Hey gang

Below is a post from another forum . I thought I would bring it here to get some more input on the situation. I am discussing the Installation of a 700R4 Tranny into a 69 Camaro with a 350:


So my new transmission has been in for about two months and so far so good until Friday. I was driving to work and first and second gear felt normal but then it shifts into third and the car starts revving like the gear is not engaged. It feels like it catches a little bit. I have kept a constant watch on the temps of this transmission and it usually stays steady at around 160. On the Highway it climbs to 180 so hopefully it has nothing to do with heat.

flyboy
Cruiser


USA
45 Posts
Posted - April 28 2003 : 10:36:35 PM
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Update:

So I called Bowtie Overdrives to find out what the problem may be. The Guy tells me that it sounds as if I have burned up the third and forth gear. He said that is probably a result of the TV cable coming out of adjustment. Now I am starting to panic a little. When I adjust the cable originally I followed the instructions to a "t". You basically have to hook up a pressure gauge to the tranny and set the cable so it is right on the line where pressure increases if the cable is pulled. The difference that they were looking for was around two pounds. Let me tell you guys, that is a hard measurement to take. If you were to just look at the basic mechanics of the TV setup it seems pretty straightforward. Find the point and lock into place. Exactly what I thought I had done. Well according to BT it must have changed in two months and the result is a burned up gear. I know for a fact that the cable was no more than 2 millimeters max pull before that pressure jumped up but oh well. They told me that if I ship it back to them they would fix it and only charge me for the parts (no labor) I will still have to ship it to CA. and back which is $250.00 right out of the gate. So it looks like I will paying another $500.00. That feels real nice something maybe a kin to being the new pretty boy in prison. Then I still have to install it again and hope the same thing does not happen. Any suggestions on this would be more than appreciated.

By the way the F body gathering is going to be taking place in Atlanta I think May 23 thru 25.

http://www.fbodygathering.com/index.shtml

If any of you all plan on being in town let me know. We can talk shop face to face.



m-young
Gearhead


USA
910 Posts
Posted - April 28 2003 : 11:35:59 PM
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I hate to sound like an a$$, but man this sounds familiar. I'm not a professional trans. builder, but it sounds like a bunch of BS to me. I had posted about my dealings with BTO before and it sounds like they're still business as usual. MAN! This makes me feel bad.

My advice, give them one shot to fix it properly, then find out whoever is the local wizard on these transmissions that you can take it to if it happens again. I don't know what it is that these guys are doing that can't seem to hold up, but everybody I've known that has tried a BTO trans., ends up with the exact same problem you're experiencing, including your's truly.

The '81 Blazer that I put the BTO trans. in had the exact same thing happen twice, the first time I set up the T.V. cable with their guidance and it went out, the second time I had rechecked the cable(as per their demands) but it still opperated the same way they had first told me to set it up, and it went out again.

I decided not to take the trans. back again because at the same time a friend had put a BTO trans. in his Blazer and was having the same problem. His went out the first time and he called them up only to get the same answer that I(and you) got, he took the tranny out, ran it over to them, they rebuilt it(charging only for parts just as they did me) and told him how to adjust the T.V. cable, and he put it back in. In just a short time it went out again.

This time he took the truck to them and told them to fix it and adjust it correctly. This time they were going to charge him to do the work, but he figured if they adjusted it, then it should work. Now get this, he get's a call from them telling him that the trans went out on them while they were setting it up and it was his fault because of the carb, or bracket, or something that was on the truck, and that they wanted to charge him to take it out again and supply the parts AGAIN. He finally picked up the truck and took the trans somewhere else.

I don't know if it's bad form to be ranting like this, but I think you need to watch these guys. The guy that re-rebuilt the trans that BTO rebuilt for me told me they had used cheap parts and didn't do ALL the standard mods that the pro's do to these transmissions. That same trans is still in the '81 Blazer with the new guy's work and still working perfectly, without any changes to the T.V. cable from where it was set before.

I'm sorry about the rant, but it pisses me off when these guys take advantage of people. T.V. cables don't just arbitrarily come out of adjustment, I'd recheck it before you pull the trans. just to make sure it is still adjusted to where you set it when it was correct. I just think you need a heads-up on these guys.


quote:
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Originally posted by flyboy

I am with Beaumont-SD on this. I am glad you rant. I remember reading one of your post before on this subject. Unfortunately I had already purchased the Transmission so I could not really turn back from there. How much did it cost you to have someone else fix it? (If you don't mind me asking) I already have over $2200 in this project which is over what I had planned on spending. Now I am going to have to drop another $500+ with no guaranty. I wonder if I should just take it to someone locally and wash my hands of BT.

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I know what you mean. The guy I found is in the San Bernardino area and back when I had him work on the trans, late '90's, it cost $1150.00 including conv. His prices have gone up a little, but mainly to offset the increased cost in parts to him. If you can find a guy that can re-rebuild it and supply you with another conv., or send out the conv. you have to have it gone through, for around this amount you're doing pretty good. It sucks to add that kind of money on top of what you've already spent.

Maybe have a local guy look at how you have the cable set up before you take out the trans. If you can have some third party confirmation on wether it's set-up right or wrong, then you might be able to get some ammunition against BTO if it turns out you set it up correctly. It's going to turn into a big hassle if you pursue it so you'll have to weigh your options and see what will cost you less money, either taking it somewhere local that you can chase down to stand behind their work, or dealing with BTO and trying to get things resolved over the phone and paying shippng charges.

