{FORGED?} Re: I6 Humpster plan (700R4 vs AW4)

["Jeff Reeves" <jeffr@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Why would you have to change speedometers? All you would have to do is find
a speedometer cable with the appropriate ends on it to mate the original AMC
speedo to the output on the 700R4. As long as you have the correct (or
close) speedometer ratio gears in the transmission, the speedo should read
correctly. 
I wouldn't recommend trying to attach a 4L60 or 4L60E to the 4.0 setup. That
would likely be an unending nightmare. The simplest thing to do would be to
buy a stand-alone controller for this transmission from one of the
aftermarket hot rod suppliers. 
Using a 700R4 would be somewhat simple--all you have to do is fabricate a
way for the TV cable to attach to the existing throttle so that the shifts
are regulated. 
The 700R4 isn't too bad a tranny if you get one made @ mid 80s-up. The early
ones had some problems that were corrected on later models. They turned out
to be a durable and dependable transmission if taken proper care of. I've
had 3 GM trucks with a 700R4 and I've experienced both the good and the bad.
An extra oil cooler would definitely be a good thing--for ANY automatic
transmission. Heat is the enemy of these units.

Jeff Reeves
Auburn GA
79 Spirit GT
72 Javelin SST
69 Ambassador DPL 



Message-ID: <000001c51f04$c9219a40$0100a8c0@fred>
From: "Geoff Harrison" <geoff_h@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: I6 Humpster plan (700R4 vs AW4)
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 11:56:25 +1100

John, sounds like a good project. My 700R4 has done 190000 miles. Its only
had the pan off to change oil and filter. A bit jerky on 1st to 2nd at times
(mid throttle) The direct drive clutch is showing signs of wear. Previous
owner pulled a horse float at times. When I got it the trans oil had been
simmered. Suggest you fit an oil cooler. Speedo could be a problem. Maybe a
GM speedo will fit in AMC dash. Tom Jennings method of restoring gauges
would be a way of duplicating the AMC dial to GM movement.

The 4L60 tranny might be tricky to hook up to the 4L ECM.

Regards,


Geoff