454 Chev to a 700R 4?

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

454 Chev to a 700R 4?

Rochie · LONDON, ONT

Hey Steve,
that's a tough one. I wanted to say 168 tooth for the engine, because of the starter mount hole location, but I don't know if the 700 bell is big enough for a 168. The 700 in my 57 has a 153 tooth plate. Can you mock up the converter in the 700 and see if the 168 will fit?

Seeker1056 · DOURO, ONT

I will be doing this swap over the winter - I am told it is a bolt in over at the Chevelle forum I am on

let me know how you make out

poncho62 · ADMINISTRATOR

Early 90s pickups came with a 454 and 700R4, so I imagine a flex plate from one of those would be the ticket

2drpost · KETTLEBY, ONT

just be sure you use a 454 flexplate, 454s were externally balanced

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

This is what you need..

Flex Plate

bc.cbi?cbdid=4268807870021070922&wdid=1505075094761579602

Part Number: BK 6005017

Product Line: Balkamp

Attributes:

# Flex Plate Teeth : 168

Balance Weighted : Yes

Crankshaft Diameter : 2-1/2"

Flex Plate O.D. : 14 1/8"

Manufacturer : Pioneer Automotive Industries

Manufacturer Part Number : FRA-111

Warranty:
Warranty PDF

Important Information:w/ 168 Teeth
w/ Balance Weight

Have questions about this item?Call your local NAPA. Enter your zip code to find a store:

Buyer's Guide:For a list of specific cars that this part is compatible with, please visit our Buyer's Guide.

Purchase Item

Enter zip and select a store for pricing

Not in a rush?Buy it online and ship it to me.

-- Edited by fatchuk on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 05:39:25 PM

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

Wouldn't the 168 and 153 flex plate be the same size? just smaller teeth?
The starter is in the same location for either.

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

Thanks guys! Fatchuk-I will order the part this week using that part #.I will let everyone know how it goes.

henrys57wagon · WOODLAWN, ONT

I'm using a 168 flexplate on my 396 for my 700R4. Also using a 96 350 truck starter.

-- Edited by henrys57wagon on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 09:09:53 PM

Hog · WOODSTOCK, ONT

poncho62 wrote:
Early 90s pickups came with a 454 and 700R4, so I imagine a flex plate from one of those would be the ticket

The early 90's truck with 454's came with a thm-3l80/400 3 speed auto, then in 1991 all 454's came with the 4l80E trans. even the 1/2 ton 454SS got the 4l80e and 255hp with 4.10 gears from 1991-1993. The 90 454SS got the thm-400 and 3.73 gears with the 230hp TBI 454.

454 with a 700r4 will not stand abuse whatsoever.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

jarvis1 wrote:
Wouldn't the 168 and 153 flex plate be the same size? just smaller teeth?
The starter is in the same location for either.

teeth pitch and dia are the same 168tooth is 14" 153 is 12 3/4" so the starter gear will work on both its just the way they mount the starter that will be different the gears and teeth have been standard since the switch to 12 volt. Parts can be mixed and matched between the other changes they made to get you where you need to be. I know this apples to fly wheels since the 153 came out in 63 Im not sure if they used 1standard flex plate if they did it would be the 168 ?

-- Edited by slim on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 11:36:47 PM

69SS454 · MILTON, ONT

Hog wrote:
poncho62 wrote:
Early 90s pickups came with a 454 and 700R4, so I imagine a flex plate from one of those would be the ticket
The early 90's truck with 454's came with a thm-3l80/400 3 speed auto, then in 1991 all 454's came with the 4l80E trans. even the 1/2 ton 454SS got the 4l80e and 255hp with 4.10 gears from 1991-1993. The 90 454SS got the thm-400 and 3.73 gears with the 230hp TBI 454.
454 with a 700r4 will not stand abuse whatsoever.

All my research came to the same conclusion. I went with a 4L80 full manual (no E) but I am also close to 600hp/TQ.

Seeker1056 · DOURO, ONT

I beg to differ - we have used the 700r4 for truck pulling, with no issues at all - that's 500+ hp draggin 32 ton down a 300' clay track

It just needs to be built correctly

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

I have heard many differing opinions on 700R4s. I had one in my G20 van behind a 350 and pulled many a heavy load on both truck and trailer with no problems for over 100,000 miles. I plan to leave the 454 stock and the 700R has extra clutches . Its going into a heavy car to make a good highway cruiser. Im looking for the torque more than HP.

Seeker1056 · DOURO, ONT

just put in the good shift kit that make the line pressure full pressure at all times, and then the cable only operates as passing gear
no more worries about variable line pressure from the TV cable

you will never have a problem after that

Hog · WOODSTOCK, ONT

Full line pressure all the time, not such a great driving experience.

Question
On your pull truck, does the trans ever see 3rd?

Seeker1056 · DOURO, ONT

guess that depends on how you define driving experience lol - I like hard shifts

yes - we drove the truck to and from the pulls so not only drive but over drive

Hog · WOODSTOCK, ONT

Seeker1056 wrote:
guess that depends on how you define driving experience lol - I like hard shifts

yes - we drove the truck to and from the pulls so not only drive but over drive

I like hard shifts too, but part throttle shifts not so much.

Sorry, I thought it was the actual pull truck, as in truck/tractor pull.

RacerRick · TORONTO, ONT

The two weakest points in a Th700R4 is the overdrive and TV cable. If you drive it gently in overdrive it will last, and make sure the TV cable is setup correctly.

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

I was told that the TV cable should have about 1/4 in of travel left at full throttle. Is that correct?

Seeker1056 · DOURO, ONT

Hog - it was an actual truck pulling truck lol - lots of them are stil ldriven o nthe street to and from pulls cuz many cant afford trailers

Hotrod Steve - as I said earlier - if you go to a proper new style shift kit - the TV cable then only engages passing gear rather than modulating line pressure as well. Modulating line pressure was the downfall of these trannies

there is a procedure for adjustment - google it online - there are lots of thorough how to's online

58Chev · ETOBICOKE, ONT

Steve,
Make sure you have the right year of 700r4 >> http://texasz.net/allan_and_rosanne/Z-Car_Stuff/4L60/ID%20A%204L60.htm << Copy the link...

All you need to know about how to set up the 700r4 >> purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/techinfo/700R4p1.html

-- Edited by 58Chev on Monday 24th of November 2014 10:54:35 PM

studeshaker · BUCKHORN, ONT

bowtie overdrives has everything needed to do the swap. i plan on using one of their 200r4 - stage 3 set ups behind the 406 small block for my vette.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bowtieoverdrives.com%2Findex.shtml&ei=02R0VMSQLPLGsQSgvYDwDw&usg=AFQjCNFZoXJVBUR-MvH_czSt04G6zV3pEg&sig2=HSdXil8A27Q8m35vS-xoGQ&bvm=bv.80185997,d.eXY

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

Ive got the flexplate but have not fit it to the converter or engine-yet

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

OK-so I did the swap and the Cady is running great,just ironing out the bugs. I got the trans shifting good with the TV cable adjustments but now I have fluid coming out of the TV cable at the carb. What the ----? Blocked vent? Anybody?

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

The driving season is over and the 454 -700R4 swap into the cady worked well. She loves the hiway in overdrive lockup and gets great milage on regular gas. Now the rear end is getting noisey-time for a rebuild. Can anyone recommend a shop or person to do this in the Kitchener-Brantford area ?