Get In Gear With A TCI 700-R4 - Tech

The last thing John installed on the trans before go time was the shift linkage U-bracket.

It was finally time to hoist the new trans up into place, but before John got the 700-R4 all the way into position, he paused to get the trans cooler lines started. When the transmission is in place, the lines don't offer much play, which makes it rather easy to cross-thread them to get them started in the fittings.

Once in place, John installed the bellhousing bolts. Only finger-tighten them until they are all in place, then tighten them down.

Next, John began bolting up the torque converter to the flexplate. Again, make sure all the bolts are in place before tightening everything up.

John installed the shift linkage to the U-bracket with a new cotter pin. Anything else that was disconnected during the removal process was reinstalled. By the way, when reinstalling the driveshaft, lube the transmission rear seal and the driveshaft yoke to prevent seal damage from the dry surfaces.

When it comes to installing the TCI lockup converter, the red wire needs to be hooked up to 12 volts when the key is on. One easy source is the windshield wiper hot wire. (In case you didn't know, windshield wipers have 12 volts all the time when the key is on; they are started and stopped by a ground switch.) With the wires hooked up, run a vacuum line to the intake manifold.

Before John could fill the transmission, he had to install the new dipstick. Be very careful that the rubber seal doesn't ride up and over the ring around the bottom of the tube. John finds that if you place the seal about 3/4 of the way into the trans dipstick hole and then put some lube on the dipstick tube, you can get it done correctly, but it's not uncommon to make several attempts. Always double-check to make sure it is all the way in, because it's pretty easy to do it wrong, and in that case, it will leak. Once in, put about 5 or 6 quarts of ATF in before start-up, then add as needed.

When installing the T.V. cable, read the TCI instructions thoroughly and adjust the cable accordingly. After that, crank the Hagar and hit the road, rockin' down the highway at a cool 70!