first gear.

[1ndatrunk]

It just stays in 3rd. It has power, and I can accelerate fine, I just can't get it to drop into od at any higher speeds over 60

[1ndatrunk]

Anybody else have any ideas?

[68Timber]

I don't but will bump it to the top. When I read the first post it made me wonder about the tv cable adjustment but only because I know its critical.

[1ndatrunk]

It's snowing right now, so I haven't had time to mess with the tv cable yet. I'll try that this week though

[eighteenninetytwo]

if you go to bowtie overdrives website they have some good information and FAQs on 700r4 trannys. I've been trying to study up prior to forking out cash. could be worth a look.

[leftybass209]

eighteenninetytwo beat me to the punch. I highly suggest bowtie overdrives website. Keep in mind though, when they explain things it is all under the assumption that you have a good working transmission with minimal to no wear. They have some pressures that you can test after you adjust your throttle valve cable and those pressures need to be relatively close to spot on, but I would doubt a well used transmission would be exact. That is not to say it won't function well though. I have a 700r4 with the bowtie overdrives setup and it really does make sense. While the stock setup has worked well in the past, BTO really takes the guesswork out of a well functioning 700. I'm glad I ran across this post because I'm actually going to go look at an 82 blazer today that has a 700 in it and this just helps refresh my memory. Been a long time since I've purchased a vehicle!