Good luck, I'm sorry to see you having to deal with this, I know exactly how you feel.

Mine just started to do the same thing but at wide open only. It shifts fine under normal driving and pulls hard in 1st and 2nd. It only has about 50 miles on it. I just fried my ignition module so when I get the new one on mon. If I can't figure it out I will call TCI

I was faced with this same dilema last fall. My torque converter in my TH350 of 12 years let go. I was always thinking a 700r4 was the direction I wanted to head.

I've spoken with the guy from BTO and their web site really has you convinced they know what they're doing down there - especially for the reasonable prices they're charging.

I ended up going with a local shop and we TALKED for nearly two hours discussing what would be done to my build. I also quizzed and challenged him with all the claims BTO (and other web sites) make about their product and whether they'd be included in mine. (heavy duty sprag, 10 vane pump, 7 or 9 clutches, billet servo, etc.)

During the course of the conversation, BTO's product came up specifically. In the most diplomatic way possible, he recounted his experience with their product: Exactly what's been stated above. Burnt up trannies, and when torn into, cheap parts and missing mods discovered.

I've had it about 6 months, it works great, and I've been able to take it back to them to make small adjustments to tailor it to personal preference.

It did cost nearly twice the "to your doorstep" price of BTO's best 700r4, but I'd hate to be on my own with something that hinges on such delicate adjustments.

Ozzie smile.gif

This is my first message. I registered today to ask about my transmission that I purchased from BTO. I bought a 200 4R from them with the TV made EZ kit. I set it up just as you guys have, with the TV cable locked in just as the pressure raises. The problem I am having is the transmission short shifts, and sometimes will not downshift even with the throttle pushed over 3/4 of the way down. I have ended up shifting the transmission manually. When I called BTO they were adversarial. I have decided to try to figure this out myself. After reading these posts I feel like I should pull the tranny and take it to a local shop. Any ideas on the short shifting? Is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

I have ended up shifting the transmission manually. When I called BTO they were adversarial. I have decided to try to figure this out myself. After reading these posts I feel like I should pull the tranny and take it to a local shop. What do you mean they were adversarial. Did they attempt to help you at all? How long have you had they tranny? I would take it up to the shop before you pull it out assuming the shop is somewhat close by. It may be something they can adjust right there or at least get a feeling for. This is so completely discouraging. I thought I was making a good decision by going with BTO but the more I hear from people it is not looking like I did.


Is there anyone out there who has had a good experience with Bow Tie Overdrives?

FYI:
My TCI Streetfighter 700R4 prices are....

lockup, #371000, $1235
non-lockup, #371060, $1425

Compare this to the big mailorder places
:D

This does not include truck freight, which lately has been in the $120-150 area tops.

email to save graemlins/thumbsup.gif

BTO claims their LEVEL 1 is equivalent to the TCI tranny, and BTO only charges $866, that is alot cheaper than a TCI Transmission price!! Plus they pay the first $100 shipping free!
I love my TCI TH350, don't get me wrong, but I am probably going to go with a BTO Level 2 200R4 in the near future.

I love my TCI TH350, don't get me wrong, but I am probably going to go with a BTO Level 2 200R4 in the near future.
I do not know how far away you are from BTO butI would seriously consider taking it to them to do the install. At least that way you can hold them accountable if the TV system is not set up correctly.

I have around two thousand miles on the transmission. The engine is a GM Goodwrench universal 350. About 250 HP. I installed the engine and transmission at the same time. About two years ago. The transmission should be able to handle this power compared to what some of you guys have. My chief complaint is the transmission shifts to early, and won't down shift when it needs to. I have tried adjusting the TV cable at the different positions possible with the TV made EZ kit. I can't tell any difference. The engine starts lugging so I shift maually. I also have a leak at what I'm assuming is the front seal. It isn't bad but it makes a mess. I installed the transmission myself. I tried to be very careful, especially when putting the torque converter on. I didn't want to damage the shaft seal. I have had plenty of experience with seals. But not with transmissions.
When I called for troubleshooting info it was in your face type stuff. "What did you do wrong when you installed it", not a "lets see if we can work through this".
I live two states away so it isn't just to run down to the shop and have them look at it. I would love to be able to brag about the service but that isn't the case. This is no ones fault but my own. I thought I had done good enough research into the product I was buying. I would rather pull the tranny before it breaks than wait until it does. Another thing I don't understand is on one of the previous posts was that BTO said the problem was from the TV cable becoming misadjusted. Did GM have this problem when they built the cars these were put in? Does the cable have to be continuously adjusted?
Please don't take this post as some angry rant. I'm just trying to figure out what is going on.

I have a BTO level 3 200. I installed it about a month ago. I'm having problems with shift points as well, but I'm finding them to be very helpful and friendly. I'm not an expert on these trannies, but have learned a few things along the way. There are two different systems that affect shift points - the TV cable and the governor. Mine originally shifted late from 2-3. A new governor made it shift too soon into OD. I'm hoping the governor I'm waiting on will be right.

One thing about BTOD is that you never know who you'll be talking to when you call. I've been dealing with Jayson (note the spelling) and ask for him every time I call. It lends a certain amount of continuity to the experience. He is very helpful and wants to make it right.

I've got a 700R4 from BTO. I have about 11,000 miles on it in my 64 Nova. Granted, it has a 6 cyl. in it, but I have had no problems.

Tim