Fair price on 700r4 installed?

[msg]

If I had the know how I would do it myself, but rather than chance a screw up I am shopping for a 700r4 to replace the powerglide on my 66 with a 350.

I have been quoted $1600 for a rebuilt installed with a 12k or 12 mo warranty. Seem fair?

[tincan1966]

If that includes all necessary parts needed, including driveshaft modification/balancing, etc, that isn't too bad. Is that from a known trans shop or installer?

[LT1 Burb]

Seems fair to me but it isn't as easy as just bolting one in, you need linkage(Lokar), TV cable, driveshaft shortened etc.

[Indian113]

That's in the price range of what it cost me for the 64.

[67swb72klb]

thats a good price for a turn key install w/a warranty as long as it is a shop that does good work

[Indian113]

I feel that it was the best thing I've done so far to my truck!

[msg]

Good to know that its reasonable for turn key.
It's a local shop that has a great reputation, I used them before to do a front end power disc conversion and have been very happy with the work done.

He did say it would be a rebuilt 700r4 that would include everything needed, trans, fluid, cables, moving cross members, shorten the driveshaft, and dipstick mount.

Another question:

Is the powerglide worth holding on to?
Didnt want to just leave it with them if it were valuable. Might sell it.

[donthekawguy]

Thats a really good price. Keep the power glide drag racers still use them and you get a couple hundred for it.

[likaroc13]

I'm in the exact same boat, trying to decide what I wanna do. I have a Powerglide as well, except behind a 327. My dad's friend will be helping with the install when the time comes, but we gotta do some shopping around first. Told my dad to ask him what my Powerglide is worth as well. Just not sure if I wanna do the swap yet, or do some cosmetic work instead.
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[Indian113]

I got tired of hearing my motor WHINE at 65 mph. Now with my 3:73's and 28 inch tires it just floats along at 70 mph. Plus that 1st gear is a lot of fun at stoplights.

[msg]

Originally Posted by Indian113

I got tired of hearing my motor WHINE at 65 mph. Now with my 3:73's and 28 inch tires it just floats along at 70 mph. Plus that 1st gear is a lot of fun at stoplights.

Me too on the whining at 65mph and the 3.73. I'll be making an appointment soon to get this 66 riding smoother. Cant wait!

I'll see if I can sell the powerglide.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by msg

Me too on the whining at 65mph and the 3.73. I'll be making an appointment soon to get this 66 riding smoother. Cant wait!

I'll see if I can sell the powerglide.

Already swapped in a 3.08 five-lug rear to help with that issue, which is part of my dilemma. Let me know how much you get for the PG if you decide to sell. At least that'll give me an idea of what mine might be worth. Keep us updated on the swap.
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[Indian113]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Already swapped in a 3.08 five-lug rear to help with that issue, which is part of my dilemma. Let me know how much you get for the PG if you decide to sell. At least that'll give me an idea of what mine might be worth. Keep us updated on the swap.
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You might talk to a tranny shop, I feel with a 3:08 the 700R4 may be to much overdrive. The Turbo 400 might work better for you. I could be wrong though somebody smarter than needs to speak up!

[gimmy 64]

with 3:08 JUST GO FOR A TURBO 350. WAY CHEAPER AND WONT LUG.sorry out the caps

[61_FL_Apache]

If you are going from a power glide to a 700r4, don't you have to have the driveshaft and cross member modified? Also, are they going to hook up a way to lock up the converter too?

I have been researching this too..

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

with 3:08 JUST GO FOR A TURBO 350. WAY CHEAPER AND WONT LUG.sorry out the caps

I have this setup now, but I would like to have an OD someday.. Im going with some taller tires in the rear next time to get that for now.

[63ChevC10]

For what it's worth, I have a 700R4 in my chevelle. It has 3:73 and I'm doing around 2200 at 70mph. It's great. And, as stated above, first gear is a lot of fun!

[Captainfab]

IMO a 3.08 gear is too high to make good use of an overdrive trans. Running in OD at anything below 65-70 will be lugging the engine too much and your MPG will likely suffer. It also depends on what diameter tires you are running.

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Already swapped in a 3.08 five-lug rear to help with that issue, which is part of my dilemma. Let me know how much you get for the PG if you decide to sell. At least that'll give me an idea of what mine might be worth. Keep us updated on the swap.
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[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Indian113

You might talk to a tranny shop, I feel with a 3:08 the 700R4 may be to much overdrive. The Turbo 400 might work better for you. I could be wrong though somebody smarter than needs to speak up!

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

with 3:08 JUST GO FOR A TURBO 350. WAY CHEAPER AND WONT LUG.sorry out the caps

Originally Posted by Captainfab

IMO a 3.08 gear is too high to make good use of an overdrive trans. Running in OD at anything below 65-70 will be lugging the engine too much and your MPG will likely suffer. It also depends on what diameter tires you are running.

Thanks guys, yes that's what I've read. I've also read about some folks using that combo with no probs. I guess it's safe to say a gear swap might play into the equation if the current setup won't work.

Hey Captn, what tire diameter should I be looking at if keeping 3.08s? I was planning to get new tires eventually anyway.
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[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

IMO a 3.08 gear is too high to make good use of an overdrive trans. Running in OD at anything below 65-70 will be lugging the engine too much and your MPG will likely suffer. It also depends on what diameter tires you are running.

^^^^what he said^^^^I bought a car with overdrive and a 3.08 gear...engine lugged.....12 mpg......i changed to 3.55 gears and mpg went to 20mpg....

[msg]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

If you are going from a power glide to a 700r4, don't you have to have the driveshaft and cross member modified? Also, are they going to hook up a way to lock up the converter too?

I have been researching this too..

I was told the drive shaft and cross member modifications will need to happen and were included in the price. I will ask about the lock up for the torque converter. I did ask if the torque converter was included and was told it would be.

[LT1 Burb]

I just swapped out my 3:08 rear gears in my burb because it sucked with the 700R4. Went to 3:73's and it is way better, now it is in the power band on the freeway at a normal speed, ie ,under 80 mph.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I had 3.08's with my sb. Seemed to lug like said. I bet the 3.55's would be better. I also used to lock the converter with a switch and was able to do this in 3rd gear also. I am going to see how a 700R4 works with 3.08's behind my BB.
I was running 3.73's in my 4x4 with 700R4 but had 32" tires. It was deifinatly better then the TH350 and gas mileage grew about 4 mpg. it was a 79 K10.

[likaroc13]

Okay, so I have a Facebook mutual friend who hangs with folks from my old car club. I saw where he posted that he'd just installed a 700R4 into his square-body C-10. Out of curiosity I asked what rear end gear, & he said stock 3.08's. So I explained about comments I've read/heard about this combo. He said he could already tell me that it was good around town but hadn't yet been on the highway. Well, today he made about a 1.5 hour road trip to a car show. So I inquired again about how it did on the highway. He said he kept it between 65-70MPH & was running 1800-2100 RPM. He said he didn't even use a 1/4 tank of gas on the trip there & back. So I also asked about tire size, to which he replied that he's running 235/75/15's.

Is there something I'm missing? Because that seems pretty good to me, & I've read of a few other positive results. Yet I also read conflicting info saying the 700R4/3.08 combo is not ideal. I'm beginning to think this is just something I'll have to experience through trial & error when the time comes.
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[Chevy Fleetside]

I was ok with it and will run 3.08's again. I think the engine I had it behind wasn't very good.